Our Master of Arts in Theatre & Performance Studies is committed to performance as research as integral to the study of the history, theory and practice of theatre and performance from around the world. We approach performance simultaneously as an object of study, a way of knowing and a methodological tool, and are invested in the ways in which it can help us better understand—and challenge—the complicated legacies of our own academic disciplines and artistic practices. Our courses place dramatic texts, performance traditions, and applied performance from throughout history in conversation with contemporary performance. We ask: How might this performance work today? What challenges does it present to the contemporary scholar, maker or facilitator? What role do gender race, and/or coloniality play in this work? Why is it relevant today?

We offer two tracks in our MA in Theatre & Performance Studies, the thesis and the non-thesis track. The thesis track prepares students to pursue a PhD, requiring students to write and defend a substantial research document demonstrating mature critical thought and based on independent study and investigation. 

The non-thesis track allows students to further their interests through coursework, and requires written and oral exams. Students in this track will complete a culminating project that will serve as a unifying goal for their MA experience. This project might be a creative project, a research study, a management project, an engaged performance experience, or beyond.

MA students who are accepted into the PhD program complete their PhD in an additional three years.

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program

Students may earn this degree as part of the Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's (BAM) degree program, which allows currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time.

For more information, see the Accelerated Master's tab for the associated bachelor's degree(s): Theatre - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Requirements

Prerequisites

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75. While a bachelor's degree in theatre is not a requirement, theatre experience is highly desirable.

Program Requirements

Required Courses and Credits

Students must earn 30 credit hours, at least 24 of which must be at the 5000 level or above. A maximum of 6 credit hours may be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level at the discretion of the student's academic advisor. Theatre courses below the 5000 level cannot be counted toward the degree. Courses in which grades below B- are received are not accepted for master's degree programs.

The degree is normally completed in four semesters (excluding summers).

Students must declare either the thesis or non-thesis option by the start of their third semester. Those choosing the thesis option will apply 4–6 thesis credit hours toward the 30-credit-hour requirement.

Elective Coursework

MA students are encouraged to take elective courses offered by theatre graduate faculty members in their area of research (e.g., performing voices of women, performance studies, directing, performance and community engagement), as well as graduate dance courses (e.g., graduate dance technique, advanced dance composition, African dance). When approved by the student's advisor, MA students are encouraged to take courses in other departments. Electives are determined by students and their advisors, consistent with Graduate School and departmental requirements. All coursework applying towards the degree must be taught by members of the graduate faculty holding current graduate faculty appointments. 

Graduate Independent Study

Independent study is used for projects, research and educational opportunities both in and outside of the department. It may not be used as an avenue for taking undergraduate courses in the major department or replicating existing graduate classes. Independent study coursework cannot exceed 25 percent of the coursework required for the master's degree.

Production Research and Practicum Courses

These courses in acting, directing, design and dramaturgy may be taken for 1–3 credits. A limit of 3 credits in each category may apply toward the degree. All courses are supervised by members of the graduate faculty; regular meetings with the instructor of record are required. 

Guidelines for flexible credit are:

  • one credit hour for successfully completing the project;
  • two credit hours for completing the project and submitting a written record of it (e.g., an actor's journal, a director's regiebuch);
  • three credits hours for doing all of the above and writing a pertinent 15 to 25 page research paper, with the topic to be determined in consultation with the advisor.

MA Degree Tracks

The MA program in Theatre & Performance Studies has two tracks: a thesis option and non-thesis option. Students must declare either track by the start of their third semester.  

Track I: Thesis Option

This track prepares students to pursue a PhD degree at CU or elsewhere. Students must write a thesis, a substantial research document demonstrating mature critical thought based on independent study and investigation. Students must demonstrate proficiency in three areas: academic coursework, the thesis and the final exam (oral).

Students in the thesis track take two one-hour oral examinations back-to-back (i.e. on the same day) after the majority of coursework for the degree has been completed and the master's thesis is "essentially" complete. The first oral exam covers coursework. The second oral examination covers the thesis.

Required Courses and Credits for the Thesis Track
Required Courses
THDN 5010Introduction to Performance Studies3
THTR 5011Seminar: Theory and Criticism3
THDN 6009Research and Teaching in Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies2
Select two of the following:6
Theatre and Performance Histories 1
On-Stage Studies: Shakespeare
On-Stage Studies: American Theatre
Theatre and Performance Histories 2
On Stage Studies: Global Contemporary Theatre
Thesis Work
THTR 6959Master's Thesis (taken in fourth semester for thesis completion) 14
Electives12
Any graduate-level THTR course
Any THDN, TDXD or DNCE course at the 3000 level or above 2
Courses from other departments at the 3000 level or above, if approved by the student's advisor 2
Total Credit Hours30

Track II: Non-Thesis Option

Students who do not plan to pursue a PhD can elect the non-thesis track, which requires a two-part comprehensive exam, comprised of a take home written exam and a 1.5-hour oral exam. The written and oral exams will be comprehensive, covering all coursework presented for the degree. The exam will take place near the end of the last semester of coursework.

Students in this track will complete a culminating project that will serve as a unifying goal for their MA experience. This project might be a creative project, a research study, a management project, an engaged performance experience, or beyond. To complete the non-thesis track, students must demonstrate proficiency in two areas: academic coursework and the final exam (written and oral).

Required Courses and Credits for Non-Thesis Track
Required Courses
THDN 5010Introduction to Performance Studies3
THTR 5011Seminar: Theory and Criticism3
THDN 6009Research and Teaching in Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies2
Select two of the following:6
Theatre and Performance Histories 1
On-Stage Studies: Shakespeare
On-Stage Studies: American Theatre
Theatre and Performance Histories 2
On Stage Studies: Global Contemporary Theatre
Final Project
THTR 6849Independent Study3
Electives13
Any graduate-level THTR course
Any THDN, TDXD or DNCE course at the 3000 level or above 1
Courses from other departments at the 3000 level or above, if approved by the student's advisor 1
Total Credit Hours30

Plan(s) of Study

Thesis Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
THDN 6009 Research and Teaching in Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies 2
THDN 5010
Introduction to Performance Studies (5010 & 5011 are available alternating semesters)
or Seminar: Theory and Criticism
3
On-Stage Studies Seminar or Electives 3
 Credit Hours8
Spring Semester
On-Stage Studies Seminar and/or Electives 7
 Credit Hours7
Year Two
Fall Semester
THTR 5011
Seminar: Theory and Criticism (5010 & 5011 are available alternating fall semesters)
or Introduction to Performance Studies
3
On-Stage Studies Seminar or Electives 5
 Credit Hours8
Spring Semester
On-Stage Studies Seminar or Electives 3
THTR 6959 Master's Thesis 4
 Credit Hours7
 Total Credit Hours30

Non-Thesis Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
THDN 5010
Introduction to Performance Studies (5010 & 5011 are available alternating semesters)
or Seminar: Theory and Criticism
3
THDN 6009 Research and Teaching in Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies 2
On-Stage Studies Seminar or Electives 3
 Credit Hours8
Spring Semester
On-Stage Studies Seminar and/or Electives 7
 Credit Hours7
Year Two
Fall Semester
THTR 5011
Seminar: Theory and Criticism (5010 & 5011 are available alternating fall semesters)
or Introduction to Performance Studies
3
On-Stage Studies Seminar and/or Electives 4
 Credit Hours7
Spring Semester
On-Stage Studies Seminar and/or Electives 5
THTR 6849 Independent Study (Culminating Project) 3
 Credit Hours8
 Total Credit Hours30

Dual Degree Program

MA/MBA in Theatre and Performance Studies

The Department of Theatre & Dance, in conjunction with the Leeds School of Business, offers students the ability to earn an MBA and an MA in Theatre & Performance Studies through a three-year dual degree program. The dual MA/MBA offers students the opportunity to earn both degrees together in less time than if the degrees were earned sequentially. An MBA degree in combination with an MA degree in Theatre & Performance Studies will provide students with a set of business tools to complement their artistic talents and expand their career options. 

Students in the MA/MBA dual degree program pursue careers in a wide variety of fields and jobs in the world of the performing arts. Types of organizations include theatre companies, dance companies, opera companies, symphonies, arts councils, performing arts complexes, civic auditoriums, not-for-profit organizations and arts presenters.

Application Process

Students may apply either to the Department of Theatre & Dance for the MA degree program or to the Leeds School of Business for the MBA degree program.  Having been accepted, they will subsequently apply to the other degree program.  

Alternatively, students may apply for both programs simultaneously, in which case students must apply to each program separately and meet the admissions standards for each program separately.

NOTE: Residents of U.S. Western states, including Alaska and Hawaii, may be eligible for in-state tuition for this dual degree program, provided the student applies and is accepted to both programs in the same admissions cycle. For more information, visit the Western Regional Graduate Program webpage.

