The BFA degree concentrations in theatre offer pre-professional training to highly-motivated students aiming at professional careers in certain disciplines. The BFA student will pursue one of three concentration areas: acting, design/technology/management or musical theatre. Students may elect to further focus within one of these degree tracks.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Admission is based on talent, academic record, motivation, auditions and/or interviews. Enrollment is limited to ensure individual attention necessary for effective training. Interested students should identify themselves as early as possible. Contact the department for information regarding how to apply to the BFA degree concentrations.
Formal application to the:
- musical theatre concentration should be made concurrently with an application to the university. Auditions and interviews will be held at the regular spring auditions for the College of Music.
- acting concentration should be made at the beginning of the spring semester.
- design/technology/management concentrations should be made at the beginning of the spring semester.
Students are subject to the requirements in place at the time of admission to the BFA.
General Degree Requirements
The College of Arts & Sciences counts a maximum of 67 credit hours of THTR credits toward the total credit hours required for graduation. A grade of C- or higher is needed in all required courses to fulfill the requirements of the BFA degree, as well as an overall Theatre GPA of 2.00.
In addition to the specific course requirements listed for completing a BFA degree in Acting and Design/Technology/Management concentrations, students must fulfill all requirements for the BA degree in Theatre.
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 BFA in theatre students should meet the following requirements:
- By Dec. 1 of the year before the first semester, declare in writing the intention to audition for the BFA in Musical Theatre.
- During the second semester (acting concentration) or third semester (design/technology/management concentrations), complete the audition and interview.
- Immediately upon acceptance into a BFA concentration declare the major.
- Once accepted into a BFA concentration, meet with a departmental advisor to confirm in writing specific courses to be completed within the remaining semesters of study.
Concentrations
Acting Concentration
The BFA in acting begins as early as the sophomore year. Interested students will begin on the CU Boulder campus as BA students taking a series of preparatory courses. This allows students to begin their training without blindly committing to an intensive curricular path.
As students are eligible to audition for all CU performance opportunities when they arrive on campus, this timeline also gives students and faculty the chance to work together before making a major commitment.
Auditions to transition from BA to BFA in acting generally take place around spring break. The BFA in acting curriculum is designed to be completed in 6 semesters, allowing a student to graduate in 4 years. For students on an alternate timeline (such as transfer students) the curriculum can be completed in as few as 4 semesters.
Visit the Theatre & Dance website for more information on the BFA in acting.
Design/Technology/Management Concentrations
In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences core requirements, students pursuing a BFA in design, technology or management must complete up to 67 credits in theatre and an additional 15 credits in other disciplines. Students who choose this concentration must elect one primary emphasis (design, technology or management) but may have opportunities to explore other emphases.
The BFA in design/technology/management begins as early as the sophomore year. Interested students will begin on the CU Boulder campus as BA students taking a series of preparatory courses. This allows students to begin their training without blindly committing to an intensive curricular path.
As students are eligible to be involved in all CU performance opportunities when they arrive on campus, this timeline also gives students and faculty the chance to work together before making a major commitment.
Interviews to transition from BA to BFA in design/technology/management generally take place around spring break. The BFA in design/technology/management curriculum is designed to be completed in 6 semesters, allowing a student to graduate in 4 years. For students on an alternate timeline (such as transfer students) the curriculum can be completed in as few as 4 semesters.
For more information on the BFA design/technology/management program, visit the Theatre & Dance website.
Musical Theatre Concentration
The BFA in musical theatre begins in the freshman year. Interested students will submit pre-screen audition materials during the fall of their high school senior year. A selection of students from the pre-screen will be invited to audition in person during the winter of their high school senior year (generally late January, early February). Invitations to the program will be made around spring break.
For application timeline, required materials and submission information for the BFA in Musical Theatre, visit the Theatre & Dance website.
In addition to coursework, all students are eligible to be involved in all CU performance opportunities when they arrive on campus.
Four-Year Plans of Study
Through the required coursework for all concentrations in the BFA in Theatre, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Arts & Humanities area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement.
