Theatre Major, B.F.A.

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Department of Theatre and Dance

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Available Program Format(s): In-Person

About the Program

Theatre is “Equipment for Living.” That’s the philosophy behind the MSU Denver Theatre program.

MSU Denver’s B.F.A. in Theatre degree is an intensive pre-professional program that offers two concentrations:

Music Theatre
Applied Theatre Technology and Design

Music Theatre provides rich opportunities for performing; Applied Theatre Technology and Design provides hands-on technical theatre experience. These experiences are provided both in class and onstage as well as through on-campus productions, internships at local theatres and with the University’s own professional Kaiser Permanente Touring Company, which delivers health-oriented performances in local schools.

Taught by veteran teachers who are also theatre and design professionals, you receive the kind of mentoring you need to make your way as an actor, theatre technician or designer, as well as discover ways to use your Theatre training in other fields. As a Theatre major, you study the academic side of Theatre as well as receive opportunities to perform and work in campus productions, serve as a production dramaturge, become part of an MSU Denver touring company, intern at local theatres and participate in regional and national theatre competitions.

MSU Denver’s Theatre program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. The program not only prepares you for further graduate studies, but also provides the training necessary for careers in voice, film and theatre and other media. Many Theatre majors also translate their Theatre degrees into careers such as teaching, sales, law, business, communications and more.

Student Outcomes

Demonstrate a solid understanding of the business of theatre as it applies to one’s chosen concentration, especially an understanding of how to secure and maintain employment.
Demonstrate the ability to exercise the skills of one’s chosen concentration with other theatre skill areas.
Demonstrate the ability to think logically and critically.
Demonstrate the ability to verbalize and/or write coherent and insightful criticism of dramatic literature and theatre production.
Articulate the role of the arts, and theatre specifically, in diverse cultures represented in the city, state, and country.
Work effectively and productively as a member of groups.
Demonstrate the discipline, attitude, perseverance, and focus necessary for a career in the theatre.
Demonstrate problem-solving skills in the application of one’s theatre skills to both laboratory experiences and public-performance opportunities.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

**Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.
Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement.

Required Core Courses: 43 credits

THE 2201 - The Speaking Voice in Performance Credits: 3
THE 2210 - Introduction to Theatre Credits: 3
THE 2215 - Self-Care in Theatre Credits: 3
THE 2220 - Acting I Credits: 3
THE 2240 - Stagecraft Credits: 3
THE 2248 - Wardrobe Technology for Everyone Credits: 3
THE 2270 - Production Analysis: Process and Technology Credits: 3
THE 2280 - Theatre Career Development Credits: 3
THE 3211 - Theatre History, Theory, and Criticism I Credits: 3
THE 3212 - Theatre History, Theory, and Criticism II Credits: 3
THE 3220 - Stage Movement Credits: 3
THE 3222 - Devised Theatre Credits: 3
THE 3234 - Audition Techniques Credits: 3
or
THE 4202 - Career Skills for Theatre Technology and Design Credits: 3
THE 4230 - Stage Directing Credits: 3
THE 4260 - Theatre: Practicum I Credits: 1

Music Theatre Concentration: 40 credits

Required Courses: 34 credits

DANC 1130 - Ballet Level I Credits: 2
DANC 1240 - Tap Dance I Credits: 2
DANC 1101 - Hip Hop I Credits: 2
OR
DANC 1160 - Jazz Level I Credits: 2
MUS 0020 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 (one semester)***
MUS 1110 - Music Theory I Credits: 3
MUS 1120 - Music Theory Lab I Credits: 1 *
MUS 161B - Class Piano I Credits: 1
Students Complete one of the following sets of courses for a total of 6 credits:
MUS 1710 - Private Instruction I Credits: 2
MUS 1720 - Private Instruction II Credits: 2
Two (2) additional credits of private voice instruction selected from the following: MUS 1717 Musical theatre Voice I, MUS 1727 Musical Theatre Voice II, and MUS 2717 Musical Theatre Voice III.
OR
MUS 161A - Class Voice I Credits: 1
MUS 162A - Class Voice II Credits: 1
Four (4) additional credits of dance courses selected from the following: DANC 1160 Jazz Level I, DANC 1180 Modern Dance I, DANC 2201 Hip Hop II, DANC 2240 Tap Dance II, DANC 2260 Jazz II, DANC 2280 Modern Dance II, DANC 3301 Hip Hop III, DANC 3360 Jazz III, and DANC 3905 Dance Repertory.

