Introduction to the Musical Theatre Program
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) concentration in Musical Theatre is a professionally-minded program that celebrates rigor, empathy, authenticity, creativity, diversity, and bravery in the art of synthesized storytelling through acting, music, and dance. This degree path is for students who desire a challenging, conservatory-style education in Musical Theatre performance.
Students must audition prior to entering the program and will be assessed in the areas of acting, voice and movement. Approximately 12-16 candidates will be invited into the Musical Theatre BFA program each year. Students who are not invited into the Musical Theatre program may be considered for the Acting and/or the Devised Theatre BFA concentrations. Candidates who are not accepted into any of the three BFA programs may be offered placement in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre – which may include elective courses in acting, physical theatre, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, design/production, theatre education, and/or applied studies, based on the student’s individual interests).
CSUF Musical theatre bfa program video
Program Overview
Located in Southern California, twenty-six miles outside of Los Angeles, we are a professional training program designed for individuals who wish to pursue performance careers in Musical Theatre. While our focus remains steadfast on the industry, we celebrate the whole artist — training inquisitive, empowered, unique, empathetic, and creative human beings capable of success in multiple arenas, within and without the entertainment industry. The curricular roadmap for Musical Theatre BFA students includes four years of dedicated private voice lessons, a minimum of two dance classes per semester (in various styles and at multiple levels), core acting training rooted in Stanislavski/realism (ranging from mid-century modern stage works to on-camera acting techniques).
The Musical Theatre program is one of three Theatre BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) concentrations offered at CSUF, alongside the Acting and Devised Performance/Physical Theatre concentrations. CSUF is also home to a diverse and thriving Theatre BA (Bachelor of Arts) program.
Audition requirements
Casting Opportunities and Crew Duties
Casting opportunities
The CSUF Department of Theatre & Dance features eight (8) main stage productions per year – two plays, two musicals, two devised/physical theatre works, and two dance productions. Musical Theatre BFA students are required to be cast in at least two (2) main stage productions throughout their 4-year matriculation.
In addition to main stage productions, CSUF also supports minimally produced “Studio Series” productions, student-directed projects, new works (readings, labs, and/or workshop productions), classroom performances/presentations (in acting, song, and/or dance), concerts, vocal studio recitals, student-directed films and scenes, and more!
Crew duties
Students must participate in 3 units of 278B/478B Production crew, which provides the opportunity for students to develop technical knowledge and observe the production process through participation in the technical development of a departmental production.
Student/Faculty Ratio
BFA Musical Theatre concentration students can expect varying student-faculty ratios based on subject matter and optimal learning conditions. However, most performance/studio classes boast an average 12:1 student-faculty ratio.
Our faculty consists of award-winning professional actors, directors, musicians, dancers, designers and more, with careers ranging from Broadway, off-Broadway, national tour, international tour, regional theatre, television, film, commercial, voiceover, and academia. You will study under professionals who have walked the very path you intend to walk, and who are eager to share their knowledge and expertise with you.
New York City Showcase/Capstone
The Musical Theatre BFA concentration culminates in a capstone industry showcase event in New York City for agents, managers, casting directors, alumni, and friends of the University. This experience is not only a professional networking opportunity but a celebration of each artist’s growth.
Participation in this capstone experience is required for all Musical Theatre BFA students, and costs associated with the trip are suppemented with grant funding, with little cost to BFA students. The grant for the trips includes transportation costs, housing in NYC, headshot photography and printing, rehearsal and performance venue access, receptions, community meals, and multiple workshops with New York theatre professionals (agents, managers, casting directors, composers, choreographers, performers, etc.)
Alumni
Our alumni boast diverse careers across the entertainment industry (and beyond), including but certainly not limited to Broadway, off-Broadway, national and international tour, regional theater, film, television, and commercials. We are thrilled and honored by the professional achievements of our alumni within the industry as performing artists, but we are equally proud of our alumni whom have found success as teachers, marketers, CEOs, gig artists, church or cabaret singers, producers, directors, choreographers, casting assistants, front of house workers, union leaders, and so on.
Recent Broadway and National Tour alumni include Jisel Ayon (Hamilton), Brandon Burks (Gypsy), Ruben Carbajal (Hamilton), Mara Davi (A Chorus Line, The Play That Goes Wrong, Dames at Sea), Chelle Denton (Smash, Jagged Little Pill), Taylor Sage Evans (Six), Devon Hadsell (Some Like It Hot, Mean Girls), Dillon Klena (Jagged Little Pill), Timothy H. Lee (Hadestown, KPOP), Lauren Mariasoosay (Hamilton, Six, Aladdin), Patrick Ortiz (Mamma Mia!), Katherine Ellen Paladichuk (Shrek), Brian Steven Shaw (Frozen), Kellen Stancil (The Lion King), Neil Starkenberg (Mrs. Doubtfire, Mamma Mia!), Jesse Swimm (School of Rock, Mary Poppins), Salisha Thomas (Once Upon a One More Time, Beautiful), Dashaun Young (Beautiful, Motown, The Lion King), and others.
