Theatre Major, B.F.A.

You probably remember seeing your first play. The darkened theatre, the stage shining like a jewel box, the actors breathing life into characters and plot. If you are that person, the one who can’t imagine their life without Theatre, then consider MSU Denver’s bachelor of fine arts in 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.

Taught by veteran teachers who are also theatre and design professionals, you will 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.

These are some of the opportunities you might have as an MSU Denver bachelor of fine arts in Theatre student:

Perform or work in technical theatre areas on campus. Complete an internship with a local theatre company. Work on sets, lights, costumes, sound, props, and video crews in Denver productions. MSU Denver’s B.F.A. in Theatre degree program will help you develop artistically and professionally in class and beyond through the following:

• Four major MSU Denver productions a year, including two musicals mounted in collaboration with the MSU Denver Music Department. All MSU Denver students are welcome to audition
• Local, regional and national conferences for theatre and performing arts students
• Theatre Career Development II Senior Experience Course
• Musical Review Showcase for Music Theatre students
• 16 Student-directed One Acts each semester with auditions open to both students and community members
• Required internship at places such as the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Creede Repertory Theatre, Curious Theatre Company, Glimmering Glass Opera and Utah Shakespeare Festival
• Student organizations such as the Theatre Tech Club, the Stage Combat Club, Rowdy Town—MSU Denver’s improvisational theatre group or the Alpha Gamma Beta chapter of the Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society

Facilities and Resources

As a Theatre major you will perform and work in the King Center performing arts complex, one of the country’s most adaptive and accessible performance venues.

Plus you will have easy access to Denver’s performing arts community. The MSU Denver campus is located just walking distance from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex, which houses the Buell Theatre, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex and Boettcher Concert Hall.

The philosophy underpinning the bachelor of fine arts degree in Theatre is that “Theatre is Equipment for Living.” The program is designed to prepare you for further graduate study or for careers as actors, directors, singers, costume technicians and designers, lighting technicians and designers, makeup artists, audio technicians, scenic construction and designers, scriptwriters, theatre critics, stage managers and more. Many also leverage their Theatre degrees in other fields including communications, marketing, business and nonprofit administration.

Jacob Welch

Department Chair, Faculty Advisory in Lighting & Sound Lighting

Jacob Welch teaches lighting and is an award-winning freelance lighting designer who works nationwide.

Brian Kelley

Professor, Faculty Advisor in Technical Theatre & Technical Director for the BFA/ATTD Coordinator

Brian Kelley coordinates the B.F.A. Applied Theatre Technology and Design program and advises B.A. Theatre majors and minors. He teaches courses in stagecraft and theatre career development.

Carrie Colton

Professor, Faculty Advisor in Performance & Director for BFA/MT Coordinator

MSU Denver Theatre alumni have gone to work for these companies and organizations:

• Colorado Shakespeare Festival
• Rosco
• Denver Children’s Museum
• Phamaly
• Blue Man Group
• Radio City Music Hall
• Kaiser Permanente
• 2014 Winter Olympic Games
• “How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular”
• Cirque du Soleil
• Denver Center for the Performing Arts
• Aurora Fox Arts Center
• Town Hall Arts Center (Littleton)
• Boulder’s Dinner Theatre

MSU Denver Theatre alumni have also pursued advanced degrees at these schools:

• University of Washington
• Ohio University
• University of Exeter
• King’s College London
• Florida State University
• CALArts

The Department of Theatre at MSU Denver is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the national accrediting agency for theatre and theatre-related disciplines. Only two universities in Colorado have this distinction.