Professional Training Options
Musical Theatre
Training in Musical Theatre at Southern Miss is comprehensive and includes specialized work in several departments, all with nationally accredited programs. Students entering the university may choose to major in either music or theatre, while enjoying additional training in the other areas.
Students interested in musical theatre are advised to enroll as a Bachelor of Arts student in their major, leaving room for specially selected additional training in the categories of the minor and electives. Students who choose a double major or a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Music emphasis will likely spend additional semesters while completing their degrees.
An arrangement between the Department of Theatre and Dance and the School of Music provides an advisement track for students that adds approximately 20 hours of suggested courses (about the same as most minors). Both programs allow students campus-wide to audition for major productions and both programs have a track record of casting from all three areas.
Special courses outside of the basic core and directly related to "triple threat" performance include:
Department of Theatre and Dance
- Jazz/Advanced Jazz
- Tap/Advanced Tap
- Introduction to Musical Theatre Performer
- Advanced Musical Theatre Performance (S.P.)
School of Music
- Opera Theatre
- Opera Workshop
Music Core |
Theatre Core |
| MUS 100 Music Fundamentals | THE 103 Introduction to Theatre |
| MUS 101/L Music Theory | THE 111 Oral Interpretation |
| MUS 102/L Music Theory, Continued | THE 115 Voice for the Actor |
| MUS 201/L Advanced Music Theory | THE 120 Fundamentals of Acting |
| MUS 202/L Advanced Music Theory, Continued | *Choose 2: Introduction to: THE 200/L Stagecraft; THE 201/L Costume/Makeup; THE 306/L Scenic/Lighting; THE 304 Intermediate Makeup; THE 320 Directing; THE 361 Stage Movement/Combat; |
| MUS 231 History of Music I | |
| MUS 232 History of Music II | |
| MUS 301 20th Century Harmony | THE 427 Theatre History |
| MUS 302 Form and Analysis | *Choose 1: THE 428 Theatre History II or THE 429 Dramatic and Performance Theory |
| Music History Elective (MUS 400 level) | 7 hours practicum (THE 481L-489L) |
| Major Ensemble (6 semesters at 400 level) | 12 hours Theatre Electives (Improv, Audition, etc.) |
| Major Instrument (6 semesters, one at 300/400 level) | |
| Recital (3 semesters of MUP 499, no transfer credit) | |
| Recital (MUP 395 no credit)/Music History 400 or above | |
| 4 hours Music Electives |
Additional Theatre courses advised:
THE 115 Voice for the Actor (3 credits)
THE 120 Fundamentals of Acting (3 credits)
THE 310 Intermediate Acting (3 credits)
THE 315 Intro to Musical Theatre (3 credits)
THE 361 Stage Movement (3 credits)
THE 499 British Studies (6 credits)
Additional Music courses advised:
MUP (Voice, 6 semesters @ 1 credit each)
MED or MUP 101 Piano (1 credit)
MED or MUP Intermediate Piano (1 credit)
Music electives (theory, history, ed.,
piano, opera workshop, etc. 6 credits)
Dance courses advised:
DAN 150 Beginning Modern (2 credits)
DAN 105 Beginning Tap (2 credits)
DAN 106 Beginning Jazz (2 credits)
For a full listing of all courses offered see the current Southern Miss Undergraduate Bulletin. Check with the individual department or school for special problems courses and independent study opportunities.
Department of Theatre and Dance
http://www.usm.edu/theatre
601.266.4994 (Theatre) • theatre@usm.edu
601.266.4161 (Dance) • dance@usm.edu