Musical Theatre (BFA)

Credential: Bachelor of Fine Arts

Majors: Biblical Studies, Musical Theatre

Certification/Licensure:  This program is not intended to lead to certification/licensure.

Location:  Lancaster

Program Director:  Stephen Atherholt, MFA 

Program Mission Statement:  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. 

Program Learning Outcomes: Students will accomplish department objectives, as well as 

1. Technical: Demonstrate basic musicianship skills in sight-singing, dictation, conducting, voice and piano.

2. Faith Integration: Describe and demonstrate the integration of Biblical faith in life and career as artists.

3. 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.

4. Demonstrate professional skills in voice, dance and acting.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of repertoire of musical theatre. 

Experiential Learning:  Students are required to fulfill two internships and one practicum as part of their curriculum. It is the student’s responsibility to acquire the internships and practicum however faculty will assist and forward all opportunities of which they are aware. Due to the immersive requirements of these internships and practicums, virtual options are not available. The student must be physically present.

Internships can be fulfilled on or off campus through opportunities that expand the education of the student. Each internship requires a minimum of 36 hours.

Practicums must be fulfilled off campus while working in the field of study. The practicum requires a minimum of 36 hours.

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.

Curriculum Structure and Degree Requirements

Curriculum Structure	Credits
LBC Foundation Studies Courses	4
Bible & Theology Core Courses	30
Arts & Sciences Core Courses	31
Major Courses	67
Elective Courses	8
Program Total	140

LBC Foundations (4 credits)

LBC 100	Foundations Seminar	1
LBC 101	Living in God's Story	3

 

Bible & Theology Courses (30 credits)

BTH 101	Foundations for Biblical and Theological Studies	3
BIB 103	Creation & Covenants: OT I	3
BIB 104	Israel's Life & Literature: OT II	3
THE 223	Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall	3
THE 224	Christian Narrative II: Redemption & Consummation	3
BIB 203	Life of Christ: NT I	3
BIB 204	Early Church: NT II	3
	BOT 210 or BOT 330	3
THE 320	Christianity and Culture	3
THE 380	Creativity by Design	3

 

Arts & Sciences Courses (31 credits)

LAN 101	Academic Writing, Research, and Rhetoric	3
LAN 104	Public Speaking	3
LIT	Literature Core (100/200 Level)	3
HIS	History Core (100/200 Level)	3
SCI	Science Core (100/200 Level)	3
SCI	SCI Lab (100/200 Level)	1
MAT	Math Core (100/200 Level)	3
	Structures of Human Culture Elective*	3
HUM 240	Music History I	3
HUM 340	Music History II	3
	Arts & Sciences Elective (300 or 400) level	3

*Structures of Human Culture Electives include SOC 101, PHI 201, SOC 203, HUM 212, and POL 202.

 

Music & Musical Theatre Courses (67 credits)

MWP 400	MWPA Cross Cultural Externship	1
MUS 100NC	Music Fundamentals	0
MUS 101	Music Theory I	3
MUS 101L	Musicianship I Lab	1
MUS 102	Music Theory II	3
MUS 102L	Musicianship II Lab	1
MUS 211	Introduction to Composition	3
MUS 211L	Musicianship Lab III	1
MUS 301	Music Theory IV: Adv. Harmony	3
MUS 301L	Musicianship Lab IV	1
MUS	MUS 212, MUS 231, or MUS 330	3
MUL 100	Piano Fundamentals	1
MUL 101	Piano Lab I	1
MUL 102	Piano Lab II	1
MUS 221	Conducting I	2
ENS 132	Musical Theatre	1
ENS 101	Chorale	1
ENS 101	Chorale	1
ENS 101	Chorale	1
ENS 101	Chorale	1
	ENS 104, ENS 121, or ENS 122 (2 semesters)	2
	ENS 104, ENS 121, or ENS 122 (2 semesters)	2
MAP 201	Applied Voice (8 semesters)	8
MAP 100A	Voice Forum (8 semesters)	0
MPR 399	Junior Recital	0
THR 499	Musical Theatre Showcase	3
MWP 301	Worship & Performing Arts Internship I	0
MWP 302	Worship & Performing Arts Internship II	0
MWP 450	Worship & Performing Arts Practicum	1
THR 340	History of Musical Theatre and Repertoire	3
MPR 401	Performance Career Seminar	1
THR 101	Acting I	2
THR 102	Acting II	3
THR 201	Acting / Meisner I	2
THR 202	Acting IV	2
DAN 130, 230, 330	Ballet	1
DAN 130, 230, 330	Ballet	1
DAN 130, 230, 330	Ballet NC	0
DAN 130, 230, 330	Ballet NC	0
DAN	Jazz	1
DAN	Jazz	1
	Jazz NC	0
	Jazz NC	0
DAN	Tap	1
DAN	Tap NC	0
DAN 360	Musical Theater Styles I
DAN 370	Musical Theater Styles II

Students must show competency OR completion of MUS 100 Music Fundamentals and MUL 100 Piano Fundamentals prior to MUS 101 & MUL 101.

Elective Courses (8 credits)

THR	Acting Elective	2
THR	Acting Elective	2
ENS 201	Musical Theatre Workshop	1

Program Director:  Stephen Atherholt, MFA 

Professor Atherholt performed at Sight and Sound for over 12 years, works extensively in TV and Film, and recently starred 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, offers consistent master classes for the community, is a private acting coach, and works as a stage combat instructor and fight choreographer. He earned his BA in Theatre from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a minor in dance, and his MFA in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Faculty

Stephen Atherholt, MFA
Rob Bigley, DMA
Jeffrey Martin, DMA
Rachel Sidebothom, MMus
Paul Thorlakson, DMA