Theatre - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The BA program in theatre is a broad-based program of theatre practice and study embracing creativity, research and diversity. Through performance and practice, process and research, the BA student will investigate the role of creativity within a liberal arts education. The BA in theatre investigates theatre and performance via historical context, forward-looking practice and a multiplicity of ways of knowing and making.

The BA in theatre also serves as the core of studies for a student who wishes to pursue further theatre training in one of the BFA areas of concentration.

Requirements

Program Requirements

The BA degree program in theatre requires 37 credit hours in theatre, 3 in dance and 6 in dramatic literature and/or global arts outside the department. A grade of C- or better is needed in each required course toward the BA degree, as well as an overall theatre GPA of 2.00. No more than 45 credits in THTR may be applied to overall graduation requirements. Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below.

Required Courses and Credits

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress toward a BA in theatre, students should meet the requirements in the Four-Year Plan of Study.

Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study

Through the required coursework for the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Arts & Humanities area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement.

Learning Outcomes

The undergraduate degrees in theatre emphasize knowledge and awareness of:

• The major works of dramatic literature that are representative of the most important eras in the development of theatre and drama.
• The history of theatrical production—its styles, conventions and socially related mores—from ancient civilizations to the present time.
• The various means through which a theatrical concept is realized.
• The aesthetic and intellectual relationship between theatre in its various 21st century modes and contemporary society.

In addition, students completing a degree in theatre are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:

• Define their positionality as a maker and thinker of art with responsibility and awareness within their local setting and global conversations.
• Create and perform through dance, theatre, design, technology, research, scholarship and writing.
• Make art that is relevant to their medium of expression, that generates resistance to and expands developed techniques towards contemporary relevance, and aesthetic and artistic excellence.
• Apply diverse theories to critically analyze various performance practices, approaches, compositions, forms, histories, events and scripts.
• Engage with the histories of their art form and the impact of these histories on contemporary performance challenges and opportunities.
• Build communities of greater equity and inclusion within the cultures of theatre and dance, and the broader world.
• Cultivate their responsibility as artist-citizens to have a positive impact on the world and the future.

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)

The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).

Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

BA and MA in Theatre

Admissions Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework.
• Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at CU Boulder.
• Complete all MAPS deficiencies (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only).

The typical student will be a student writing an honors thesis who will use that project as the basis for developing the MA thesis, though this is not mandatory. This new degree program is open only to students enrolled in the BA in theatre degree program at CU Boulder. 

Program Requirements

Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only 6 credits may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.

If you are interested in the BAM degree program, please contact the theatre graduate program for more information.