A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre 

Richard C. Taylor, Gregory D. Kunesh Department Chair in Musical Theatre, Director
203 Carpenter Hall
Norman, OK 73019-4091
Phone: (405) 325-0538
Fax: (405) 325-7663
Internet: www.ou.edu/finearts/musicaltheatre 






Faculty Roster 

Professor Cramer, Taylor; Associate Professor Christman; Assistant Professors Cook, Leseney, Reynolds-Reed; Chair and Professor Emeritus Kunesh. 

Degrees Offered 

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre 

General Information 

The A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre strives to prepare students for professional careers in musical theatre. Designed as an interdisciplinary program, the Department offers a strong educational balance between drama, music and dance brought together in musical theatre performance classes and productions. The Department works cooperatively with the Schools of Dance, Drama and Music in both classroom instruction and production opportunities. As a pre-professional and comprehensive training component within a major university, the Department is committed to the student acquiring strong artistic training along with a solid liberal arts academic background. The Department is dedicated to educating artists for the future. 

The A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre is committed to never having more than fifty students in the program at any given time. The student/faculty ratio in the Department assures the student of individual attention, career guidance, quality instruction, and performance opportunities during their undergraduate education. 

 Pal Joey production
Pal Joey picture caption

Programs for Excellence 

The A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre is one of the very few comprehensive and balanced musical theatre programs offered at a publicly supported university. The Department is a interdisciplinary degree program working cooperatively with the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts’ Schools of Dance, Drama, and Music in addition to offering courses within the Department. This performance-based degree is involved with and supported by a multitude of diverse theatrical and performance opportunities ranging from fully produced musicals, dramas, operas, dance and cabarets. These opportunities provide the student with a wide variety of experiences in which they can put classroom skills into practice. 

A special feature of the A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre is its commitment to the development of new properties through its unique partnering arrangements with recognized producers, regional theatres and creative artists who are leaders in the professional theatre world. The Department worked on such projects as “Jack” with the Shubert organization, “The Great Unknown” with Dodger productions and “Lily & Lily” with Goodspeed Musicals. This networking has led to numerous professional performance opportunities for our students while pursuing their undergraduate degree. 

During the summer, faculty members work professionally in a variety of musical theatre venues. In addition, the majority of the students in the department secure summer employment and performance contracts with professional theatres and entertainment venues throughout the country. 

Special Facilities and Programs 

The Department’s administrative and faculty offices are located in Carpenter Hall. The Musical Theatre Dance studio and Performance Classroom are also located here, along with all voice studios. The Fine Arts Center contains the 600-seat Rupel Jones Theatre and the 250-seat Weitzenhoffer Theatre as well as classrooms and studios used by drama, dance, and musical theatre. The Catlett Music Center houses the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall, the Morris R. Pittman Recital Hall, the Grayce B. Kerr Gothic Hall, as well as the FACTS Box Office for all Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts productions and concerts. In addition, Catlett houses many of the School of Music classrooms and rehearsal halls which include state of the art technology. The exquisitely renovated and restored Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center (formerly historic Holmberg Hall) is used for opera productions, faculty studios and the School of Dance offices. 

The A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre presents a major production each semester. Many of our students also participate in other University Theatre productions. Additional opportunities include cabaret/review performances for community and statewide audiences. 

Scholarship Information 

A number of scholarships, awards and tuition waivers are available to qualified students each academic year. Applications for scholarships and waivers are available through the A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre office in Carpenter Hall. Initial scholarship considerations and offers are made following admission auditions in the spring. Scholarships and waiver renewals are automatically considered each spring. Additional non-departmental scholarships and financial aid are available through the University of Oklahoma office of Financial Aid Services. These applications must be made separately, but often with departmental assistance. The following are available through the Department to qualified students: 

For specific information and deadlines, contact the A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre at (405) 325-0538. 

Undergraduate Study 

ADMISSION 

The A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre follows the basic admission requirements of the University of Oklahoma for incoming freshman and transfer students. In addition, students wishing to major in musical theatre must audition and be officially accepted into the degree program before being allowed to enroll for classes in the program. Auditions may be scheduled by contacting the A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre. Admission to the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts in good standing requires completion of a minimum of 24 hours, a minimum 2.50 combined retention GPA, and a declared Fine Arts major. 

PROFICIENCY EVALUATION 

Review of student's progress for continuation in the department will occur during the spring semesters of their freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Academic and artistic progress will be evaluated during this period accompanied by career counseling. 

Degree Requirements 

The A. Max Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre requires a minimum of 127 semester hours, including all musical theatre, drama, music, dance, and general education requirements. A minimum of 40 hours must be completed at the upper-division level. A sophomore performance exam must be successfully completed for admission into upper-division drama courses. All musical theatre majors must maintain an OU retention and combined retention grade point average of at least 2.50, with a grade of C or better in all musical theatre, drama, dance, and music courses. Successful completion of a senior capstone experience is required. For additional graduation regulations, students should refer to that section in the general Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts information. Students are advised each semester by the Department faculty concerning enrollments, advancement toward degree and career options. 

Students considering Musical Theatre as a major should contact the Department office, 203 Carpenter Hall, for curriculum requirements, admission guidelines, scheduled admission audition dates, scholarships and awards. 

September 2007