Cost & earnings at University of Colorado Boulder What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The Bachelor in Drama (Theatre) at the University of Colorado Boulder is an undergraduate programme that combines practical performance training with study of theatre history, dramatic literature and productioncraft. It suits students who want hands-on experience in acting, design or stagecraft while keeping options open for academic study, teaching or professional work in the regional and national performing arts sector.
The programme blends practical studio work, academic courses and production experience. Students typically take core modules in acting technique, voice and movement, script analysis, theatre history and dramatic literature. Production courses cover stagecraft areas such as scenic design and construction, lighting design, costume, sound, stage management and technical direction. Electives allow for study in directing, devising theatre, playwriting, dramaturgy, theatre technology, and courses that explore theatre and social issues, pedagogy, or interdisciplinary collaboration.
Teaching is delivered through a mix of workshops, rehearsals, seminars and faculty-led productions. A central element is participation in departmental shows—students work on mounting plays and performances in roles both onstage and behind the scenes, gaining portfolio-ready experience. Students may also undertake a capstone project, practicum or independent study in their final year to synthesise practical and scholarly learning.
Applicants need a secondary school leaving qualification equivalent to a US high school diploma. Admissions typically consider academic record and preparation for university-level theatre study. Prospective students are usually required to audition and/or submit a portfolio of performance, design or creative work, depending on specialism; written statements and references are also commonly requested. International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English.
Successful applicants tend to show both practical experience in performance or production and evidence of academic readiness. Mature applicants with relevant experience are considered. Specific audition formats, portfolio requirements and minimum academic conditions are published by the department and should be checked on the university’s official programme pages.
Graduates move into a range of careers in the performing arts and related fields. Common pathways include professional acting, directing, stage and production management, design (scenic, lighting, costume, sound), theatrical and technical production, and arts administration. Alumni also work in education (secondary and community arts teaching), outreach and cultural programming, dramaturgy, playwriting, casting, and theatre-making for film and television.
The degree also provides transferable skills valued outside the arts: communication, collaboration, project management, creative problem-solving and public presentation. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in performance, directing, design, arts management or education, or build careers with regional theatres, touring companies, production houses and cultural institutions in the Denver–Boulder area and beyond.
The Department of Theatre & Dance at CU Boulder offers a balance of conservatory-style training and liberal-arts inquiry, giving students both practical theatre-making experience and critical, historical context. Students benefit from regular departmental productions that provide real-world rehearsal and technical practice, supported by faculty who are active theatre practitioners and scholars.
CU Boulder’s location gives students access to a vibrant regional arts scene with internship and collaboration opportunities in Boulder and the nearby Denver metro area. Facilities and technical resources support skills development across design and production disciplines, and the university’s interdisciplinary culture makes it straightforward to combine theatre study with complementary subjects such as film, music, education or digital media.
Overall, the programme is structured to prepare students for immediate entry into professional theatre or further study, while nurturing the creative and critical capacities that sustain long-term careers in the performing arts.
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