MSCD Theatre Progam Requirements for Majors & Minor

Career Options

The Department of Communication Arts & Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Theatre Technology & Design.

Music Theatre has been the hallmark of the program for twenty years. Liberal Arts based, in partnership with the Music Department, the Music Theatre program is the only one of its kind in the Denver-Metro area. The Applied Theatre Technology program supports and reflects the great demand in the entertainment industry.

Accomplished professionals mentor students toward the goal of becoming well-rounded, professionally prepared technicians and performers.

Colorado Scholars awards are available for those in the MSCD Theatre program. For additional information, contact Dr. Marilyn A. Hetzel, Director of Theatre, at (303) 556-3033.

Requirements

Listed below are requirements for the MSCD Theatre programs. See the Course Descriptions page for details about each course. All Theatre majors will have to take the following core of courses. Students seeking a BA must take 12 additional hours. Students seeking a BFA must apply/audition for acceptance into the degree concentrations and take 17 hours of additional required courses.

Basic Core for all Theatre Majors

Basic Core for all Theatre Majors:Required Basic Core Courses for all Theatre Majors (Semester Hours):
ENG 1120 Introduction to Drama (3)
THE 2201 The Speaking Voice in Performance (2)
THE 2210 Introduction to Theatre (3)
THE 2220 Techniques of Acting I (3)
THE 2240 Introduction to Stagecraft (3)
THE 3200 Oral Interpretation (3)
THE 3280 Stage Directing (3)
THE 4200 Reader's Theatre (Senior Experience) (3)
THE 4260 Theatre: Practicum I (1)
Pooled courses from University of Colorado-Denver (UCD)
THTR 3610 Theatre Development I (Theatre History) (3)
THTR 4610 Theatre Development II (Theory and Criticism) (3)
Subtotal: 30 Semester Hours

Theatre Major for Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Basic Core (Semester Hours): 30 Semester Hours

Elective Courses (Semester Hours):
THE 2980 Beginning Internship: Theatre (1-12)
THE 3220 Stage Movement (3)
THE 3240 Theatre Improvisation Techniques (3)
THE 3980 Advanced Internship: Theatre (1-12)
THE 4210 Variable Topics in Theatre (maximum of 9 credit hours) (1-3)
THE 4220 Creative Dramatics for the Classroom Teacher (3)
Subtotal of Electives*: 12 Semester Hours

*Additional Theatre and Art classes, including internships, may be selected in consultation with an approved theatre advisor within the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences.

Summary of Hours required for BA in Theatre:
BA Core: 30
BA Electives: 12
Total Semester Hours Required for Theatre Major: 42 Semester Hours

Other Graduation Requirements:
General Studies and Multicultural*: 33-36
Minor: 18-29
Electives: 13
Total for the BA in Theatre: 120 Semester Hours

* SPE 1010, Public Speaking, is a recommended General Studies course for Theatre majors and is a prerequisite for many courses in the Theatre program.

Theatre Major for Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Application Requirements:

Students must complete an audition or portfolio review during the spring semester. Students may declare a theatre major in the BA program and work toward acceptance to the BFA program. Students must submit th following in order to be considered for acceptance to the BFA program in either Music Theatre or Applied Theatre Technology and Design:
1. A Cover Letter that explains 1) what the student hopes to do after graduation; 2) what the student hopes to gain from the theatre BFA program; 3) what skills the student brings to the program.
2. A Resume that includes the student's 1) name, address, contact information, year in school; 2) general work experience both on campus and off campus; 3) entertainment arts work experience both on campus and off campus, professional and non-professional; 4) education including high school, workshops, internships, special programs; 5) professional affiliations and/or club associations.
3. A current CAPP report or copy of transcripts.

In addition to the above, BFA Music Theatre applicants must pass two separate auditions:

1) A Music Department Audition;
2) A Theatre Division Audition.

See the following audition descriptions:
The Music Department Audition- requires a singing audition and a music sight-reading test before one can be considered for acceptance into the voice program. These auditions are held the first Thursday before classes begin both fall and spring semesters. (A student must contact the Music Department to schedule the singing auditions and sight reading test.)
The Theatre Division- requires an audition that includes two 1 minute monologues and one song (this song may also be used for the Music Department Audition).

Students may be accepted into the Music Theatre concentration before passing the Music Department auditions, but these auditions must be successfully completed within two years of being accepted into the program, or the students will be moved to the BA Theatre program (with no loss of credit).

BFA Applied Theatre Technology applicants will complete an interview with selected faculty members.

Theatre Major for Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Concentration in Music Theatre (MT)

Required Courses for all BFA Theatre Majors:
Basic Core (Semester Hours): 30 Semester Hours
ART 1040 Art Appreciation Survey (3)
THE 2260 Music Theatre History and Performance (3)
THE 2270 Production Analysis: Process and Technology (3)
THE 3980 Advanced Internship: Theatre (6)
THE 4270 Theatre: Practicum II (2)
Subtotal: 47 Semester Hours

Required Courses with a concentration in MT :
HPL 1160 Jazz Level I (2)
HPL 1240 Tap Dance I (2)
MUS 1110 Music Theory I* (3)
MUS 1120 Music Theory Lab I* (1)
MUS 1130 Music Theory II** (3)
MUS 1140 Music Theory Lab II** (1)
MUS 161B Class Piano I (1)
MUS 162B Class Piano II (1)
MUS 171A Private Instruction I - Voice (2)
MUS 172A Private Instruction II - Voice (2)
Select 2 hours from the following:
MUS 2810*** Ensemble (1)
MUS 3810*** Ensemble (1)
THE 2230 Techniques of Acting II (3)
THE 3220 Stage Movement (3)
THE 3230 Acting III: Styles of Acting (3)

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program are NOT required to complete a minor.

