The Shen Curriculum for Musical Theater examines the American Musical Theater as an indigenous American art form, one informed and influenced by changing cultural, socio-economic, ethnic and musical tastes and styles. Courses in composition, history, lyric writing, libretto writing and performance complement courses in music theory, music history, dramatic theory, dramatic history and performance offered by the Department of Music, and Theater and Performance Studies Program. Shen courses combine a grounding in skill-based study with history, analysis and theory. The Shen Curriculum faculty consists of scholars and working professionals in the field, including composers, directors, lyricists, librettists, directors and performers. The curriculum is administered by the Department of Music; most courses are cross-listed with Theater and Performance Studies and/or the Yale School of Drama.
Here are a few relevant links:
Music Theater Course Offerings
Theater and Dance Research Guide
Also under the Shen umbrella, a flourishing co-curricular program, led by the Fridays @ Five series of master classes and discussions, seeks to bridge the gap between liberal arts study of musical theater topics and a more hands-on approach to performance and critique of new composition. Guest artists for Fridays @ Five represent a cross-section of prominent industry professionals. In addition, the Curriculum offers co-curricular voice lessons in musical theater technique taught by Broadway professionals.
Inquiries should be addressed to Daniel Egan, Coordinator of the Shen Curriculum.