Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

The B.F.A. in Musical Theatre program is designed to prepare the musical theatre actor for a professional career in musical theatre or admission into an advanced degree program.

Building on the success of Western's Summer Music Theatre, as well as the outstanding faculty and programs in the Western Illinois University Department of Theatre and Dance and School of Music, the BFA requires a 137-hour curriculum.

Students in the BFA in Musical Theatre program receive their singing training from teachers who are specialists in both Classical and Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) vocal techniques. Professor Matt Bean is an expert in the belt voice with training in the techniques of Jan Sullivan, one of the pioneers in belt voice pedagogy. Professors Kitty Karn and Lynn Thompson are certified teachers of Somatic VoiceworkSM, the Lovetri Method, a unique body- based voice training program. Throughout his/her career at WIU the BFA student has the opportunity to work with all three professors in both group and private lesson settings.

For more information on the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, follow the links below:

For complete details on this and other theatre and dance programs offered by the department, please consult the current catalog.