Music Theatre Performance
Overview
Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications
MacEwan.ca/TheatreArts
Please note: This program is no longer accepting applications. Please see the Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a major in Music Theatre Performance, for information on the new degree and diploma exit options.
Theatre Arts is an intense, two-year diploma with an emphasis on musical theatre actor training. The first year is spent in studio, private coaching, and classroom instruction, mastering the basics of all three disciplines while studying music theatre history, textual analysis, music theory and ear training.
The year culminates with workshop productions of a play and musical for invited audiences. In the second year, studio and laboratory courses continue while students apply their training in public productions in our new state-of-the-art performance spaces.
To gain admission to this program, applicants must meet the academic admission requirements and be successful at an audition, demonstrating an aptitude in all three disciplines of acting, singing and dancing. A diagnostic will assess applicants’ basic skills in music theory and ear training.
Career Potential
Theatre Arts graduates work provincially, nationally and internationally in a variety of venues: regional theatres as well as on Broadway and London’s West End; Fringe festivals; dinner theatres; cruise entertainment; TV, film, video gaming, and voice over work. Many self-produce their own work, while others continue their studies in acting, directing or writing at other institutions.
Contact Information
Program Requirements
The following program requirements are needed to complete the credential. Refer to the Student Plan as this plan identifies the usual course schedule.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ENGL 102 | Analysis and Argument | 3 |
| Choose an ENGL course from the following: | 3 | |
| Approaches to Literature: Trends and Traditions | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Narrative Across Media | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Contemporary Literature and Culture | ||
| THAR 101 | Acting I | 3 |
| THAR 104 | Voice I | 3 |
| THAR 109 | Performer's Lab | 3 |
| THAR 110 | Dance I | 3 |
| THAR 140 | Music Theory and Ear Training I | 3 |
| THAR 141 | Music Theory and Ear Training II | 3 |
| THAR 151 | Acting II | 3 |
| THAR 154 | Voice II | 3 |
| THAR 160 | Dance II | 3 |
| THAR 201 | Acting III | 3 |
| THAR 204 | Voice III | 3 |
| THAR 206 | Performance I | 3 |
| THAR 240 | Music Theory and Ear Training III | 3 |
| THAR 250 | Dance III | 3 |
| THAR 251 | Acting IV | 3 |
| THAR 254 | Voice IV | 3 |
| THAR 256 | Performance II | 3 |
| THAR 260 | Dance IV | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
The minimum passing grade for all THAR courses is a C-. All other courses have a minimum passing grade of a D unless otherwise noted.
Only full-time students admitted to the Theatre Arts program may register in THAR courses.
Program Regulations
Progression of Studies
Students in the Theatre Arts program are required to successfully complete all Theatre Arts courses in Term 1 of the program of study in order to be able to progress to Term 2.
Students in the Theatre Arts program are required to successfully complete all courses in Year 1 of the program of study in order be able to progress to Year 2.
Student Plan
Students must follow the Student Plan (listed below) to complete this credential in the year(s) indicated by the plan. Students must consult with a program Academic Advisor regarding any deviation from the Student Plan, as this may extend the time it takes to complete the program.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits |
| ENGL 102 | 3 | Choose an ENGL course from the following: | 3 |
| THAR 101 | 3 | ||
| THAR 104 | 3 | ||
| THAR 110 | 3 | ||
| THAR 140 | 3 | THAR 109 | 3 |
| THAR 141 | 3 | ||
| THAR 151 | 3 | ||
| THAR 154 | 3 | ||
| THAR 160 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits |
| THAR 201 | 3 | THAR 251 | 3 |
| THAR 204 | 3 | THAR 254 | 3 |
| THAR 206 | 3 | THAR 256 | 3 |
| THAR 240 | 3 | THAR 260 | 3 |
| THAR 250 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 60 | |||
Admission Requirements
Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:
Regular Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:
- ELA 30-1 or 75% in ELA 30-2
- Four subjects from Group A, B, C, or D
Notes:
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to present a broad range of subjects in order to benefit from the breadth of learning and to increase flexibility of future program and course choices.
- A maximum of two Group B subjects may be presented; they must be from different disciplines.
- A maximum of one Group D subject may be presented. Group D subjects used for admission must be 5-credit or any credit combination of at least 5 credits (e.g. two 3-credit subjects).
Applicants with nine or more post-secondary credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Mature Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must be 20 years of age or older and have been out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. Applicants must have the following:
- ELA 30-1 with a minimum grade of 65 percent (or equivalent)
OR
- Six credits of university-level English with no grade less than C-
Applicants with nine or more post-secondary credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Previous Post-Secondary Work
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Admission in this category does not imply or guarantee the transfer of any coursework and/or credential unless a block transfer agreement (internal or external) is in effect and published in the calendar by the Office of the University Registrar. In addition, transfer of coursework does not imply or guarantee that an applicant will be admitted.
Applicants must have successfully completed the following from a recognized institution:
- A minimum of 24 post-secondary level credits with a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Additional Admission Criteria
All applicants must meet the following:
1. English Language Proficiency
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicable to All Admission Categories
All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in MacEwan University’s academic calendar or online MacEwan.ca/ELP.
2. Other Admission Criteria
To be evaluated through the Program
Applicable to All Admission Categories
Applicants are required to audition. Jurors will assess singing, dancing, and acting ability.