Musical Theatre Major (BFA)
The Musical Theatre program develops the “triple threat” skills—voice, acting, and dance—necessary to begin a lifelong journey as a professional in the world of Musical Theater, solidly grounded within a Biblical worldview. In addition to the rich performance opportunities embedded in your studies at LBC, the college’s location affords students the ability to perform and intern with eight local theaters, and is within driving distance to dozens more in Philadelphia and Baltimore. The Trust Performing Arts Center, owned and operated by LBC, is directly across from the nationally-recognized Fulton Theatre in downtown Lancaster.
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Majors: Musical Theatre, Biblical Studies
Major Mission: The Musical Theatre major is designed to facilitate a high level of artistic training that, paired with the students' biblical studies, will produce cross-cultural leaders uniquely preparedto develop highly skilled artists to influence culture with grace and truth.
Program Requirements:
Continuation in MWPA Programs
Upon completion of 42 credits and/or during the second semester Sophomore year, the MWPA Faculty will vote on the student’s formal acceptance into the specific program leading toward graduation.
Criteria for formal acceptance:
- Satisfactory evaluation of jury performance (2 semesters)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C average)
- Professional GPA of 2.7 (B- average)
- Applied GPA of 3.0 (B average)
- Attendance at required departmental events
- Participation in and attendance at departmental performance events
Probation
For freshmen, if applied GPA is between 2.0-3.0 and/or professional GPA is between 2.0-2.7, student will be on probation for sophomore year.
For sophomores, if applied GPA is between 2.0-3.0 and/or professional GPA is between 2.0-2.7, student will meet with the department chair to determine continued action plan.
If applied and/or professional GPA is below 2.0, students will be asked to find another major.
Program Director:
Dr. Robert Bigley.
As an accomplished singer, actor, conductor, and arts executive, Dr. Bigley brings a wealth of experience and industry connections to his role as director of the Musical Theatre Program.
Faculty List:
Rob Bigley, DMA
Jeffrey Martin, MMus
Rachel Sidebothom, MMus
Ryan Shenk, MA
Paul Thorlakson, DMA
Major Outcomes: Students will accomplish department objectives, as well as
- Technical: Demonstrate basic musicianship skills in sight-singing, dictation, conducting, voice and piano.
- Faith Integration: Describe and demonstrate the integration of Biblical faith in life and career as artists.
- Synthesis: Apply historical and theoretical understanding to the analysis, performance, and creation of musical forms, processes, and structures found in representative examples from the western music tradition.
- Demonstrate professional skills in voice, dance and acting
- Demonstrate knowledge of repertoire of musical theatre.
Musical Theatre Major Curriculum
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
| LBC 100 | Foundations Seminar | 1 |
| BIB 106 | Interpreting the Bible | 3 |
| THE 105 | Prelude to Biblical & Theological Studies | 3 |
| LAN 101 | College Composition and Research | 3 |
| DAN ____ Ballet 130 230 330 | |
| ENS 101 | Chorale (Non-credit) | 0 |
| MAP 201 | Applied Music - Voice | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| THR 101 | Acting I | 2 |
| MWP 102 | Intro to Music, Worship, & the Performing Arts | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring Semester
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| CSV 202 | Christian Service II | 0 |
LIT ____
| LIT Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
| DAN ____ Tap | |
| ENS 201 | Musical Theatre Workshop | 1 |
| ENS 101 | Chorale (Non-credit) | 0 |
| ENS 132 | Musical Theatre | 1 |
| MAP 201 | Applied Music - Voice | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MUS 211 | Introduction to Composition | 3 |
| MUS 221 | Conducting I | 2 |
| MUS 221L | Musicianship Lab III | 1 |
| MWP 301 | Worship & Performing Arts Internship I | 0 |
| | Acting IV | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Junior Year
Fall Semester
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption | 3 |
HIS ____
| HIS Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
MAT ____
| MAT Core | 3 |
| DAN ____ Ballet 130 230 330 | |
| ENS Elective | |
| ENS 201 | Musical Theatre Workshop | 1 |
| MAP 201 | Applied Music - Voice | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MUS 301 | Music Theory IV: Adv. Harmony | 3 |
| MUS 301L | Musicianship Lab IV | 1 |
| THR 340 | History of Musical Theatre and Repertoire | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Spring Semester
SCI ____
| SCI____ Science with Lab 4 credits | 4 |
____ ____
| Human Culture Elective | 3 |
| | Musical Theater Styles I | |
| DAN ___ Jazz | |
| ENS 201 | Musical Theatre Workshop | 1 |
| ENS 132 | Musical Theatre | 1 |
| MAP 201 | Applied Music - Voice | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MPR 399 | Junior Recital | 0 |
| MUS Elective | |
| MWP 302 | Worship & Performing Arts Internship II | 0 |
| THR ___ Elective | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Senior Year
Fall Semester
| BIB 204 | Early Church: NT II | 3 |
| BOT 210 | Psalms | 3 |
HUM 240, 245, 440
| HUM ___ - Music History Elective | 3 |
____ ____
| Arts & Sciences Elective | 3 |
| | Musical Theater Styles II | |
| DAN ____ Ballet 130 230 330 | |
| ENS 114 | Fall Production | 1 |
| ENS 201 | Musical Theatre Workshop | 1 |
| MAP 201 | Applied Music - Voice | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| THR ___ Elective | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Spring Semester
BNT ____
| Bible New Testament Exegetical Elective | 3 |
THE 320
| | |
____ ____
| Arts & Sciences Elective (400 Level) | 3 |
| DAN ___ Jazz | |
| DAN ____ Tap | |
| ENS 132 | Musical Theatre | 1 |
HUM 240, 245, 440
| HUM ___ - Music History Elective | 3 |
| MAP 201 | Applied Music - Voice | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MPR 401 | Performance Career Seminar | 1 |
| MWP 450 | Worship and Performing Arts Practicum | 1 |
| THR 499 | Musical Theatre Showcase | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Summer Credits:
| BIB 203 | Life of Christ: NT I | 3 |
| THE 223 | Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |