Career opportunities
Graduates of the BPA pursue careers in a wide range of performance forms and styles, as well as in performing arts-related education, media and other related fields. Our programme enables the development of a range of skills.
While the skills and knowledge gained will prove invaluable for those desiring a career in musical/theatrical forms and performing arts education, they are equally useful for many career paths.
Cultural knowledge and skills gained through creative practice and historical and theoretical study are valued, for example, in journalism, advertising, marketing, law, medicine, and many other occupations. You will develop many generic skills employers seek including:
- teamwork and leadership
- effective oral and written communication
- gathering and processing of information
- analysis, critical evaluation and problem solving
- organisational skills and time-management
- lateral and critical thinking
- creativity
- self-confidence and self-motivation
- independent judgement
Passion, performance and pathways
Sophie Whibley shares her journey from classical voice to musical theatre at Otago — combining singing, dance, and theatre with Religious Studies, and performing in everything from Shakespeare to Les Misérables.
Read transcript
Hi everyone, my name is Sophie Whibley and I’m currently in my third year of a Bachelor Performing Arts programme with a minor in Religious Studies.
Now my background is actually in classical voice, but I’ve always had an interest in musical theatre, and throughout high school I was involved in all types of shows inside and outside of school. My roles have included Louisa in The Sound of Music, Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, I was in the ensemble for Ovation for Terry Musical Society, and I’ve been cast in Les Misérables at the Regent Theatre.
Now, I came to Otago with the intention of pursuing Health Sci, but then I decided that I would instead pursue my passion of singing, with also my interest in Religious Studies.
The Performing Arts programme at Otago is an amazing, well-rounded program with excellent lecturers in dance, theatre and singing, with also a bit of music theory involved as well.
So, I also dance outside of uni — I do tap dancing — and the diverse range of dance papers at Otago allows me to insert my passion of tap into the dance program. Now, with dance assessments, we actually perform at the Lunchtime Theatre concerts at uni here, and that gives us the opportunity to perform in front of our peers and get assessed.
With Lunchtime at Theatre, we also are able to do that with our theatre papers and do all kinds of acting and all kinds of diverse theatre such as Shakespeare and improv.
Now, with the singing papers, we have an amazing lecturer, Arlie, and she really pushes us to expand our range and really have a diverse repertoire in our singing, which prepares us for auditions and performances.
Now, an example of this is Omar Sharif from The Band’s Visit, and I will be singing that for you today.
[Music]
And the living room becomes a garden
And the TV set becomes a fountain
And the music flows in the garden
And everything grows
Umm Kulthum and Omar Sharif
Came floating on a jasmine wind
Flying in on a jasmine wind
Umm Kulthum and Omar Sharif
And we danced with them
On a jasmine scented wind
Umm Kulthum and Omar Sharif
Requirements for other music papers
The first-year composition paper, MUSI 131, requires that beginning students are comfortable in both the reading and writing of music. The songwriting paper, MUSI 135, does not require an audition or other requirements and is open to all students regardless of whether they can read or write music notation.
Requirements for entry into the theatre and dance papers
There are no auditions required for entry into the theatre and dance papers.
Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study
The Bachelor of Performing Arts is a blended specialist degree that contains practice-based training in some key areas for which students must pass an audition to be accepted.
If you choose papers in singing or playing an instrument, you must audition for entry. These papers are MUSI 141 (Performance), MUSI 146 (Contemporary Music Performance), PERF 102 (Musical Theatre Voice) and MUSI 140 (Music Studies – available in any instrument).
Auditions for these performance papers normally take place in Dunedin during the last weekend of September for entry the following year. It is also possible to audition by video, with these due by 1 September for entry the following year. Late applications may be considered.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | THEA 153 Voice and Movement | 18 |
|
Plus 90 points from the following papers from at least TWO different subject codes (DANC, MUSI, THEA):
DANC 101, MUSI 104, MUSI 131, MUSI 132, MUSI 135 , MUSI 140, MUSI 143, MUSI 144, THEA 152, THEA 154 MAOR 108 can be substituted for one 100-level MUSI paper. | 90 | |
| Above 100-level | PERF 205 The Creative Industries or PERF 305 The Creative Industries | 18 |
|
A further 144 points from the following papers from at least TWO different subject codes (DANC, MUSI, THEA)
DANC 201, DANC 204, MUSI 232, MUSI 233, MUSI 234, MUSI 240, MUSI 243, MUSI 244, MUSI 268, THEA 241, THEA 252, THEA 256, DANC 301, DANC 304, MUSI 332 , MUSI 333, MUSI 334, MUSI 340, MUSI 343, MUSI 344, MUSI 368, MUSI 375, MUSI 379, MUSI 386, THEA 341 , THEA 351, THEA 352, THEA 356 90 points must be at the 300-level and must include at least one of PERF 301; MUSI 343 (Musical Theatre Voice option). MAOR 208 can be substituted for one 200-level MUSI paper and MAOR 308 can be substituted for one 300-level MUSI paper. | 144 | |
| Plus | Further papers in any subjects at any level worth 90 points. | 90 |
| Total | 360 |
More information
Have a question or need support? AskOtago can connect you with the right team for personalised help.
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
Not sure what to study?
Take our short quiz to uncover study options matched to your background and interests.
Take the quiz