Musical Theatre
Program Details
Students in the musical theatre major collaborate with professional theatres and theatre artists, produce incredible productions and benefit from a rigorous and diverse curriculum focused on musical theatre, acting and dance. Within this context, our students have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to be the next generation of successful, well-rounded and empathetic theatre artists.
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Musical Theatre major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- ENGL 101/115 ............ 3cr.
- PHIL 100............ 3cr.
- CORE 100 ............ 3cr.
- CORE 101 ............ 0cr.
- THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors............ 1cr.
- THTR 100: Introduction to Theatre............ 3cr.
- THTR 120: Acting I............ 3cr.
- DANC 201: Musical Theatre Dance............ 1cr.
- DANC: Ballet 1 ............ 1cr.
Spring
- THEO 111 ............ 3cr.
- CORE 102 ............ 0cr.
- Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors and THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio............ 1cr.
- THTR 221: Audition Process............ 3cr.
- DANC: Ballet 2 ............ 1cr.
- THTR 195: Voice and Movement Ensemble............ 1cr.
- THTR 199: Theatre Performance Workshop............ 1cr.
- DANC 301: Musical Theatre Dance II............ 1cr.
- THTR 150: Stagecraft............ 3cr.
Fall
- second language 1/2 ............ 3cr.
- Social Sciences Elective............ 3cr.
- THTR 205: Theatre History 1 / Oral Flag ............ 3cr.
- THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors............ 1cr.
- THTR 208: Vocal Health and Wellness for Actors............ 1cr.
- DANC: Jazz 1 ............ 1cr.
- THTR 219: American Musical Theatre............ 3cr.
- THTR 195: Voice and Movement Ensemble............ 1cr.
Spring
- second language 2/2 ............ 3cr.
- Lit and Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- THTR 206: Theatre History II/Writing Flag............ 3cr.
- THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors............ 1cr.
- THTR 209: Hearing for Musical Theatre Actor............ 2cr.
- DANC: Jazz 2 ............ 1cr.
- THTR 232: Advanced Musical Theatre............ 3cr.
- THTR 199: Theatre Performance Workshop............ 1cr.
Fall
- Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- Math Perspectives............ 3cr.
- THTR 196: Music Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors............ 1cr.
- DANC: Tap 1 ............ 1cr.
- THTR 250: Alexander Technique............ 1cr.
- THTR 211: Script Analysis............ 3cr.
- Acting II ............ 3cr.
- THTR 195: Voice and Movement Ensemble............ 1cr.
Spring
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Diversity Elective............ 3cr.
- THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors............ 1cr.
- DANC: Tap 2 ............ 1cr.
- THTR 250: Alexander Technique............ 1cr.
- THTR 198: Theatre Technology Workshop............ 1cr.
- Theology Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Flag............ 3cr.
- THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors............ 1cr.
- DANC: Dance Elective 1 ............ 1cr.
- THTR 199: Theatre Performance Workshop............ 1cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 1cr.
Spring
- ER&S Elective............ 3cr.
- THTR 460: Senior MT Thesis ............ 1cr.
- THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors............ 1cr.
- DANC: Dance Elective 2............ 1cr.
- THTR 199: Theatre Performance Workshop............ 1cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Xavier is known for providing an education that’s both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the musical theatre major at Xavier:
THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio - This recurring course offers Musical Theatre majors the opportunity to meet and interact with each other in a studio setting, under the guidance of a musical director and musical theatre stage director. Weekly meetings will be used to work and hone musical theatre acting and singing techniques, develop musical theatre repertoire as an ensemble, work on individual performance opportunities, and workshop with professional theatre artists.
THTR 208: Vocal Health and Wellness for Actors - Utilizing examples from and exercises based upon musical theatre repertoire, teaches techniques for keeping the vocal instrument healthy, reducing vocal and overall stress, and managing external factors such as performance anxiety. Presents a detailed look at vocal anatomy to foster a cross-genre approach to healthy, life-long singing.
THTR 209: Musicianship for Actors - This course will develop competency for musical theatre actors in music reading, critical listening, analytical understanding of the tonal language of musical theatre, and fundamental keyboard skills to develop aural competencies.
THTR 219: American Musical Theatre - This course explores the "Golden Age of Broadway," encompassing literature from the 1920's though the early 1960s, as a means to provide the student with a basic understanding of the origin of the American Musical Theatre. Students will develop a heightened sensitivity to nuance, attention to detail, and learn to approach the song through comprehension of the text.
THTR 221: Auditions - This course, through practical application, research, mock auditions and professional guest presentations, will develop skills, knowledge and experience that will enable the student to more confidently prepare and engage in the audition process.
Student Clubs
The following clubs and organizations are popular choices for students in the musical theatre major.
Toolbox
Toolbox is a student-led improvisation comedy troupe sponsored by the Xavier Theatre program. Featuring both long and short-form improvisation techniques, Toolbox performs multiple times throughout each semester.
A caBellas
These singers are a close-knit group of students who love performing a cappella music on and off campus. They sing a variety of songs ranging from old classics to pop music.
Harmon-X
Harmon-X is an a cappella group who's mission is to bring high-quality music to campus and beyond. Members practice three times a week for performances on campus and within the Cincinnati community.
Career Outcomes
98% of Xavier students, including those in the musical theatre major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduating.
Career Opportunities: Theatrical Design (lights, sound, set, costumes, video), Director, Actor (stage, film, tv, commercials), Stage Manager, Producer (theatre, film, tv), Talent Management, Education, Sales, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Communications Specialist, Broadcaster, Project Management, Event Management, Realty, Authors, Health Care, Fundraising
All For One
Professional Collaboration
From Tony Award-winners to artistic directors of professional theatre companies, students in the musical theatre major have the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry. Students also have the chance to participate in Xavier Theatre’s new play development collaboration with NYC’s Fault Line Theatre.
Student Success
Xavier Theatre produces a dynamic and diverse eight-show season, and all incoming students have the opportunity to be cast in productions, including leading roles. All students in the musical theatre major also create their own professional websites, helping them to get ready for their next steps after Xavier.
Focused Curriculum
With a focus on community and support, Xavier’s Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre trains students for professional work through a rigorous and diverse curriculum, including advanced courses in musical theatre, acting and dance.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Musical Theatre Major at Xavier University
Home to a passionate and talented group of students, faculty, staff and theatre professionals, Xavier University's Theatre program creates practical experiences and professional collaborations within its Theatre, Musical Theatre and Theatre Education degrees. With a fundamental focus on offering student opportunities, Xavier Theatre offers a dynamic and diverse production season of musicals, dramas and comedies, working with some of the most outstanding directors and designers across the country.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."