Acting Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| THTR 1003 | Acting 1 | 3 |
| THTR 1019 | Script Laboratory: Text Analysis and Practice for the Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 1050 | Introduction to Stagecraft and Design | 2 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/US Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 2021 | Global Theatre 2: Contemporary Relevance and Resonance of Pre-Colonial Theatre and Performance | 3 |
| THTR 3035 | Production Practicum (Run Crew) | 1 |
| Dance Electives | 2 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: QRMS) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 1011 | Global Theatre 1: Live Performance to Shakespeare | 3 |
| THTR 2043 | Voice and Movement for the Stage | 3 |
| THTR 2050 | Technical Theatre for Performance | 2 |
| THTR 3013 | Studio 1: Building a Character | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) | 4 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 3023 | Studio 2: Creating a Role | 3 |
| THTR 3033 | Production Research and Practicum: Acting | 1 |
| THTR 3043 | Advanced Voice for the Stage | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 3033 | Production Research and Practicum: Acting | 1-3 |
| THTR 4033 | Advanced Movement for the Stage | 3 |
| THTR 4013 | Studio 3: Acting Shakespeare | 3 |
| THTR 4061 | Directing | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13-15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 3149 | Professional Orientation: Exploring Professional Potentials for THTR and DNCE Majors | 2 |
| THTR 4023 | Studio 4: Playing with Styles | 3 |
| THTR 4063 | Audition Techniques | 3 |
| ENGL 3563 | Shakespeare in Dialogue (Or another Shakespeare Course in ENGL) | 3 |
| Dance Elective | 1 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 4149 | Theatre Internship | 1 |
| THTR 4193 | Studio 5: Senior Project 1 | 3 |
| THTR Elective | 3 | |
| Dramatic Literature/Global Arts & Literature | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 4021 | Global Theatre and Performance 2: Contesting the Status Quo | 3 |
| THTR Electives | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 122-124 | |
| 1 | Students may take 1-3 credits of THTR 4117 as credit for THTR 4193. |
Design/Technology/Management Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| THTR 1019 | Script Laboratory: Text Analysis and Practice for the Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 1050 | Introduction to Stagecraft and Design | 2 |
| THTR 3035 | Production Practicum | 1-2 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/US Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 1003 | Acting 1 | 3 |
| THTR 2050 | Technical Theatre for Performance | 2 |
| THTR 2105 | Introduction to Performance Design | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: QRMS) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 1011 | Global Theatre 1: Live Performance to Shakespeare | 3 |
| Des/Tech Required Course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) | 4 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 2021 | Global Theatre 2: Contemporary Relevance and Resonance of Pre-Colonial Theatre and Performance | 3 |
| THTR 3045 | Stage Management (Or Des/Tech Required Course) | 3 |
| THTR 3149 | Professional Orientation: Exploring Professional Potentials for THTR and DNCE Majors | 2 |
| THTR 4555 | Production Studio | 1-2 |
| Des/Tech Required Course | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18-19 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 4021 | Global Theatre and Performance 2: Contesting the Status Quo | 3 |
| THTR 4149 | Theatre Internship | 1-3 |
| THTR 4555 | Production Studio | 1 |
| Des/Tech Required Courses | 6 | |
| TDM Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 4555 | Production Studio | 1 |
| Des/Tech Required Course | 6 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 4555 | Production Studio | 1-2 |
| THTR Elective | 3 | |
| Dance Elective | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13-14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 4555 | Production Studio | 1 |
| THTR Elective | 3 | |
| DTM Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 119-124 | |
Musical Theatre Concentration
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
| THTR 1117 | Musical Theatre Studio I | 2 |
| MUSC 1101 | Semester 1 Theory | 2 |
| MUSC 1121 | Aural Skills Lab, Semester 1 | 1 |
| PMUS 1105 or MUEL 1115 | Keyboard Musicianship 1 or Piano Class 1 | 1 |
| PMUS 1726 | Voice | 2 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/US Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| MUEL 1081 | Basic Music Theory (if needed) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 1217 | Musical Theatre Lab 2 | 2 |
| THTR 3035 | Production Practicum (Run Crew) | 1 |
| MUSC 1111 | Semester 2 Theory | 2 |
| MUSC 1131 | Aural Skills Lab, Semester 2 | 1 |
| PMUS 1205 or MUEL 1125 | Keyboard-Musicianship 2 or Piano Class II | 1 |
| PMUS 1726 | Voice | 2 |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: QRMS) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 1050 | Introduction to Stagecraft and Design | 2 |
| THTR 2043 | Voice and Movement for the Stage | 3 |
| MUSC 1802 | Introduction to Musical Styles and Ideas | 3 |
| PMUS 2726 | Voice | 2 |
| Dance Elective | 2 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (Natural Sciences and Lab) | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PMUS 2117 | Musical Theatre Studio Class III | 2 |
| PMUS 2726 | Voice | 3 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 2050 | Technical Theatre for Performance | 2 |
| THTR 3033 | Production Research and Practicum: Acting | 1-3 |
| Music History | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution/Diversity course (example: Social Sciences/Global Perspective) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) | 3 | |
| Elective/MAPS | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PMUS 3117 | Musical Theatre Studio Class IV | 2 |
| THTR 3011 | American Musical Theatre History | 3 |
| THTR 3149 | Professional Orientation: Exploring Professional Potentials for THTR and DNCE Majors | 2 |
| THTR 4039 | Musical Theatre Repertory | 3 |
| Dance Elective | 2 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PMUS 4137 | Opera Theatre 1 | 1 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PMUS 4147 | Opera Theatre 2 | 1 |
| THTR 4117 | Musical Theatre Lab 5: Senior Showcase Experience | 1-3 |
| THTR 4149 | Theatre Internship | 1 |
| Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-17 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-124 | |