The Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Musical Theatre is an intense 15-month program designed to train students for the competitive world of Musical Theatre. Upon successful completion of the 71.0 credit hour program, the graduate may expect to possess acting, singing and dancing skills enabling him/her to compete in a professional environment in theatre, television and film.
PROGRAM CHAIR:
MICHAEL SERRECCHIA
Our Musical Theatre Program Chair, Michael Serrecchia, was an original cast member of A Chorus Line for which he received a Special Drama Desk Award and Theatre Critics Circle Award. Other Broadway credits include The Rothchilds; The Selling of the President; Heathen; Lady Audley’s Secret; Seesaw and Sing Happy. He spent four and a half years circling the globe as Chita Rivera’s dance partner in “Chita Plus Two” for which he won a MAC Award. Dallas directing and choreography credits include The regional premiers of: A Class Act (D/FW Theatre Critics Forum Award Best Direction of a Musical) The Full Monty (Column and Stoney Awards for Best Direction and Best Choreography of a Musical) The Light in the Piazza, The Drowsey Chaperone (Dallas Critic’s Choice Award) Next to Normal (D/FW Theatre Critics Forum Award Best Direction of a Musical). Non-regional premiers include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. (D/FW Theatre Critics Forum Award Best Direction of a Musical) On Golden Pond, Lobby Hero, Almost, Maine, Moonlight and Magnolias (Stoney Award Best Direction of a Play) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Fort Worth Critic’s Award best Direction of a Musical) Duets, It’s Only Life, I’ll Leave it to You and the multi award winning production of Nine, the Musical. MichaelSerrecchia.com
Program Overview
The Musical Theater Degree Program is an intense immersion for the student who wants to prepare for a career of singing, dancing and acting. You will begin networking on your first day as your instructors are all working professionals!
Development of sight singing, interval training, choral singing and harmony will connect the keyboard, the brain and the voice. Students learn to perform duets, trios and quartets, approaching the material from an actor’s perspective. Marketability will also be enhanced by the development of dance skills: four semesters of ballet, which is the basis of all dance forms, and three of semesters of jazz and tap with emphasis on technique.
All four semesters contain acting classes, taking the student from self-exploration to dealing with a variety of characters and situations in scene work.Rounding out the curriculum, students will enjoy learning about everything from the rich heritage of their art form to the practical aspects of auditioning in the modern marketplace. Your fourth semester provides opportunities for a full-length musical production and an industry showcase for an invited audience of agents, casting directors, theatre and film directors, choreographers, producers and theatre owners — an introduction to the start of your professional career and building your network.
Join KD Conservatory and train to become a triple threat from some of the country’s top working professionals!
