Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre at Xavier University is designed to cultivate artists rooted in a profound sense of purpose. The program offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum that develops students' unique talents in acting, singing, and dancing within a supportive learning environment grounded in Jesuit values.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Musical Theatre major is structured as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall:
    • ENGL 101/115: 3 credits
    • PHIL 100: 3 credits
    • CORE 100: 3 credits
    • CORE 101: 0 credits
    • THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors: 1 credit
    • THTR 100: Introduction to Theatre: 3 credits
    • THTR 120: Acting I: 3 credits
    • DANC 201: Musical Theatre Dance: 1 credit
    • DANC 158: Ballet 1: 1 credit
  • Spring:
    • THEO 111: 3 credits
    • CORE 102: 0 credits
    • Historical Perspectives: 3 credits
    • THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors and THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio: 1 credit
    • THTR 221: Audition Process: 3 credits
    • DANC 159: Ballet 2: 1 credit
    • THTR 195: Voice and Movement Ensemble: 1 credit
    • THTR 199: Theatre Performance Workshop: 1 credit
    • DANC 301: Musical Theatre Dance II: 1 credit
    • THTR 150: Stagecraft: 3 credits
• Sophomore:
  • Fall:
    • Second Language 1/2: 3 credits
    • Social Sciences Elective: 3 credits
    • THTR 205: Theatre History 1 / Oral Flag: 3 credits
    • THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors: 1 credit
    • THTR 208: Vocal Health and Wellness for Actors: 1 credit
    • DANC 155: Jazz 1: 1 credit
    • THTR 219: American Musical Theatre: 3 credits
    • THTR 195: Voice and Movement Ensemble: 1 credit
  • Spring:
    • Second Language 2/2: 3 credits
    • Lit and Moral Imagination: 3 credits
    • THTR 206: Theatre History II/Writing Flag: 3 credits
    • THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors: 1 credit
    • THTR 209: Hearing for Musical Theatre Actor: 2 credits
    • DANC 157: Jazz 2: 1 credit
    • THTR 232: Advanced Musical Theatre: 3 credits
    • THTR 199: Theatre Performance Workshop: 1 credit
• Junior:
  • Fall:
    • Science Elective: 3 credits
    • Math Perspectives: 3 credits
    • THTR 196: Music Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors: 1 credit
    • DANC 154: Tap 1: 1 credit
    • THTR 250: Alexander Technique: 1 credit
    • THTR 211: Script Analysis: 3 credits
    • Acting II: 3 credits
    • THTR 195: Voice and Movement Ensemble: 1 credit
  • Spring:
    • Natural Science Elective: 3 credits
    • Philosophical Perspectives: 3 credits
    • Diversity Elective: 3 credits
    • THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors: 1 credit
    • DANC 156: Tap 2: 1 credit
    • THTR 250: Alexander Technique: 1 credit
    • THTR 198: Theatre Technology Workshop: 1 credit
    • Theology Elective: 3 credits
• Senior:
  • Fall:
    • Humanities Elective: 3 credits
    • Quantitative Flag: 3 credits
    • THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors: 1 credit
    • DANC: Dance Elective 1: 1 credit
    • THTR 199: Theatre Performance Workshop: 1 credit
    • General Elective: 3 credits
    • General Elective: 1 credit
  • Spring:
    • E/RS Elective: 3 credits
    • THTR 460: Senior MT Thesis: 1 credit
    • THTR 196: Musical Theatre Studio and THTR 197: Voice for Theatre Majors: 1 credit
    • DANC: Dance Elective 2: 1 credit
    • THTR 199: Theatre Performance Workshop: 1 credit
    • General Elective: 3 credits
    • General Elective: 3 credits

Outcomes

98% of Xavier students, including those in the musical theatre major, are working, volunteering, or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2023).

Exciting 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.

Sample Courses

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 219: American Musical Theatre I

This course surveys American musical theater from the mid-19th century to the present day. Examining the lives and representative shows of the most significant theater composers and writers, it places each work in its historical and social context. It also explores the intertwining of music and drama and the ways in which musical style and structure support the goal of any drama: telling a compelling story.

Clubs

• 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.
• All-Inclusive Dance Club: This club is perfect for those looking for a casual environment to move creatively and learn or practice basic combinations or dance practices. XUDC practices all styles of dance including contemporary, ballet, jazz, tap, folk, and we are open to more.
• 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.
• Hip Hop Collective: The Hip Hop Collective is a club dedicated to promoting cultural awareness of Hip Hop by educating members on its fundamental elements and rich historical foundation. We represent a social gathering of individuals dedicated to the pursuit and creative expression of this artform.
• Don't Tell Anna: Don't Tell Anna (DTA) is an improvisational comedy group of Xavier University students that aim to provide quality entertainment to both on-campus and off-campus audiences. At Xavier, DTA performs in shows that provide a free, late-night alternative to students looking to have fun and enjoy themselves on-campus.
• Singers: This club provides an outlet for students who wish to sing, dance, and perform beside a student band. Xavier Singers exists as a professional experience for students to practice and perform their singing and dancing talents, play music in a live band, choreograph dance numbers, and arrange/teach vocal numbers.
• 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.
• XU Live: XU Live is a live performance club that strives to support student performers at Xavier University and create a platform for bi-monthly open mic live performances in the heart of campus: Gallagher Student Center.

Related Programs

Related Majors

• BA in Digital Innovation, Film and Television
• BA in English
• BA in Music Production
• BA in Music Performance
• BA in Theatre

Related Minors

• Arts Administration
• Digital Innovation, Film and Television
• Music Production
• Music Performance
• Music Studies
• Musical Theatre
• Theatre
• Writing

Program Features

• Students-first program: Study in a program focused on providing you with opportunities for practical experiences and professional collaborations.
• Hands-on production experience: Participate in Xavier Theatre’s five to seven-show season and even land leading roles as a first-year student. Plus, work with some of the best artists in the industry.
• Perform with purpose: Rooted in Jesuit values, our program empowers musical theatre artists to not only master their craft but also to use their talents to inspire, engage, and serve the world through powerful storytelling.
• Located in a city of opportunity: Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, a city with a vibrant arts scene, you'll have access to internships, performances, and partnerships with local arts organizations.

About Xavier University

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."