Musical Theatre Minor - Undergraduate - 2015 University Catalog

Program Overview

The Minor in Musical Theatre provides an opportunity for students majoring in another area of study to develop their musical theatre skills and knowledge about the field.  Coursework includes acting, singing and dance classes, as well as courses designed to trace the development of the American musical theatre. Students wishing to pursue the Musical Theatre minor and have it listed on their transcript must proceed as follows:

1.    Schedule and complete an interview/audition for acceptance into the program.
2.    Complete the Minor Program sequence.
3.    Request the Registrar, during the senior year of study, to certify on official Montclair State records the completion of the minor program of study.

The program is based in the Department of Theatre & Dance. For further  information, go to: Minors in Dance, Theatre and Musical Theatre.  

Curriculum Requirements

All university students must complete a set of General Education Requirements applicable to their specific degree.  Musical Theatre minors must, in addition complete the Minor course requirements listed below:

MUSICAL THEATRE MINOR

Complete 22 semester hours, including the following 5 requirement(s):

  1. MUSICAL THEATER MINOR REQUIRED COURSES

    Complete the following for 12 semester hours:

    THTR 112 Singing for the Actor I (3 hours lecture) 3
    THTR 212 Singing for the Actor II (3 hours lecture) 3
    THTR 238 Musical Theatre I (3 hours lecture) 3
    THTR 338 Musical Theatre II (3 hours lecture) 3

  2. MUSICAL REHEARSAL/PRODUCTION

    Complete 1 course for 1 semester hours from the following list.

    THTR 200 Production Stagecraft (2 hours lab) 1
    THTR 201 Production Operations 1
    THTR 202 Production Costumes 1
    THTR 203 Business of Production 1
    THTR 204 Performance Production I (1 hour lecture, 2 hours lab) 1
    THTR 206 Performance: Production II (1 hour lecture, 2 hours lab) 1
    THTR 207 Performance: Production III (1 hour lecture, 2 hours lab) 1

  3. DANCE ELECTIVE

    Complete 1 course for 3 semester hours:

    DNCE 100 Introduction to Ballet (Non-Major) (3 hours lecture) 3
    DNCE 110 Introduction to Modern Dance (Non-Major) (3 hours lecture) 3
    THTR 120 Movement for the Actor I (1 hour lecture, 3 hours studio) 3

  4. ACTING ELECTIVE

    Complete 1 course for 3 semester hours from the following list.

    THTR 105 Acting I (3 hours lecture) 3
    THTR 115 Acting I - BFA (1 hour lecture, 3 hours studio) 3

  5. THEATRE ELECTIVE

    Complete 1 course for 3 semester hours:

    THTR 100 Introduction to the Theatrical Medium (3 hours lecture) 3
    THTR 110 Acting II - B.A (3 hours lecture) 3
    THTR 130 Acting II - BFA (1 hour lecture, 3 hours studio) 3
    THTR 150 Introduction to Technical Theatre (0.5 hours lecture, 2 hours lab) 1

Course Descriptions:

DNCE100: Introduction to Ballet (Non-Major) (3 hours lecture)

Study of basic ballet terminology, barre work, center floor exercises. Designed for students with little or no previous experience with ballet. May be repeated for a maximum of twelve credits. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Fine and Performing Arts. Previous course DNCE 155 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Non-majors only.

DNCE110: Introduction to Modern Dance (Non-Major) (3 hours lecture)

Introduction to modern dance. Techniques and basic elements of modern dance. Designed for non-majors or students with limited or no previous experience. May be repeated for a maximum of twelve credits. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Fine and Performing Arts. Previous course DNCE 141 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Non-majors only.

THTR100: Introduction to the Theatrical Medium (3 hours lecture)

Introduction to Theatrical Medium increases the student's understanding, appreciation, and critical perceptions of the theatrical event. Readings and lectures will focus on the elements of theatrical practice; artists and innovators of theatre throughout history; the theatre's development as an art form and a social phenomenon; participation in class forum discussions; sharing of individual theatrical interests; and attendance at theatrical events will offer firsthand experience in the arts. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Fine and Performing Arts. 3 sh.

THTR105: Acting I (3 hours lecture)

Basic introduction to acting for the non-major; involving exploration of one's self and experiencing inwardly; deepening the personal involvement and significance of actions; improvisation and exercises for perception, self-awareness and justification. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Fine and Performing Arts. 3 sh.

