What is musical theatre?
There is no area of human endeavor that the theatre does not touch; to teach and learn about theatre is to teach and learn about human life. Whether you live for the stage, have a love of costumes, or see yourself running things behind the scenes, a theatre degree will allow you to engage with your passion for the performing arts and for the life that the performing arts imitate. You’ll study performance, theatre history, and the elements of design and theatre technology. The program was designed with a relatively light credit load, allowing you to combine your theatre studies with another major.
Why study musical theatre at UNH?
The UNH Department of Theatre and Dance offers a variety of performance opportunities every year in musicals, plays and dance concerts, including student productions. The curriculum allows for flexibility to independently study a broad range of interests. Financial assistance provides access to internship opportunities with professional theatre or dance organizations, and our January Term study abroad program immerses students in London theatre as well as gaining insights into politics and societal issues.
Potential career areas
- Acting
- Arts organization director
- Company manager
- Director
- Marketing professional
- Theatre director
- Youth programmer
Curriculum & Requirements
From Broadway to cabaret, musical theatre is a genre that continues to captivate generations by combining acting, song, and dance. In the Musical Theatre Minor at UNH, you’ll develop and refine your talents in performance, movement, and voice while studying the history of theatre and musical theatre. You’ll have the opportunity to perform in faculty- and student-directed productions. You can combine this minor with a major such as Business or Music, or you can pursue a major in Theatre or one of its other theatre or dance options to receive a well-rounded experience for future work in theatre.
In addition to our award-winning faculty, the UNH Department of Theatre and Dance offers numerous performance opportunities every year in musicals, plays or dance concerts, including student productions. Our students get opportunities to ease into the professional world through experiences in class and in our curriculum. Our January Term study-abroad program offers a 10-day experience of London theatre, and we partner with Actor’s Connection in New York City to provide a senior showcase for industry professionals before students graduate.
Contact Tom Alsip, (603) 862-3288
Academic policies related to Minors.
No more than 8 credits can be used to satisfy both major and minor requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THDA 441 | Exploring Musical Theatre | 4 |
| or THDA 450 | History of Musical Theatre in America | |
| THDA 442 | Introduction to the Art of Acting | 4 |
| or THDA 551 | Acting I | |
| THDA 463 | Theatre Dance I | 4 |
| THDA 555 | Acting The Song | 4 |
| Select one THDA course 1 | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
- 1
Excluding THDA 500 Musical Theatre Voice I, THDA 600 Musical Theatre Voice II, and THDA 700 Musical Theatre Voice III