Program Requirements

The MA/MBA is a dual degree program, and its curriculum is best conceived that way. A minimum of 67 approved credit hours must be completed to earn both degrees.  Dual degree students will be required to complete 43 hours of MBA coursework and 24 hours of theatre/dance coursework. The dual degree agreement allows students to count 18 credit hours of courses towards both degrees.

First-year students in the MA/MB​A in Theatre & Performance Studies take courses exclusively in either the Leeds School of Business or the Department of Theatre & Dance. In the second year, courses are taken exclusively in the other program. The third year offers students the opportunity to take both MBA and theatre/dance elective courses. 

Because of the two-year cohort model at Leeds School of Business, students are advised to start their coursework in the Department of Theatre & Dance. This is the case even if the student was admitted to both programs simultaneously. 

Coursework for the MBA portion of the Dual MA/MBA in Theatre & Performance Studies can be found on the Leeds School of Business catalog page. The MBA requires 55 credit hours. MA/MBA students will complete 43 credit hours of business courses. Twelve credit hours from the student's coursework for the MA will count toward the MBA.

The MA in Theatre & Performance Studies requires 30 credit hours, 24 of which must be at the 5000 level or above. Six credit hours from the student's work in the Leeds School of Business will count toward the MA in Theatre & Performance Studies. Students are encouraged to explore classes outside the Department of Theatre & Dance for some of their electives, as approved by their advisor. 

All coursework applying towards the degree must be taught by members of the graduate faculty holding current graduate faculty appointments. Theatre courses below the 5000 level cannot be counted toward the degree.

Courses in which grades below B are received are not accepted for the MA in Theatre & Performance Studies.

Students in the MA/MBA will choose between the thesis track and the non-thesis track. Those choosing the thesis track will take 4–6 master's thesis credit hours and the number of electives in THTR or DNCE will be adjusted accordingly.

MA Coursework Requirements for the MA/MBA in Theatre & Performance Studies

Required Courses
THDN 6009Research and Teaching in Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies2
THTR 5011Seminar: Theory and Criticism3
or THDN 5010 Introduction to Performance Studies
or DNCE 6047 Dance Studies
Select two of the following:6
Theatre and Performance Histories 1
On-Stage Studies: Shakespeare
On-Stage Studies: American Theatre
Theatre and Performance Histories 2
On Stage Studies: Global Contemporary Theatre
Contemporary Concert Dance: Shifting Perspectives in Performance
Dancing Histories: Sex, Gender and Race in U.S. Concert Dance
Performance and Community Engagement
THTR 5085Theatre Management3
or DNCE 6056 Professional Development
THTR 4061Directing (depending on experience)3
or THTR 5071 Advanced Directing
Electives in THTR or DNCE 17
Any THTR graduate level course
Any THDN, TDXD or DNCE course at the 3000-level or above 2
Courses from other departments at the 3000-level or above, if approved by the student's advisor 2
Six hours of coursework taken in the Leeds School of Business6
Total Credit Hours30

Learning Outcomes  

The goal of the MA, MA/MBA, BAM Degrees in Theatre & Performance Studies is to cultivate rigorous study, creative practice, and ethical teaching of theatre and performance within a vibrant culture of inquiry and innovation that is grounded in histories, builds towards equity, and expands with possibilities.

Measurable learning objectives based on these goals include:

  • To know and critically analyze theory, practice, literature, histories, ethical implications and innovation within our expansive fields of theatre and performance studies.
  • To creatively engage theory, practice, literature, histories, ethical implications and innovation within our expansive fields of theatre and performance studies (creative engagement could be realized through scholarship, dramaturgy, performance, design, direction, facilitation, co-creation and beyond).
  • To develop individual strategies for teaching theory, practice, literature, histories, ethical implications and innovation within our expansive fields of theatre and performance studies.
  • To learn and practice positive qualities as future professional colleagues.
  • To learn methods, strategies and approaches for dismantling structural inequality and building more inclusive, accessible and equitable ways to research, create and teach.
  • To demonstrate the ability to synthesize comprehensive knowledge of the field of theatre and performance studies, and contribute new knowledge of sufficient breath and relevance to our field and beyond.

We use the indicators below to measure the extent to which a student has reached the above learning objectives.

  • Coursework
  • Research and creative work 
  • Professional and outward-facing development
  • For non-thesis track: completion of culminating project and exam
  • For thesis track: completion of thesis and exam