***Choir or Chorale Choice++: 2 credits total of any combination of the following courses, to be taken concurrently with private voice or class voice:
MUS 3820 - Chorale Credits: 1
or
MUS 3821 - University Treble Choir Credits: 1
or
MUS 3822 - University Basso Choir Credits: 1
THE 0010 - BFA Music Theatre Coaching Credits: 0
THE 2230 - Acting II Credits: 3
THE 2260 - Music Theatre History and Performance Credits: 3
THE 3230 - Acting III: Styles of Acting Credits: 3
OR
THE 3231 - Acting IV: Mask Characterization Credits: 3
THE 3980 - Professional Internship: Theatre Credits: 1-15 *****
THE 4272 - BFA Project: Music Theatre Credits: 2
Note: Ensembles will be assigned based on auditions.

*Must be taken concurrently. **Must be taken concurrently. ***Students must enroll during each semester of Private Voice instruction, and complete the requirements with a “Satisfactory” grade in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in Private Voice instruction. ****Must be taken each semester the student is enrolled in the Music Theatre BFA Program. ++MUS 3820: Chorale or MUS 3821: Women’s Choir or MUS 3822 Men’s Choir are each single-credit, repeatable courses. One of these courses must be taken as a corequisite with each semester of MUS 1717 Private Musical Theatre Voice I and MUS 1727 Private Musical Theatre Voice II.

*****4 credits of Professional Internship are required for BFA concentrations. Additional internship credits beyond 4 may be applied to Theatre Electives as long as they are taken as a separate registration from the 4 required Professional Internship credits.

Concentration Elective Courses: 6 credits

All courses with a “THE” prefix, except those courses required for the major or concentration, may be selected in consultation with an approved theatre advisor within the Department of Theatre. This can include internship credits beyond the 4 credits required for the BFA core Music Theatre Concentration.

Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration: 40 credits

Required Courses: 29 credits

THE 0011 - BFA Applied Technology Coaching Credits: 0 *
THE 2241 - Costume Construction Credits: 3
THE 2243 - Graphics for Theatre Credits: 3
THE 2250 - Stage Management Credits: 3
THE 3210 - Scene Painting Credits: 3
THE 3241 - Computer Aided Drafting for Theatre Credits: 3
THE 3250 - Introduction to Scene Design Credits: 3
THE 3271 - Stage Lighting Credits: 3
THE 3980 - Professional Internship: Theatre Credits: 1-15 **
THE 4270 - Theatre: Practicum II Credits: 2
THE 4271 - BFA Project: Applied Technology Credits: 2
*Must be taken each semester the student is enrolled in the Applied Theatre Technology and Design BFA.
**4 credits of Professional Internship are required for BFA concentrations. Additional internship credits beyond 4 may be applied to Theatre Electives as long as they are taken as a separate registration from the 4 required Professional Internship credits.

Concentration Elective Courses: 11 credits

Senior Experience: 3 credits

All students must complete this course for their senior experience:

THE 4230 - Stage Directing Credits: 3 (credits counted in major)

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Required Core Courses	43 credits
Concentration Selection (Music Theatre or Applied Theatre Technology and Design)	40 credits
Senior Experience	(counted in major)
Unrestricted Electives	1-13 credits
Total for the Theatre Major, B.F.A.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.