A degree in Theatre is a pathway to limitless career potential within and beyond the entrainment industry itself. We celebrate all of these diverse pathways and all of our diverse alumni.
General FAQs
Q: What is the difference between the Theatre BA (Bachelor of Arts) and the Theatre BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)?
A: The Theatre BA is a “choose your own adventure”-style Theatre degree with 120 required course units, while the Theatre BFA is a regimented conservatory-style degree with 132 required course units. Students in the BA degree do not have to audition to enter the program and can take courses in musical theatre (acting, singing, and dancing), acting, directing, technical theatre, design, theatre education, playwrighting, dramaturgy, and much more.
Students in the BFA degree must choose a specific concentration (Acting, Devised Performance/Physical Theatre, or Musical Theatre) and have very few electives due to the high impact of required courses in these specific fields. Importantly, no matter which degree type you choose, all Theatre & Dance students are eligible and encouraged to be cast in all campus productions.
Q: Do Theatre BA students have to audition before attending CSUF?
A: No, there is no audition requirement for the Theatre BA degree. Simply apply to the University
and state your intention to major in Theatre.
Q: Do Musical Theatre BFA students have to audition before attending CSUF?
A: Yes, the Musical Theatre program requires an audition. Apply to the University
(on or before November 30), then submit your pre-screen videos.
Q: Does CSUF offer scholarships or work-study programs?
A: Yes. There is one scholarship application at CSUF where students can apply for all applicable scholarships, across the university, college and department. The deadline for these annual scholarships is typically on or around March 3 and may be accessed using the CSUF student portal.
The Theatre BFA and BA (all concentrations) at CSUF partner with the Disney Aspire Program, which allows part-time Disney employees the opportunity to have 100% of tuition costs paid for. Disney employees should contact the Aspire Program
for more details.
There are also need-based scholarships and work-study programs available to all CSUF students. Visit the CSUF Financial Aid website for more details.
Q: Is casting guaranteed for BFA Musical Theatre students?
A: Yes, each BFA student is required/guaranteed to perform in at least two (2) productions over their four years; however, BFA students are encouraged to audition for as many productions as possible during their time on campus. At CSUF, we believe that casting/auditioning is part of the training process; therefore, casting must be open and competitive in order to successfully prepare students for the industry, post-graduation. We also believe that students with industry- minded performance degrees (like a BFA) must perform; for this reason, we require/guarantee at least two (2) production casting opportunities.
Q: Is casting guaranteed for BA Theatre students?
A: No, casting is open to all BA Theatre students, but is not guaranteed.
Q: Can BFA Musical Theatre students audition for plays and devised works (non- musicals)?
A: Yes, BFA students can audition and be cast in any/all CSUF campus productions. That said, CSUF is a NAST (National Association of Schools of Theatre) accredited program, which requires all BFA students to perform in at least one (1) production within their concentration (i.e. Musical Theatre BFA students must perform in at least one musical).
Q: How many students are accepted into the Musical Theatre BFA Program each year?
A: Approximately 12-14 students are offered placement in the MT program each year, this represents less than 10% of those who apply.
Q: Is there a “cut” system at CSUF?
A: No. Once students are accepted into the Musical Theatre BFA program, CSUF is committed to their training all the way to graduation and beyond. However, a minimum “C” (2.0) grade is required for all courses applied to the BFA, and a minimum “B” (3.0) is expected in all performance courses applied to the BFA. Following below a “B” in multiple performance courses (and/or across multiple semesters) is considered “under performing” and may impact casting eligibility at CSUF. Students who are at risk of following below grading or casting eligibility thresholds are required to advise with the Area Coordinator(s) and/or Department Chair to support their successful graduation from the program.
Q: Does the Musical Theatre BFA program accept transfer students?
A: Yes. It is part of the mission of the California State University system to create a rigorous, community-driven, equitable, and accessible model of higher education — including higher education in the arts. We recognize and embrace the reality that the best and brightest young talents in our nation are not always those who can afford four years of private schooling. Likewise, some promising young actors may not be ready for the rigor of a four-year program immediately after high school, yet may blossom through their matriculation within a community college/two-year program. We at CSUF honor that young artists do not all grow or develop at the same pace. For this reason, we hope that our school may serve as a beacon — not only for the students whose talents manifested after high school, but for other colleges and universities who wish to truly create vibrant, diverse, accessible spaces for all young artists.
For these reasons and more, it is important for us at CSUF to maintain a bridge into our program(s) for transfer students.
Q: How many transfer students does the Musical Theatre program accept each year?
A: This depends on the pool of candidates and the current class roster, however, 1-2 transfers per year is an approximate average.
Q: Does CSUF allow late audition submissions (after Nov. 30)?
A: Yes and no. The University application deadline is Nov. 30, and this deadline is hard and final. Although the Musical Theatre program is flexible to receive late video submissions after this date, we are unable to consider any student who did not submit the University application prior to Nov. 30.
Therefore, late submissions will only be considered if/when space remains open after the initial auditions phase, and only if the student submitting the audition completed the University application by Nov. 30. For this reason, we strongly encourage all prospective students to submit their materials early, especially the University application.
