UB Programs At-A-Glance

Music Theatre

Department of Theatre & Dance

College of Arts and Sciences
285 Alumni Arena
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-5030

Phone: 716.645.6898
Fax: 716.645.6992
Web: www.cas.buffalo.edu/depts/theatredance

Robert Knopf
Chair

Lynne Kurdziel-Formato
Program Director

Nathan Matthews
Music Director

M. A. Casarella
Assistant to the Chair; Director, Undergraduate Advising

About the Department

The B.F.A. in Music Theatre is a performance degree that encompasses courses from three disciplines: theatre, music and dance. The objective of its comprehensive studies is to create the well-rounded professional performer who is able to succeed in an increasingly competitive and exciting field. The coursework has outside reading, writing, and historical elements as well as practical examinations. This program takes advantage of elements from existing programs in vocal music, dance, and theatre combined with historical and practical musical theatre coursework as well as performance opportunities in musicals, dramatic productions, and dance productions.

Performance spaces include the Center for the Arts on the Amherst Campus and the Katherine Cornell Theatre.

The Center for the Arts building provides a centralized location for the study of art, media study, music, theatre, and dance. The close proximity of these disciplines facilitates increased opportunities for collaboration, interdisciplinary education and creativity. This $50 million facility features state-of-the-art technical capabilities in five theatres and multiple scene shops.

The 400 seat Drama Theatre is the Theatre and Dance department's primary performance space. The Black Box and Rehearsal Workshop allow for smaller scale and experimental productions to be presented.

The Main Stage consists of an 1,800 seat house where professional theatre and dance companies perform. These companies also present master classes and workshops, offering a unique experience for all UB students.

Special Features

The location of the University at Buffalo allows students access to the surprisingly rich and varied professional performance opportunities within the Buffalo theatrical community. Irish Classical Theatre, Studio Arena, Kavinoky, Andrews, Alleyway, MusicalFare, Upstage, and Artpark, as well as many other producing organizations, provide performance opportunity and professional experience for the developing student of musical theatre.

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate: B.F.A.

About Our Degrees

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in required music theatre courses.
Minimum grade of "C+" in all required courses.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following prerequisites: TH 101, TH 106; TH 135 or TH 136; TH 109; THD 213 or THD 214; THD 201 or THD 202 or THD 263 or THD 264.
Audition.
Interview with program director at the end of the first year.
Letter of intent.

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

Suggested Introductory Courses:


The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses is: 15-30
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 15-30
Upper level/advanced courses is: 15-25

In the Music Theatre Program, what do student teaching assistants (TA's) do?

Teaching assistants serve as demonstrators, give corrections, and generally assist in the studio classes.

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

Lynne Kurdziel-Formato and Nathan Matthews have directed and/or choreographed approximately 15 musicals in the professional community, both nationally and in the local arena, over the last year. Ms. Kurdziel-Formato was recently appointed to the Executive Board of IMTTS (International Music Theatre Trainers Symposium); she and Mr. Matthews attended the symposium held this year in New York City. In aulition, Mr. Matthews holds the title of Founding Artistic Director of the Riverside Opera Ensemble and was the Music Director for The AMAS Musical Theatre Co. production of “The Robber Bridegroom” in New York City.

In summer 2004, Mr. Matthews served as musical director for “Smokey Joe’s Café” at Artpark, directed and choreographed by Ms. Kurdziel-Formato. Both Mr. Matthews and Ms. Kurdziel-Formato have serviced the theatre and dance components of the Department of Theatre & Dance in both course work and production work (Paderewski’s Children, Zodiaque Dance Company).

Special Academic Opportunities

Internship

These are possible by arrangement with the Director of Music Theatre.

Awards

  • College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Departmental Award
  • College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Senior Award
  • Departmental Honors
  • Julia Pardee Prize [Awarded for excellence in writing in theatre, dance or music theatre]
  • Performing and Creative Arts Scholarships
  • Talent Scholarships

Extracurricular Activities

The principle performance spaces for all of the following are the theatres and studios in the Center for the Arts. See Center for the Arts (click on "Venues").

Dancers Workshop

Dancers Workshop is a student organization that offers non-credit performing and related opportunities for the university community at various levels of ability and interest. Workshop advisers are members of the dance faculty.

From the Wings

From the Wings is a student organization that offers non-credit performance opportunities for, but not limited to, music theatre majors. Faculty advisors are members of the Music Theatre faculty.

The Guild

The Guild is managed entirely by students. It hosts opening night receptions, is the liaison among department faculty, staff and students, and produces evenings of new works by students.

Young Choreographers Showcase

Young Choreographers Showcase is faculty directed/mentored. Advanced level student choreographers are invited by the faculty to present a concert of their works.

Zodiaque Dance Company

The Zodiaque Dance Company is a performance training company that requires a major time commitment. Membership for the year is by audition early each fall.

Zodiaque Studio Dance Ensemble

The Ensemble is a performance training company with a fall semester commitment.

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Business Administration
  • Dance
  • History
  • Media Studies
  • Public Health and Health Professions
  • Theatre


Minors that Compliment Music Theatre

  • All Arts and Sciences
  • Management Science and Systems


Courses Outside the Major that Could Improve Employment Opportunities

  • All visual and performing arts
  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Education
  • English
  • Exercise science
  • Law
  • Management
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Advising Information

First-semester students are required to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Advising.

Career Information

Career Choices

Performance:

  • Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals
  • Cruise ship entertainment
  • Industrial promotions
  • Music videos
  • National and international tours
  • Regional theatres
  • Theme park entertainment


Other:

  • Arts management
  • Choreographer
  • Stage management
  • Television or film performer
  • Theatrical director
  • University professor


Alumni (or recent graduates) in Music Theatre have found employment in the following fields:

  • Broadway Productions – Cats, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Miss Saigon, Beauty & the Beast, The Iceman Cometh, Saturday Night Fever, Dream, Annie Get Your Gun, The Producers, Gypsy
  • National and International Tours – West Side Story, Fame, A Chorus Line, Starlight Express, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Sesame Street Live, Missoula Children’s Theatre, The King and I, Crazy For You, Footloose, 1776, Swing, Some Like It Hot, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Peter Pan, Beauty and The Beast, Fiuller On the Roof, The Music Man, Cats, Miss Saigon, Copacabana, Rileydance, Evita
  • Theme Park Entertainment – Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney, Busch Gardens, Six Flags
  • Cruise Ship Entertainment – Many major cruise lines
  • Theatrical Direction – Many professional, regional and Off-Broadway shows
  • Choreography – Many professional, regional, and Off-Broadway shows
  • Other Entertainment – Las Vegas, music videos, television, movies, industrials, etc.
  • Faculty – Positions in the SUNY system, NYU, Niagara University, etc.

Links to Further Information About This Program