The triple threat of the Musical Theatre Major and Minor

Students perform in Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe
Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. Photo credit: Jonas Grushkin

At Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, Musical Theatre students learn by doing. Whether you pursue the full Bachelor of Arts or add the Musical Theatre Minor alongside another major, you’ll build performance skills through studio training, coursework, and live productions that are part of the curriculum.

You’ll study voice, acting, and dance while developing the professional habits needed for auditions, rehearsals, ensemble work, and performance.

  • Musical Theatre Major
  • Musical Theatre Minor
Musical Theatre Major

The Musical Theatre Major gives students a foundation in voice, acting, movement, music theory, theatre history, production, and performance. Coursework and production experience help students build the skills needed for musical theatre performance, rehearsal, and audition settings.

What you'll learn

  • Music theory and score reading: Harmony, rhythm, and score reading applied to musical theatre performance
  • Musical theatre history and style: The genre’s roots, major developments, and contemporary practice
  • Scene study and rehearsal practice: Integrating text, song, and physical performance in rehearsal contexts
  • Voice: Individual applied voice instruction across multiple semesters
  • Acting: Foundational and advanced stage acting, character development, and audition practice
  • Dance: Training in ballet, jazz, and tap at introductory and advanced levels
  • Theatrical production: Academic credit earned through participation in department productions each semester

Audition requirements for the Musical Theatre major

An audition is required for admission to the Musical Theatre program. Auditions take place each spring, with scholarships announced immediately following. Prospective students must be admitted to Fort Lewis College before auditioning. Any student may participate in the Major for a Day program before auditioning.

Audition dates are closed for 2026-27.

Musical Theatre Minor

The Musical Theatre Minor gives students in any major a 21-credit foundation in voice, acting, dance, music theory, and performance. No audition is required to declare the minor, and students earn academic credit while participating in live productions alongside Musical Theatre majors.

What you’ll learn

The minor includes coursework and performance experience in:

  • Voice: Private applied voice instruction (MU 109B, 2 credits required)
  • Acting: Acting Techniques I (THEA 138)—stage fundamentals, scene work, and character development
  • Music theory and history: Music Theory for Musical Theatre (MT 100), Introduction to Musical Theatre (MT 101), and Scene Study (MT 201)
  • Dance: 4 credits from ballet, jazz, and tap at introductory or advanced levels
  • Ensemble or production: 2 credits through Concert Choir (MU 105/305) or Theatrical Production—Performance (THEA 100/300)

Find out the Musical Theatre Minor credit requirements in the FLC catalog

Declare the Musical Theatre Minor

Schedule or submit your audition

Audition requirements
Acceptance & scholarships
Inclusive Casting Statement