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    Feb 14, 2025  
2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide 
    
2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide

Musical Theatre, BFA

Location(s): Main Campus


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The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at Binghamton University is a four-year progression of classes that gives students a foundation in acting, singing and dancing: the three skills at the heart of this art form. In addition to performance courses in a wide range of techniques, students audition for mainstage and studio productions ranging from the classical to the contemporary, including musicals, plays and dance productions.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre is an intensive program designed for students intending to pursue careers in the musical theatre industry after graduation. The 76-credit program has substantial studio work in acting, musical theatre performance, and studio voice lessons, as well as classes in dance, musicianship (music theory, sight-singing, ear training, piano), theatre history/literature, and technical theatre. Musical Theatre BFA students are also expected to participate in the department’s active production season.

Students wishing to enter the Musical Theatre BFA program will need to speak with the Director of Musical Theatre before declaring the major with the Theatre Department’s Undergraduate Director. This typically occurs during the spring or summer prior to matriculating at Binghamton University, or during the first week of the fall semester of a student’s first year. Some slots may be available for students wishing to declare the major later in their first year of study at the university.

Program Requirements


University General Education Requirements


All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements


All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences  page for more information.

Restrictions on Double Majors


Musical Theatre BFA majors may not double major with the Theatre BA due to considerable overlap in the programs.

Major Requirements


Course Requirements


Students must fulfill the following requirements for the Musical Theatre major:

B. Music Courses (14 credits)


  • Two credits introductory music
  • Four credits in musical principles:
    • THEA 216: MT Musicianship I (1 credit)
    • THEA 217: MT Musicianship II (1 credit)
    • THEA 316: MT Musicianship III (1 credit)
    • THEA 317: MT Musicianship IV (1 credit)
  • Eight credits of voice training

C. Dance Courses (12 credits)


The following dance courses are required for all BFA majors:

D. Theatre History and Literature Courses (12 credits)


The following are required for all BFA majors:

E. Technical Theatre Courses (10 credits)


The following are required for all BFA majors;

Senior Thesis


The Department of Theatre views senior thesis as a reward for excellence in the student’s area of specialization. Students should discuss thesis availability with their advisors. Students are urged to declare their theatre major at an early date. This will enable them to plan their course of study carefully with the director of undergraduate studies.

Additional Information About the Program


Pass/fail grading option is not acceptable for the courses taken to satisfy the Musical Theatre major.

Residency Requirement: The Theatre Department requires that at least 28 credits be taken in residence. Of those 28 credits, four credits of technical practica must be taken in residence. It is possible to transfer any of the courses (including an introductory acting class) into the Department of Theatre, as well as practica and courses outside the major, up to the limit prescribed above. Dance classes must require at least 63 hours of in-class dance practice to transfer.

For more information on the Musical Theatre BFA program, please refer to the Theatre Department website. To apply to the Musical Theatre BFA program, please visit the University Admissions website.

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