Major in Theatre 2011-2012

The Theatre and Dance department reserves the right to change major requirements at any time. Please check with the Theatre and Dance department or the CU Boulder catalog for the most current listing of requirements. You are subject to the requirements in effect at the time you declare your major as an Arts & Sciences degree seeking student.

The B.A. degree program in Theatre requires 44 credit hours in Theatre, 3 in Dance, and 6 in Dramatic Literature and/or global arts outside the department. It is a broadly based program of theatre practice and study for the student who may wish to pursue in-depth studies in another area as well. It also serves as the core of studies for a student who wishes to pursue further Theatre training in one of the B.F.A. areas of concentration. A grade of C- or better is needed in each required course toward the B.A. degree.

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below.

Courses required for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre at CU-Boulder and Colorado Community College applicable courses.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

CU-Boulder Required Courses Colorado Community College Applicable Courses
  • THTR 1011 (3) Development of Theatre 1
  • THE 211 (3) Development of Theatre I
  • THTR 1019 (3) Theatre Foundations 1
  • THTR 1105 (3) Stage Technologies
  • THTR 1115 (3) Costume Technologies
  • THTR 2003 (3) Acting 1
  • THE 111 (3) Acting I
  • THTR 2005 (3) Introduction to Theatre Design
  • THTR 2021 (3) Development of Theatre 2: Modern Theatre and Drama
  • THE 212 (3) Development of Theatre II
  • THTR 3035 (5) Production Practicum (including section 821 Tech Studio)
  • THTR 3149 (2) Professional Orientation
  • THTR 4021 (3) Development of Theatre
  • THTR 4149 (1) Theatre Internship

One upper-division performance course from the following (3):

  • THTR 3043 Voice for the Stage
  • THTR 3053 Acting 2
  • THTR 4059 Open Topics: Performance for Justice and Development
  • THTR 4063 Audition Techniques
  • THTR 4073 Performing Voices of Women
  • THTR 4103 Acting for Camera
  • Electives in theatre (all must be upper division) (9 credit hours)
  • Elective(s) in Dance (3 credit hours)
  • Electives in Dramatic Literature, outside the Department of Theatre and Dance, including at least 3 upper division courses (6 credit hours)

NOTE: It is recommended the following courses are taken during the initial year of theatre majors: THTR 1011, 1019, 1105, 1115, 2003.

NOTE: Choices must be advisor approved; BFAs do not ohave the same options as BAs.

NOTE: BFA performance students must take 3 credits in Shakespeare (ENGL 3563 or 3573).

NOTE: No more than 2 credit hours of THTR 3035 may be taken in a given semester.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The B.F.A. degree program in Theatre offers pre-professional training to a limited number of highly motivated and talented students aiming at professional careers. Admission is limited not only in terms of student capacity, but also to ensure the type of individual attention necessary for effective training. Interested students should identify themselves as early as possible.

The B.F.A. degree program consists of three areas of concentration: Performance, Theatre Design, Technology and Management, or Musical Theatre. A student may apply for all three areas of concentration, but can be admitted to only one.

In addition to the general College of Arts and Sciences requirements for the B.A. degree and the B.A. major requirements in Theatre, the additional requirements for the B.F.A. degree are as follows. (Courses taken as part of a student's B.F.A. concentration cannot also be counted towards fulfillment of the B.A. electives.)

CU-Boulder Required Courses Colorado Community College Applicable Courses

Concentration in Performance:

Students seeking a B.F.A. degree in performance must take 61 credit hours in Theatre, plus an additional 9 credit hours in other disciplines. Students accepted into the performance concentration each year constitute an ensemble and as a group follow the required sequence of courses. Specific details about this sequence are available from the department. Students in this concentration must fulfill B.A. requirements in Theatre and are required to audition for major season productions each semester.
  • THTR 3013 (3) Studio 1: Building a Character
  • THTR 3023 (3) Studio 2: Creating a Role
  • THTR 3033 (2) Acting Practicum (1 credit repeated twice)
  • THTR 3043 (3) Advanced Voice for Stage
  • THTR 4013 (3) Studio 3: Acting Shakespeare
  • THTR 4023 (3) Studio 4: Playing with Styles
  • THTR 4033 (3) Movment for the Actor
  • THTR 4193 (3) Studio 5: Creating an Ensemble

Concentration in Design, Technology, and Management:

Students seeking a B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Theatre Technology must complete 62 credit hours in Theatre, plus an additional 15 credit hours in other disciplines. Students in the Design, Technology and Management concentration must fulfill B.A. requirements in Theatre and will use electives in the BA requirements to fulfill prerequisites for the following.
  • THTR 2035 (3) Design Fundamentals
  • THTR 4085 (3) Theatre Management
  • THTR 4555 (6) Production Studio (1-2 credits repeated for a total of 6)
  • Four Advanced Technical Theatre electives (as advised) (12 credit hours)
  • As advised, courses in other departments in drawing, painting, drafting, sculpture, and/or environmental design (6 credit hours)

Concentration in Musical Theatre:

60 credit hours are required: 26 in THTR courses, 4 in DNCE courses, and 30 in the College of Music. Please see the department website for audition information and application: http://www.colorado.edu/theatredance/theatre/education2.html.

Theatre and Dance
  • THTR 1019 (3) Theatre Foundations
  • THTR 1105 (3) Stage Technologies
  • THTR 1115 (3) Costume Technologies
  • THTR 2003 (3) Acting 1
  • THE 111 (3) Acting I
  • THTR 3011 (3) Development of American Musical Theatre
  • THTR 3035 (5) Production Practicum (2 semesters)
  • THTR 3053 (3) Acting 2

or

  • THTR 2043 (3) Voice for the Stage
  • THE 112 (3) Acting II

or

  • THE 204 (93) Voice and Articulation I
  • THTR 4039 (3) Musical Theatre Repertory
  • Electives in Dance Technique (4 credit hours)

Music
  • (MUSC 1081 (3) Basic Music Theory/aural if needed)
  • MUSC 1101 (2) Music Theory 1
  • MUSC 1111 (2) Music Theory 2
  • MUSC 1121 (1) Aural Skills
  • MUSC 1131 (1) Aural Skills
  • MUSC 1802 (3) Introduction to Music History
  • Non-Western music history (2000/4000 level) (3 credit hours)
  • Western music history (2000-4000 level) (3 credit hours)
  • PMUS 1105 (1) Keyboard Musicianship 1
  • PMUS 1205 (1) Keyboard Musicianship 2
  • PMUS 1726 (9) Voice
  • PMUS 4137 (1) Opera Theatre 1
  • PMUS 4147 (1) Opera Theatre 2
  • PMUS 4157 (2) Opera Practicum

Elective courses that do not count for the Theatre Major but can be used for elective credit

Theatre courses that do not count for the major at CU

The following courses do not count for the Theatre major; however, they may be used to fulfill lower-division general elective credit at CU Boulder.

Colorado Community College Applicable Courses CU-Boulder Equivalent Course (if any)
  • THE 216 (3) Lighting and Design
  • Lower-division elective
  • THE 105 (3) Introduction to Theatre Arts
  • THTR 1009 (3) Intro to Theatre