Theatre Arts B.A. with a Concentration in Musical Theatre

Graduates from the Department of Theatre Arts will be prepared to meet the following learning outcomes:

  1. Evaluate a script or theatrical topic using relevant dramatic theory and criticism; write a new work applying principles of analysis, criticism, theory, and historic/current genres.
  2. Devise and/or implement theatrically relevant outcomes utilizing design and/or management principles, integrating research with creative problem solving.
  3. Collaborate with other members of the production team in generating and implementing creative solutions in direction, performance, design, and construction.
  4. Display professional standards in execution of work.  Ex:  timeliness, follow-through, attention to detail, correct use of written English, etc.
  5. Create meaningful artistic expression utilizing movement, body, voice, and character creation.
Core Curriculum Requirements 150
Theatre Arts Major Core Requirements25
Musical Theatre Concentration Requirements31
General Electives 214
Total Units120
1

Number of units required from the Core Curriculum not included in the major requirements below. 

2

General electives suggested by the department can be found in the concentration requirements below. 

Theatre Arts Major Core Requirements

Select one of the following:1
Set Construction I 1
Costume Construction I
Scenic Painting I
THEA-200CIntro to Theatre3
THEA-202CHistory of Theatre I3
THEA-204CHistory of Theatre II3
Select one of the following:1
Set Construction II 1
Scenic Painting II
Costume Construction II
THEA-313Scenic and Lighting Design Fundamentals3
THEA-314Makeup & Costume Design Fundamentals3
THEA-324Theory and Criticism3
THEA-386Junior Project1
THEA-450Theatre Internship2
THEA-495CSenior Project2
Total Units25
1

Technical/Design concentration majors may not use Scenic Painting I and Scenic Painting II to fulfill these requirements.

Musical Theatre Concentration Requirements

Musical Theatre Concentration majors are strongly encouraged to take private voice lessons through the Theatre and Music Departments and private dance lessons through the Theatre Department.

THEA-107Acting I3
THEA-137A/137BPrivate Voice for Musical Theatre I 10-1
or THEA-237A/237B Private Voice for Musical Theatre II
or THEA-337A/337B Private Voice for Musical Theatre III
or THEA-437A/437B Private Voice for Musical Theatre IV
or MUSI-101 Basic Instruction: Voice
Choose four units from the following: 24
Theatrical Performance I
Theatrical Performance II
Theatrical Performance III
Theatrical Performance IV
Choose one of the following:1
Musical Theatre Dance I
Musical Theatre Dance II
MUSC-101Basic Musicianship I2
THEA-121Movement and Voice2
THEA-207Acting II3
THEA-220Musical Theatre Vocal Technique I3
THEA-244Musical Theatre Audition I3
THEA-307Acting III3
THEA-339Industry Insiders3
THEA-344Musical Theatre Audition II3
Suggested Electives
Select 14 units from the following:14
Class Piano I
Class Piano II
Class Piano III
Private Dance Lessons I
Private Dance Lessons II
Private Dance Lessons III
Private Dance Lessons IV
Private Acting Lessons I
Private Acting Lessons II
Private Acting Lessons III
Private Acting Lessons IV
Private Voice for Musical Theatre I
Private Voice for Musical Theatre II
Private Voice for Musical Theatre III
Private Voice for Musical Theatre IV
Musical Theatre Dance I
Musical Theatre Dance II
Acting/Directing for the Camera I
Playing Shakespeare
Improvisation
Musical Theatre Vocal Technique II
Character Acting for Comedy
Dramatic Lit: Script Analysis
Playwriting
Theatre Teaching Assistant
Music Video Production
On the Campus of Orange Coast College 3
DANC-A101
Modern Dance 1
DANC-A102
Modern Dance 2
DANC-A110
Ballet 1
DANC-A111Ballet 2
DANC-A120
Jaz Dance 1
DANC-A121
Jazz Dance 2
DANC-A125
Tap 1
DANC-A126
Tap 2
DANC-A143
Jazz Dance 3
DANC-A144
Ballet 3
DANC-A145
Modern Dance 3
DANC-A146
Tap 3
DANC-A162
Dance Composition/Choreography II
Total Units45
1

MUSI-200 Recital Attendance must be taken in conjunction with MUSI-101 Basic Instruction: Voice.  For more information, contact the Department of Music.  

