Chair Gail Humphries Mardirosian
Kreeger 201        202-885-3429
www.american.edu/perf_arts

Academic Counselor Marla Boren    202-885-6370
mboren@american.edu

The Department of Performing Arts offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music, Performing Arts: Music Theatre, and Performing Arts: Theatre, as well as minors in dance, music, and theatre. Tracks within majors, double majors with other programs and schools, interdisciplinary majors, internships, and study abroad are available with approval and guidance of program advisors.

Performing arts programs have rigorous academic requirements, connected to the high-caliber main stage season in the university’s new Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre. The faculty is a team of educators who are working professional artists. They stress a synthesis of broad-based intellectual knowledge, skills training in multiple artistic disciplines, adaptability, and professionalism. The Washington, D.C. artistic community provides important experiential opportunities for students, and its seasoned professionals interface with faculty and students on a regular basis. Performing arts alumni work in prestigious regional, national, and international venues.

There are several active student-run performing organizations in dance, music, and theatre. The departments’s open casting policy makes auditions and participation in all production available to non-majors as well as performing arts major and minors.

All intended performing arts majors (music, music theatre, and theatre) are required to audition for their program before formal acceptance in the degree program. Auditions are held each semester, and intended majors are encouraged to audition before their first semester of study, but may do so after matriculation at American University. More information on audition requirements for each program is available at:: www.american.edu/perf_arts .

Incoming students should check with advisors for important event dates and first semester production dates.

Suggested Program for Potential Majors

MUSIC

First Semester

• College Writing
• MUS-122 Private Instrumental or Vocal Study (2)
• PERF-124 Harmony I (3)
• PERF-227 Musicianship I (3)

or

PERF-120 Music Fundamentals (3) (if prerequisites for PERF-124 and PERF-227 are not yet met)

• PERF-142 Concert Choir (1), PERF-143 University Singers (2), PERF-144 University Orchestra (1), or PERF-145 Instrumental Ensembles (1)
• One or two General Education foundation courses

Second Semester

• College Writing Seminar
• University Mathematics Requirement
• MUS-122 Private Instrumental or Vocal Study (2)
• PERF-125 Harmony II (3) (if PERF-124 was taken in the fall)
• PERF-228 Musicianship II (3) (if PERF-227 was taken in the fall)

or

PERF-120 Music Fundamentals (3) (if not taken in the fall and prerequisites for PERF-124 and PERF-227 are not yet met)

• PERF-142 Concert Choir (1), PERF-143 University Singers (2), PERF-144 University Orchestra (1), or PERF-145 Instrumental Ensembles (1)
• General Education course

PERFORMING ARTS: MUSIC THEATRE

First Semester

• College Writing
• University Mathematics Requirement
• PERF-227 Musicianship I (3)

or

PERF-120 Music Fundamentals (3) (if prerequisites for PERF-227 are not yet met)

• PERF-251 Fundamentals of Acting I (3)
• General Education foundation course

Second Semester

• College Writing Seminar
• PERF-228 Musicianship II (3)

or

Voice and dance courses (3)

• PERF-252 Fundamentals of Acting II (3)
• General Education courses

PERFORMING ARTS: THEATRE

First Semester

• College Writing
• University Mathematics Requirement
• PERF-115/PERF-115G Theatre: Principles, Plays, and Performance 1:1 (3)
• PERF-251 Fundamentals of Acting I (3)

or

PERF-260 Principles of Production I (4)

• General Education foundation course

Second Semester

• College Writing Seminar
• PERF-252 Fundamentals of Acting II (3) (If PERF-251 was taken in the fall)

or

Theatre production course

• Theatre course
• Two General Education courses