Theatre: Musical Theatre, B.A. - COLA, UNH

The Theatre Major: Musical Theatre Option at UNH offers a comprehensive education in musical theatre performance and history. Our program seeks to train actors who sing and dance, with classes in acting, voice, and various dance styles as well as a full musical theatre performance curriculum. Students also gain hands-on experience through required practicums and opportunities to perform in mainstage shows, student showcases, musical theatre studios and cabarets. Students in the program enjoy focused training in musical theatre, including a senior showcase and opportunities to create professional contacts with guest artists and through student trips to the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), all while earning a well-rounded theatrical education under the liberal arts umbrella of the university. Students can also take advantage of study abroad trips and practical internships.

From Broadway to cabaret, musical theatre is a genre that continues to captivate generations by combining acting, song and dance. In this Theatre degree program at UNH, you’ll develop and refine your talents in performance, movement, and voice while also studying the history of theatre and musical theatre. Our program gives you a well-rounded experience for future work in theatre, affording the opportunity to perform in faculty- and student-directed productions while also gaining hands-on experience through audition courses, visits from guest artists, and student showcases and trips.

In addition to our award-winning faculty, the UNH Department of Theatre and Dance offers numerous performance opportunities every year in musicals, plays or dance concerts, including student productions. Our students get opportunities to ease into the professional world through experiences in class and in our curriculum. Our January Term study-abroad program offers a 10-day experience of London theatre, and we partner with Actor’s Connection in New York City to provide a senior showcase for industry professionals before students graduate. 

Contact Tom Alsip, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-3288.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

In the freshman and sophomore years, students should enroll for at least two major and two Discovery courses per semester.

The minimum grade requirement for major courses is C- per course. Any grade lower than C- will not count toward the major.

The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.

Under department policy, students who complete both COMM 401 American Sign Language I and COMM 502 American Sign Language II satisfy the bachelor of arts language proficiency requirement.

All majors must take courses in the following areas: performance, design/theatre technology and theory/history as well as fulfill between four and eight practicums and complete a capstone course.  Although timing will vary with each option, it is strongly suggested that all introductory courses be taken prior to the end of the student's sophomore year. Students must also complete a digital portfolio that demonstrates fulfillment of student learning outcomes related to their area of study.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Theatre department majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement.

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The practicum ensures a breadth of experience in the major, including sets, costumes, lighting, props, box office, marketing, and performing.  Students must register for practicum every semester.  They are notified of their practicum assignment at the beginning of each semester.

Program Learning Outcomes

On completion of the B.A. in Theatre, students will:

• Recognize and distinguish between various styles and forms of theatre or dance that have shaped the evolution of these disciplines.
• Effectively communicate artistic ideas and/or critical analysis of theatre or dance works through appropriate oral, written or practical means.
• Demonstrate knowledge and fundamental skill level of the basic areas of theatre or dance production in areas related to performance, design, technology or management.
• Create and demonstrate informed and personal artistic choices in coursework and productions (i.e., design, dance, directing, acting).

On completion of the option in Musical Theatre, students will:

• Utilize a healthy vocal technique and demonstrate the ability to read music.
• Effectively analyze a dramatic script.
• Apply knowledge of theatre to write critically about both musical and non-musical theatre.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform dance choreography.
• Apply acting techniques both in writing and in practice.
• Utilize knowledge of musical theatre history and styles to select appropriate repertoire for class and auditions.
• Demonstrate the skills and create the elements necessary to compete in the professional theatrical world, including a professional resume and audition book.