Theatre Arts, General (BA)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Theatre Arts (General)
Program Code: 3264
The Department of Theatre Arts offers one of the most successful theatre training degree programs in Colorado. Theatre Arts majors choose from three distinct concentrations in the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts (Acting/Directing, Music Theatre, or Design/Technology), a BA Theatre Arts (for those desiring a broader approach) or the BA in Dance. Students acquire a sound understanding of the performing arts in state-of-the-art facilities.
The Bachelor of Art primary goal is to encourage general theatre studies for students who may be interested in theatrical careers outside of performance or design/technology, such as producing, arts administration, teaching, dramaturgy, and playwriting. Beginning with the first semester, students follow a curriculum that offers a grounding in the fundamentals while allowing the flexibility to focus or to move between dance, theatre, musical theatre or design/technical theatre options.
Colorado Mesa is strategically located at the hub of a circle of important entertainment centers such as Aspen, Telluride, Moab, and Park City, Utah. There are regional theatres of international repute within driving distance, such as the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. At Colorado Mesa, we are committed to the philosophy of training theatrical entrepreneurs. We offer low teacher-to-student ratios so that personal attention and mentoring are possible. Our many graduates in the industry have informed us that the approach of Colorado Mesa was invaluable.
For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.
All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:
- Communicate verbally contemporary and enduring concepts concerning Human Culture through participation and/or observation of the performing arts and speech. (Specialized Knowledge/ Communication)
- Communicate non-verbally contemporary and enduring concepts concerning Human Culture through participation and/or observation of the performing arts and speech. (Specialized Knowledge/ Communication)
- Create progressively more challenging projects through the use of intellectual and/or practical skills. (Applied Learning)
- Demonstrate teamwork and problem solving skills through collaboration and cooperation on creative projects. (Critical Thinking)
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and versatility of the discipline from conceptualization to application. (Applied Learning)
- Analyze ethical, social, and/or civic challenges and their intersection with the performing arts at the local, national, and global levels. (Personal and Social Responsibility)
- Find, critically evaluate, and effectively apply relevant sources of information to discipline-specific projects. (Information Literacy)
Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements.
To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity.
Institutional Degree Requirements
The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.
- 120 semester hours minimum.
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
- 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
- 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
- A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
- No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
- Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, and credit for prior learning, is limited by the institutional residency requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Cooperative education and internship courses may be taken multiple times, up to a maximum of 15 credit hours.
- Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
- Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
- The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
- See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
Essential Learning Requirements
(31 semester hours)
See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English 1 | ||
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | ||
| MATH 110 | Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 | 3 |
| History | ||
| Select one History course | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select one Humanities course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| Select one Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences 2 | ||
| Select one Natural Sciences course | 3 | |
| Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab | 4 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31 | |
- 1
Must receive a grade of “C” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.
- 2
One course must include a lab.
Other Lower Division Requirements
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Select one Activity course | 1 | |
| Essential Learning Capstone 1 | ||
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
- 1
Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.
Foundation Courses
(12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two consecutive classes in the same foreign language | 6 | |
| THEA 231 | Theatre History I: 400 BCE to 1642 CE | 3 |
| THEA 232 | Theatre History II: 1642 CE to Present | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 12 | |
Program-Specific Degree Requirements
(40 semester hours, must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in coursework in this area.)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theater Fundamentals | ||
| THEA 145 | Introduction to Dramatic Literature-GTAH1 (Theatre Fundamentals) | 3 |
| THEA 150 | Fundamentals of Acting | 3 |
| THEA 202 | Elements of Theatrical Design | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Dance Appreciation-GTAH1 | ||
| The Living Arts-GTAH1 | ||
| Theatre Appreciation-GTAH1 | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Theatre Technology: Stagecraft | ||
| Introduction to Theatre Technology: Costume | ||
| Introduction to Theatre Technology: Lighting | ||
| Introduction to Theatre Technology: Sound Technology | ||