2

1-2 units per role

3

See Orange Coast College (OCC) Academic Catalog for Dance class descriptions. Dance classes may only be repeated as stated in the OCC catalog. For assistance on course equivalencies, contact the Academic Transfer Analyst in the Registrar's Office. 

Disclaimer: This sample Four Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. Vanguard University requires that students complete a minimum of 120 units of required course work as outlined on the Requirements tab in order to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions, contact the Department of Theatre Arts.

Study Abroad Participation: Students interested in participating in the university's Study Abroad programs are encouraged to reach out to the Global Education and Outreach Office for more information and collaboration in their academic course planning. Students using Education and Training Benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are encouraged to also reach out to the School Certifying Official for more information regarding how benefits can be applied.


Plan of Study Grid
Year 1 Term 1Units
CORE-100C Cornerstone 1
THEA-107 Acting I 3
THEA-PLBCCostume/ Set Or Scenic I 1
THEA-121 Movement and Voice 2
THEA-200C Intro to Theatre 3
MUSC-101 Basic Musicianship I 2
THEO-PLHDTheology Core Requirement 3
 Units15
Year 1 Term 2
THEA-244 Musical Theatre Audition I 3
THEA-137B Private Voice for Musical Theatre I 0-1
THEA-133 Musical Theatre Dance I 1
NT-101C New Testament Survey 3
ENGL-120C Persuasive Writing 3
THEA-132B Theatrical Performance I 0-2
SOC-PLCRSocial Science Core Curriculum Reqm't 3
 Units13-16
Year 2 Term 1
THEA-313 Scenic and Lighting Design Fundamentals 3
THEA-202C History of Theatre I 3
THEA-220 Musical Theatre Vocal Technique I 3
THEA-232A Theatrical Performance II 0-2
THEA-433 Musical Theatre Dance II 1
OT-201C Old Testament Survey 3
 Units13-15
Year 2 Term 2
THEA-314 Makeup & Costume Design Fundamentals 3
THEA-207 Acting II 3
THEA-204C History of Theatre II 3
THEA-344 Musical Theatre Audition II 3
THEA-PLSCELStage Management or Elective 3
 Units15
Year 3 Term 1
THEA-307 Acting III 3
MATH-PLCRMath Core Requirement 3
ENGL-220C Researched Writing 3
HIST-PLCR1History Core Req (US Hist Or Democracy) 3
THEO-300C Developing a Christian World View 3
 Units15
Year 3 Term 2
THEA-343 Character Acting for Comedy 3
THEA-339 Industry Insiders 3
SOC-PLCRSocial Science Core Curriculum Reqm't 3
THEA-332B Theatrical Performance III 0-2
THEA-386 Junior Project 1
 Units10-12
Year 4 Term 1
THEA-450 Theatre Internship 1-2
ENGL-230C Literature and the Human Experience 3
CHIS-400C Christian Heritage 3
COMM-201C Speech Composition and Presentation 3
THEA-PLICCostume/Set or Scenic II 1
KINE-148C Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Lecture 3
 Units14-15
Year 4 Term 2
THEA-495C Senior Project 2
NSCI-PLCRScience Lec/Lab Requirement 4
THEA-324 Theory and Criticism 3
THEA-341 Directing I: Stage and Screen 3
HIST-PLCR2History Core Requirement (World Civ) 3
 Units15
 Total Units110-118
1

YEAR ONE TERM TWO :: 

  • THEA-132B Theatrical Performance I should only be enrolled in when cast in a production. 
2

YEAR TWO TERM ONE :: 

  • THEA-232A Theatrical Performance II should only be enrolled in when cast in a production. 
  • THEA-433 Musical Theatre Dance II or elective units.
3

YEAR THREE TERM TWO :: 

  • THEA-332B Theatrical Performance III should only be enrolled in when cast in a production. 
4

YEAR FOUR TERM ONE :: 

  • THEA-450 Theatre Internship should be served during the summer, pending departmental approval.
5

YEAR FOUR TERM TWO :: 

  • THEA-495C Senior Project meets the Capstone requirement for this program.