Musical Theatre (BFA)
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Program Description: 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.
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 prepared to develop highly skilled artists to influence culture with grace and truth.
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.
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.
The curriculum sheet identifies the courses for this program. Musical Theatre (BFA) Curriculum Sheet
For the course descriptions related to this program, see the courses section of the catalog.
Program Director:
Stephen Atherholt, MFA
Professor Atherholt performed at Sight and Sound for over 12 years, works extensively in TV and Film, and is currently starring in a film about the life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In addition to serving as a past LBC adjunct professor, he teaches for Sight and Sound Conservatory, Piercing Word, Cavod Academy, and as a private acting coach. He earned his BA in Musical Theatre from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his MFA in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Faculty:
Stephen Atherholt, MFA
Rob Bigley, DMA
Jeffrey Martin, MMus
Rachel Sidebothom, MMus
Ryan Shenk, MA
Paul Thorlakson, DMA