*, ** These classes must be taken concurrently.
*** Ensembles will be assigned based on auditions.
Subtotal: 29 Semester Hours

Suggested Elective Courses:
THE 2890 Beginning Internship: Theatre (1-12)
THE 3240 Theatre Improvisation Techniques (3)
THE 4210 Variable Topics in Theatre (maximum of 9 credit hours) (1-3)
THE 4220 Creative Dramatics for the Classroom Teacher (3)

*Ensembles must be chosen from those appropriate to the student's concentration. Students majoring in music performance must enroll in an ensemble during each semester of full-time residence.

Elective Courses:
Additonal Theatre and Arts-related courses, including internships, may be selected in consultation with an approved Theatre advisor within the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Total Electives for the BFA in Music Theatre: 4 Semester Hours

Summary of Hours required for BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Music Theatre:
BFA Core: 47
BFA Required Courses: 29
BFA Electives: 4
Total Semester Hours for the Major with a Concentration in Music Theatre: 80 Semester Hours

BFA students in Music Theatre will present a portfolio for review and will perform in a performance showcase during the spring semester each year. Students must successfully pass portfolio/performance reveiws in order to remain in the BFA program. BFA students in Music Theatre must audition for every MSCD production (including both musicals and dramas-but excluding directiong projects) either for "experience only" or for a role.

General Expectations:
BFA students must attend every MSCD production.
All BFA students are required to work in a performance or technical capacity on a minimum of two MSCD productions per academic year. All BFA students must arrange for an academic advising session with a theatre faculty member at least once per year.

Theatre Major for Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Concentration in Applied Theatre Technology and Design (ATTD)

Required Courses with a concentration in ATTD:
ART 1100 Basic Drawing I (3)
IND 1430 Industrial Drawing (2)
THE 2250 Stage Management (3)
THE 3250 Introduction to Production Design and Scenography (3)
THE 3270 Introduction to Stage Lighting and Sound (3)
Subtotal: 14 Semester Hours

Elective Courses:
THE 3210 Scene Painting (3)
THE 4210 Variable Topics in Theatre (maximum of 9 credit hours) (1-3)
THE 4240 Advanced Stage Craft and Applied Scene Technology (3)
THE 4250 Advanced Scene Design: Applied Technology (3)
THE 4280 Advanced Lighting: Applied Technology and Design (3)
THE 4290 Advanced Sound: Applied Technology and Design (3)
Pooled Courses from University of Colorado - Denver (UCD)
THTR 2740 Costume Design and Make-Up (3)
THTR 3720 Advanced Lighting Design (3)
THTR 4730 Advanced Scene Design (3)
THTR 4760 Topics in Design (3)
Subtotal of Electives*: 19 Semester Hours

*Additonal Theatre and Arts-related courses including internships may be selected in consultation with an approved Theatre advisor within the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences.

Summary of Hours required for BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Applied Theatre Technology and Design:
BFA Core: 47
BFA Required Courses: 14
BFA Electives: 19
Total Semester Hours for the Major with a Concentration in Applied Theatre Technology and Design: 80 Semester Hours

Other Graduation Requirements:
General Studies and Multicultural*: 33-36
Electives: 4-7
Total for the BFA in Theatre: 120 Semester Hours

BFA Applied Theatre Technology students will present will present a portfolio for review each spring semester.

*SPE 1010, Public Speaking, is a recommended General Studies course for Theatre majors and is a prerequisite for many courses in the Theatre program.

Theatre Minor

Required Courses (Semester Hours):
THE 2210 Introduction to Theatre (Fall, Spring, Summer) (3)
THE 2220 Techniques of Acting (Fall, Spring) (3)
THE 2240 Introduction to Stagecraft (Fall, Spring) (3)
THE 3280 Stage Directing (Fall) (3)
Subtotal of Required Courses for Theatre Minor: 12 Semester Hours

Suggested Theatre Elective Courses (total of nine credit hours; six hours must be upper division):
THE 2230 Techniques of Acting II (Spring) (3)
THE 2250 Stage Management (Fall) (3)
THE 3200 Oral Interpretation (Fall, Spring, Summer) (3)
THE 3210 Scene Painting (Offered when Musical Production is Produced) (3)
THE 3230 Acting III: Styles of Acting (Fall) (3)
THE 3240 Theatre Improvisation Techniques (Fall) (3)
THE 3250 Introduction to Production Design and Scenography (Spring) (3)
THE 4200 Reader's Theatre (Spring) (3)
THE 4220 Creative Dramatics for the Classroom Teacher (Fall, Spring) (3)
THE 4260 Theatre: Practicum I (Fall, Spring) (1)
THE 4270 Theatre: Practicum II (Fall, Spring) (2)
Total Electives for Theatre Minor: 9 Semester Hours

Senior Experience Requirement:
THE 4200 Reader's Theatre (3)

Total Semester Hours for Theatre Minor: 21 Semester Hours

Additional elective theatre courses are available through this and other MSCD departments and may be chosen and approved in consultation with an advisor in the Theatre program.

SPE 1010, Public Speaking is a prerequisite to THE 4220, THE 2210, and THE 3200. This course is required for all Theatre minors. SPE 1010 cannot be counted towards the 21 credits required for this minor; however, it may be used to fill General Studies requirements.