THTR110: Acting II - B.A (3 hours lecture)

Continuation of Acting I including improvisation, scene study, characterization and script analysis. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 105; B.A. Theatre Studies majors only.

THTR112: Singing for the Actor I (3 hours lecture)

This course will develop and train the actors' voice and interpretation of songs through exercises, vocal production technique, in-class vocal assignments, and texts. The student will be expected to learn and prepare several songs over the term and be expected to be able to present them in a professional manner, i.e., with confidence, control and in a manner which best displays the actors' vocal abilities. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 105 or THTR 115.

THTR115: Acting I - BFA (1 hour lecture, 3 hours studio)

Acting I course work focuses on self-discovery and exploration, working from a neutral, grounded place with sensual awareness, emotional availability and empathy with an integrated mind/body/voice. Students learn beginning acting technique through scene study from contemporary plays and how to work as an ensemble. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: B.F.A. in Theatre, Acting concentration only.

THTR120: Movement for the Actor I (1 hour lecture, 3 hours studio)

Basic movement for the actor in terms of development of characterization, physicality and projection of mood and attitude. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: B.F.A. in Theatre, Acting concentration majors or Musical Theatre majors only.

THTR130: Acting II - BFA (1 hour lecture, 3 hours studio)

Acting II course work continues the development of the actor with an emphasis on working from the self through more advanced ensemble training and continued scene work from contemporary plays. Particular emphasis is placed on investigating characters that are in contrast to the self, material with higher stakes and more complex given circumstances. Continued development of text analysis and the close reading of theatrical texts. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 115; B.F.A. in Theatre, Acting Concentration majors only.

THTR150: Introduction to Technical Theatre (0.5 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)

An introductory course in technical theatre including scenic construction, lighting and sound technology and costume construction. Students will gain practical experience in various theatre production shops. 1 sh.

THTR200: Production Stagecraft (2 hours lab)

The application of principles learned in THTR 150 (Stagecraft) to the building and mounting of Theatre Series productions. Taken concurrently with THTR 150. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 150.

THTR201: Production Operations

The application of principles involving lighting, sound and props to the creation and mounting of non-scenic elements and/or the running crew for Theatre Series productions. May be repeated seven times for a maximum of 8.0 credits. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 150.

THTR202: Production Costumes

The application of costuming principles and techniques to the building of costumes, mounting Theatre Series productions and/or costume running crew for Theatre Series productions. May be repeated seven times for a maximum of 8.0 credits. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 150.

THTR203: Business of Production

The application of business and theatre management principles to the operations of the theatre business office, including advertising, program design and creation, educational outreach and front-of-house. May be repeated seven times for a maximum of 8.0 credits. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 150.

THTR204: Performance Production I (1 hour lecture, 2 hours lab)

Rehearsal, performance and strike for the first Theatre Series production in a given semester. May be repeated twice for a total of 3.0 credits. 1 sh.

THTR206: Performance: Production II (1 hour lecture, 2 hours lab)

Rehearsal, performance and strike for the second Theatre Series in a given semester. May be repeated twice for a total of 3.0 credits. 1 sh.

THTR207: Performance: Production III (1 hour lecture, 2 hours lab)

Rehearsal, performance and strike for the third Theatre Series production in a given semester. May be repeated twice for a total of 3.0 credits. 1 sh.

THTR212: Singing for the Actor II (3 hours lecture)

This course will continue the work of Singing for the Actor I to train the actors' voice through exercises and vocal production technique designed to provide flexibility and freedom to the singer; to learn to "protect" the voice from harm while maximizing its strengths and potential. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 112.

THTR238: Musical Theatre I (3 hours lecture)

Production styles, techniques and dramatic conventions used in the musical theatre in relation to direction, music, dance and design. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 105 or 115.

THTR338: Musical Theatre II (3 hours lecture)

This course explores the role of the singing actor, including characterization and performance skills. It examines the functions of music, lyrics, and script, and how they are integrated into one dramatic effort. It addresses the differences in styles between older presentational musicals and newer musical dramas. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: THTR 115 and THTR 130 and THTR 222 and THTR 223; and Musical Theatre majors only.

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