University of Colorado Boulder

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced practical training with critical and historical study of theatre. Core areas typically include acting techniques, directing, playwriting and dramaturgy, scenography and theatrical design, voice and movement, theatre history and critical theory, and approaches to pedagogy and community practice. Students split time between seminar‑based modules and hands‑on work in productions: rehearsals, design labs, technical workshops and public performances.

Students choose a pathway or focus area and build a personalised curriculum of electives and directed study. Assessment commonly includes devised and scripted productions, design portfolios, performance and directing studios, critical essays, and a final capstone project such as a thesis, practicum or public presentation. Collaborative projects across departments (dance, music, film, creative writing, and interdisciplinary performance) are encouraged.

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, typically with prior study in theatre, performance, design or a related discipline; applicants with substantial professional experience in lieu of a theatre undergraduate degree are also considered.
• Statement of purpose outlining artistic/professional goals and proposed focus of study.
• Portfolio, audition, or work sample appropriate to the chosen pathway (e.g. performance reels, directing showreels, design portfolios, scripts or written work). An interview or live/recorded audition may be required.
• Two or three letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can speak to the applicant's potential for graduate study and creative practice.
• Official transcripts. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency according to university policy.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of theatre and related professions. Common career paths include professional actor, director, stage manager, dramaturg, playwright, set/costume/lighting designer, and technical director. The programme also prepares students for arts administration roles, producing and artistic directorships, community arts and outreach, and teaching at secondary level or in community education. For those pursuing academia, the degree provides a solid foundation for doctoral study and university teaching in theatre and performance studies.

Why study at University of Colorado Boulder

The Department of Theatre & Dance at CU Boulder offers a balance of rigorous academic study and robust production experience within well‑equipped performance spaces, rehearsal studios and technical workshops. Students benefit from faculty who are practising artists and scholars, access to interdisciplinary collaboration across the College of Arts and Sciences, and connections to Colorado's regional theatre scene, including professional companies and festivals in Boulder and nearby Denver.

CU Boulder emphasises experiential learning—graduate students regularly participate in mainstage and student productions, design and build projects, and community engagement initiatives. The university's research resources and support services for graduate students help candidates develop sustainable careers in the arts, whether pursuing professional practice, teaching, or further research.