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SUNY GCC - Genesee Community College

Why Consider a Musical Theatre Micro-credential from GCC?

If you’re interested in developing the necessary skills to successfully audition for musical theatre productions, this micro-credential is for you!

Who should consider a Musical Theatre Micro-credential?

  • Students with an interest in Musical Theatre who currently in our program or might later pursue a Theatre Arts A.S. degree with GCC.
  • Students who are interested in Musical Theatre and whose objective is to transfer directly into a Theatre Arts program at a four-year institution that requires an audition for admission.
  • Students in the community who just want to developed their skills in order to audition for community or professional musical theatre productions.

Learning & Skill Development:

Students will acquire the necessary skills to choose appropriate material, perform a musical theatre audition, follow and execute a musical theatre dance audition, write a singer’s/actor’s resume, and create a character to perform a song. Students will learn to:

  • Choose appropriate audition material and perform it successfully.
  • Write a successful actor’s resume.
  • Choose song material and practice material.
  • Demonstrate the ability to follow simple dance combinations at auditions

GCC’s Competitive Edge:

This is the only Musical Theatre Micro-Credential offered by a SUNY school. The five required courses are offered in-person at our Batavia campus.

The five courses are:

THE 103-Fundamentals of Acting (3 credits)

Introduces basic acting techniques with emphasis on personal characterization. Student actors strengthen their self-knowledge and determine a unique point of view through individual and group improvisations, sensory exploration and text work.

MUS 128- Applied Music Voice Lessons (1 credit)

Instruction in voice by a qualified private teacher. Hours to be arranged with instructor. Students registered for Private Voice Lessons will be charged an Applied Music fee of $400 per course to offset the additional costs of private instruction, in addition to the College’s standard tuition and fees. This fee is 100% refundable prior to the first day of the term, and non-refundable on or after the first day of term. A minimum of twelve 40-minute lessons is required per semester for 1 academic credit. Students are required to present a performance examination at the end of each term. Prior experience is not necessary.

MUS 129- Applied Music Voice Lessons (1 credit)

Instruction in voice by a qualified private teacher. Hours to be arranged with instructor. Students registered for Private Voice Lessons will be charged an Applied Music fee of $400 per course to offset the additional costs of private instruction, in addition to the College’s standard tuition and fees. This fee is 100% refundable prior to the first day of the term, and non-refundable on or after the first day of term. A minimum of twelve 40-minute lessons is required per semester for 1 academic credit. Students are required to present a performance examination at the end of each term. Prior experience is not necessary. Prerequisite: MUS128

THE-205-Audition Techniques (3 credits)

Explores the audition process. Prepares students to choose appropriate material for the individual actor. Reviews and continues the exploration of a variety of acting styles (Stanislavski, Method, Meisner). Teaches resume writing techniques, how to select a photographer and appropriate pictures, and interviewing skills for working with producers and directors. Works on the audition process: breaking a monologue into objectives and beats and performing several monologues in an array of genres.

DAN 296-Dance for Musical Theatre (3 credits)

Introduces student to contemporary/popular musical theatre movement techniques and choreographers. Surveys history and aesthetics of the time period selected through studio work, video, film, text and discussion. Includes rehearsal and performance of a final dance project.

Turn Your Micro-Credential Into An Associate Degree

Students can also apply ALL of these micro-credential credits to a Theatre Arts Associate in Applied Science degree (or others) right here at GCC!

Getting Started

To discuss the Musical Theatre Micro-credential opportunity, contact Maryanne Arena, Director/Professor of Fine & Performing Arts, mcarena@dos5.net, 585-343-0055 x6439.