BFA in Music Theatre

Male performer on stage, comedically swinging an axe.

The Music Theatre program at UB embraces the ever-widening spectrum of musical theatre arts, including musicals, operetta, cabaret, and dance works. We are dedicated to theatre as collaboration, and actively pursue the research and creation of new works as well as the re-envisioning of the classics for our times. Our goal is to prepare our students to succeed as multi-faceted theatre professionals in an increasingly creative and challenging field.

Course of Study

The Music Theatre curriculum offers a comprehensive series of classes in acting, voice, and dance. There are additional required courses in technical theatre and design, music theory and musicianship. Electives in choreography, stage direction, and other areas of interest are available. Our goal is to train complete music theatre artists while giving students tools to discover their unique strengths and interests.

Experiential Learning Opportunities: Music Theatre majors at UB may pursue a myriad of performance and production opportunities. The Department of Theatre and Dance mounts full productions of musicals, plays, and dance concerts in our state-of-the-art facilities. The department’s yearly season typically includes two musicals, two plays, and four dance concerts, as well as several student-directed projects.

Faculty: The faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance maintain national and international profiles as directors, actors, choreographers, musicians, and scholars. Their active experience in their fields is shared with the students in classes and direct mentorship. This balance of scholarship and performance embodies the values and spirit of the Music Theatre program and the department as a whole.

Guest Artists: Each year, an exciting roster of guest artists from the professional world of theatre, music theatre, and dance work with students in productions, workshops, and masterclasses. In addition, one musical theatre production in each season is led by a guest director/choreographer (member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Union).

Professionalization: Students in the Department of Theatre and Dance gain access to jobs through auditions and networking within and outside the UB community. There are many Buffalo-based opportunities with professional companies such as the Irish Classical Theatre Company, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, the Kavinoky Theatre, and MusicalFare. Students often pursue internships and performance contracts at theaters, cruise ships and theme parks across the country during the summers.

Application Requirements

The Music Theatre BFA at UB requires an audition for admission. All students must successfully audition through the Department of Theatre and Dance in order to register for Music Theatre courses. Interested students are encouraged to audition prior to matriculation at UB; current students and transfer students who wish to audition should contact the department to fully understand the time required to complete the BFA degree.

For More Information Contact:

Send us a general inquiry at: td-theatredance@buffalo.edu.