| Practice | ||
| Select five credit hours from the following: | 5 | |
| Dance Performance | ||
| Dance Performance | ||
| Drama Performance | ||
| Drama Performance | ||
| Play Production | ||
| Technical Performance | ||
| Career Preparation and Capstone | ||
| THEA 401 | Career Preparation | 3 |
| THEA 494 | Performance Seminar: Acting/Directing and Musical Theatre Capstone | 3 |
| or THEA 446 | Senior Tech/Design Capstone | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 29 | |
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Movement Electives | ||
| At least 2 semester hours from the following dance, movement, improvisation, and movement classes. | 2 | |
| Beginning Ballet | ||
| Ballet I | ||
| Ballet IIA | ||
| Ballet IIB | ||
| Beginning Modern Dance | ||
| Contemporary Modern I | ||
| Contemporary Modern IIA | ||
| Contemporary Modern IIB | ||
| Beginning Jazz Dance | ||
| Jazz I | ||
| Jazz IIA | ||
| Jazz IIB | ||
| Beginning Tap Dance | ||
| Tap I | ||
| Tap IIA | ||
| Tap IIB | ||
| Beginning Hip Hop Dance | ||
| Dance Improvisation | ||
| Acting II: Stage Movement | ||
| Restricted Electives | ||
| 9 semester hours of 300- or 400- level chosen from THEA, DANC, or SPCH | 9 | |
| Advanced Acting: Stage Combat | ||
| Movement Analysis and Creative Practice | ||
| Rendering for Theatre | ||
| Music Theatre Workshop | ||
| Stage Management | ||
| Computer Aided Drafting for the Theatre | ||
| Rigging and Special Effects | ||
| Multimedia Technology for the Theatre | ||
| Advanced Script Analysis | ||
| Art, Architecture and Fashion: Prehistory to the Present | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Musical Theatre History and Literature | ||
| Sound Design | ||
| Scene Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Drama Performance | ||
| Advanced Acting: Styles in Acting | ||
| Music Theatre Repertoire | ||
| Advanced Acting: Dialects | ||
| Advanced Auditions | ||
| Advanced Costume Technology | ||
| Improvisation | ||
| World's Greatest Films | ||
| Playwriting I | ||
| Directing I | ||
| Directing II | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Topics | ||
| Music Theatre Workshop | ||
| Play Production | ||
| Technical Performance | ||
| Drama Performance | ||
| Advanced Acting: Acting for the Camera | ||
| Acting V: Shakespeare | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Topics | ||
| Internship | ||
| Dance Pedagogy | ||
| History and Philosophy of Dance | ||
| Contemporary Modern IIIA | ||
| Contemporary Modern IIIB | ||
| Jazz IIIA | ||
| Jazz IIIB | ||
| Ballet IIIA | ||
| Ballet IIIB | ||
| Tap IIIA | ||
| Tap IIIB | ||
| Choreography | ||
| History and Philosophy of Dance II | ||
| Dance Performance | ||
| Choreography Practice and Production III | ||
| Topics | ||
| Topics: | ||
| Nonverbal Communication | ||
| Communication and Conflict | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Communication and Leadership | ||
| Professional Presentations | ||
| Argumentation | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Topics | ||
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 11 | |
General Electives
All college-level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours. 31 semester hours: 20 semester hours of upper-division are needed.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select electives | 31 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| MATH 110 | Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 (or higher) | 3 |
| THEA 150 | Fundamentals of Acting | 3 |
| THEA 102 Introduction to Theatre Technology: Stagecraft and/or THEA 103 Introduction to Theatre Technology: Costume 1 | 3 | |
| KINA Activity | 1 | |
| General Elective | 2 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| THEA 104 Introduction to Theatre Technology: Lighting and/or THEA 105 Introduction to Theatre Technology: Sound Technology 1 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Theatre Appreciation-GTAH1 | ||
| The Living Arts-GTAH1 | ||
| Dance Appreciation-GTAH1 | ||
| General Elective | 2 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THEA 202 | Elements of Theatrical Design | 3 |
| THEA 231 | Theatre History I: 400 BCE to 1642 CE | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Essential Learning - History | 3 | |
| Movement Elective | 1 | |
| Practice Option | 1 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| THEA 145 | Introduction to Dramatic Literature-GTAH1 | 3 |
| THEA 232 | Theatre History II: 1642 CE to Present | 3 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Practice Option | 1 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective - Upper Division | 3 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Essential Learning - Natural Science | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Humanities | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 3 | |
| Practice Option | 1 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THEA 401 | Career Preparation | 3 |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Practice Option | 1 | |
| Movement Elective | 1 | |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THEA 494 or THEA 446 | Performance Seminar: Acting/Directing and Musical Theatre Capstone or Senior Tech/Design Capstone | 3 |
| Practice Option | 1 | |
| General Electives | 9 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
The program requires any 2 of these 4 courses: THEA 102, THEA 103, THEA 104, and THEA 105.
Advising Process and DegreeWorks
Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).
DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation Process
Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:
- Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
- Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
- Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
- Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.
Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found on the Graduation web page.
If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.