Q: Is there a deadline to accept my Musical Theatre BFA placement offer?
A: Yes. BFA placement offers typically go out via email on or around the first week of March. The deadline to accept this placement offer is May 15. Students who have not responded to their BFA placement offers by this deadline will be offered placement in the Theatre BA program, but their seat in the BFA program will be considered vacated.
Q: Is there a GPA requirement for the Musical Theatre BFA?
A: There is no GPA requirement for the program itself, however, there is a GPA requirement for the University, which the BFA program(s) must adhere to. In-state residents must achieve a high school GPA of 2.49 or higher, while out-of-state residents must achieve a high school GPA of 2.99 or higher.
Regardless of GPA standing, all students are encouraged to apply.
Q: What happens if I audition and don’t get in?
A: Good news! You will be welcomed into the Theatre BA program here at CSUF where you can continue to study acting, music, dance, and an array of adjacent disciplines as part of our wider Theatre Department community.
Transfer Student Information
The first thing you must do is
apply
to the University.
Once you have applied, please email the Undergraduate Advisement Coordinator for Theatre, Professor Marty Austin Lamar for a transcript evaluation. This must be done well before auditioning. The Advisement Coordinator processes all transfer equivalency evaluations for Musical Theatre to evaluate whether your theatre, dance and music credits meet our required curriculum, thus clearing you to audition. It is very important to email a copy of your unofficial transcripts, and also the catalog descriptions and copies of course syllabi (if available) for courses that you believe to be equal to the CSUF BFA Musical Theatre concentration prerequisites.
Transfer Student Prerequisites
The following course work must be successfully completed (or nearly completed) before transfer students may audition for the BFA Musical Theatre concentration:
THTR 200: Script Analysis (or equivalent), with a grade of C or better (3 units).
• Study of scripts with emphasis on dramatic analysis and cultural significance.
THTR 160: Intro to Acting (or equivalent) with a grade of B- or better (3 units).
• Improvisation, movement, relaxation and characterization techniques for performance.
THTR 141A and 141B: Voice and Movement for the Stage (or equivalent) with a grade of B- or better (4 units total).
• Intensive training in the integral use of the voice and body for the actor; developing skills for vocal and physical relaxation, flexibility and strength. Introduction to basic anatomy and physiology.
THTR 240A and 240B: Acting II (or equivalent) with a grade of B- or better (6 units total).
• Improvisations, exercises and techniques of acting for the stage. Motivation and behavior
in characterization.
Additional course work that is strongly recommended (but not required) for Musical Theatre transfer candidates:
Ballet I & II (DANC 112 and 212)
Jazz I & II (DANC 132 and 232)
Tap I & II (DANC 142 and 242)
Music Theory for Non-Majors (MUS 101)
Basic Sight Reading and Ensemble Singing (THTR 181)
Fundamentals of Musical Theatre Performance (THTR 236A & 236B)
Two years of private voice lessons (THTR 193 and 293)
Transfer Student FAQ's
Q: Most major Musical Theatre programs don't accept transfer students. Why does CSUF?
A: It is part of the mission of the California State University system to create a rigorous, community-driven, equitable, and accessible model of higher education — including higher education in the arts. We recognize and embrace the reality that the best and brightest young talents in our nation are not always those who can afford four years of private schooling. Likewise, some promising young actors may not be ready for the rigor of a four year program immediately after high school, yet may blossom through their matriculation within a community college/two-year program. We at CSUF honor that young artists do not all grow or develop at the same pace. For this reason, we hope that our school may serve as a beacon — not only for the students whose talents manifested after high school, but for other colleges and universities who wish to truly create vibrant, diverse, accessible spaces for all young artists.
For these reasons and more, it is important for us at CSUF to maintain a bridge into our programs for transfer students.
Q: Should I audition as a transfer student?
A: The short answer is: Yes, of course!
The long answer is: the BFA Musical Theatre concentration is a densely packed, 4-year course package that is difficult (but not impossible) to transfer in to due to the specificity of required courses in the first two years of the program. If the audition/application process feels overwhelming to you in any way, we encourage you to seriously consider our slightly more flexible Theatre BA degree program. There are many ways to celebrate your love for theatre and receive a 4-year degree here at CSUF!
Q: What happens if I audition and don’t get in?
A: Good news! You will be welcomed into the BA Theatre program here at CSUF where you can continue to study acting, music, dance, and an array of adjacent disciplines as part of our wider Theatre Department community. You may also use your audition for the BFA Musical Theatre concentration to be considered for the BFA Acting or Devised Theatre concentrations.
Q: What happens if I audition and do get in?
A: Congrats! If you successfully pass the jury/audition, you will be given a schedule of classes to which you will be permitted to enroll (with the goal of timely completing the BFA course sequence). That permit guarantees you a seat in the BFA sections of performance courses. From here, simply follow the Musical Theatre course roadmap provided to you by your academic advisor, throw yourself into the work wholeheartedly, and enjoy the ride!
Q: How many transfer students does the Musical Theatre program accept each year?
A: This depends on the pool of candidates and the current class roster, however, 1-2 transfers per year is an approximate average.
