Musical Theatre
About Musical Theatre
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Musical Theatre Performance concentration is a selective program offering comprehensive training for those students who wish to pursue professional performance careers. BFA students are required to take advanced courses in acting, voice and dance to achieve the level of performance proficiency expected in the Musical Theatre industry. These students are required to study Audition Techniques for the Musical Theatre; they are given additional private voice and dance instruction, and are immersed in a year-long capstone class that explores repertoire and refines their multi-disciplinary talents for the real world. BFA students are required to perform in at least one Columbia College Production each year.
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Musical Theatre concentration offers students fundamental training in Musical Theatre and facilitates exploration in additional areas of interest. BA students are encouraged to audition for Columbia Musical Theatre Productions and to declare a minor.
312.369.6100
Theatre Website
For Orientation
Music Assessment
Before arriving on campus, all Musical Theatre majors must complete the Music Theory Assessment (http://musicassessment.colum.edu/). The Theory Assessment helps us evaluate the level of musical knowledge and skills you bring as an incoming student in order to place you at the appropriate level of music theory coursework.
Whether or not you have studied music, this assessment serves as an important tool to help us determine your skill level. If you don’t have any background in music theory or don’t know how to read music, please work your way through as much of the assessment as you can.
All students should start by taking the Beginning Music Theory Assessment. You will have 40 minutes to complete the assessment. If you feel as though you didn’t perform at your best, you may take the exam one additional time after a period of 48 hours has elapsed.
Students who score 39 or above will be asked to participate in additional music placement activities at Orientation.
Dance Placement
At On-Campus Orientation
If you have formal training in ballet, jazz or tap and would like to participate in a dance placement, please arrive at Orientation with appropriate dance attire & jazz or ballet shoes. You will not be allowed to register for any other Musical Theatre Dance courses without an in-person placement.
If you have no prior formal dance training in ballet, jazz or tap, it is highly recommended that you enroll in Musical Theatre Dance for the Singer/Actor (31-1435). You do not need to participate in the assessment to register for this course.
For Transfers Only
All Musical Theatre students participate in a vocal performance assessment to ensure everyone begins at the best possible starting place for their experience. Transfer students must complete this portion ahead of their Orientation process by submitting an online video that meets the following criteria:
• A performance of a short song (32 bars) from the musical theatre repertoire that shows what you do well. You must sing with accompaniment – use of piano, guitar, or pre–recorded instrumental track are acceptable.
• If you have taken previous Acting courses for which you would like transfer credit, you must also include a monologue performance no more than 90 seconds in length. This piece should be from a role that is age-appropriate, performed without an accent or dialect.
• Please clearly say your name at the beginning of your video.
• If you have a headshot and resume – you may submit that as well.
To begin your submission go to https://colum.slideroom.com
For Distance Transfers Only
-If you have previous dance training and would like to be considered for dance placement, please include a short video of you in a dance performance. This video may be from a dance class or recent production and should be 60-90 second in length. If you have not had formal dance training, you may register for Musical Theatre Dance for Singer/Actor )31-1435) as a developmental elective
Recommended First-Semester Classes
For students beginning without any credits in Musical Theatre, we recommend you register for:
- 31-1225 Theatre Foundation: Performance
- 31-1325 Theatre Foundation: Performance Tech
- 31-1625 Theatre Foundation: Design & Comp
You may also choose ONE from the following 3 Choral Ensemble courses:
- 32-1800 Columbia College Chorus
- 32-1801 Gospel Choir
- 32-1802 Jazz/Pop Choir
New Students will be placed into appropriate Music and Dance courses in person at Orientation. Students participating in Distance Orientation will not be permitted to register for upper-level classes without an in-person placement.
