Theatre is performance art (Shakespeare might come to mind). But theatre encompasses more than just performance; it utilizes many different aspects to create a whole. Theatre utilizes visual art, speech, writing, music and dance to form one creative product. Colorado Mesa University offers a B.A. in General Theatre and a B.F.A. in Music Theatre, Acting/Directing, Design/Technology or Dance.
The theatre and dance program at CMU is one of the most successful training programs in Colorado and is housed in a state-of-the-art facility, The Moss Performing Arts Center. From their first semester, students are trained by academically and professionally experienced faculty.
The Acting/Directing concentration is designed to help students meet the demands of a professional career in acting and provide students with a strong foundation and practical experience for future directing positions. Unlike larger institutions, CMU provides access to acting opportunities in all productions for motivated and talented freshman. This unique availability enables students to develop their skills as actors.
The Technical/Design concentration exposes students to the visual and technical aspect of theatre and prepares them for graduate studies or the professional theatre. Students can expect personalized instruction and supervised “hands-on” design experience that stretches from ideas on paper to fully realized productions. Courses include costume design, scenography, lighting design, and other theatre technologies. Theatre students begin with courses to develop aesthetic sensitivity and technical proficiency where they then progress into skill related courses like drafting, drawing, rendering techniques, model making, projection aesthetics, lighting console operation, costume fitting, and fabric dying. The program culminates in a final design project in the fourth year.
• Acting coach
• Actor/actress
• Admissions director
• Advertising/Marketing
• Agent
• Animal talent coordinator
• Announcer
• Art director
• Booking manager
• Broadcast journalist
• Business manager
• Buyer
• Casting director
• Communication technology specialist
• Community affairs officer
• Copy writer
• Costume designer
• Critic
• Customer service
• Development officer
• Director
• Draftsman
• Drama coach
• Exhibit/display designer
• Facilities manager
• Faux painter
• Foreign correspondent
• Health educator
• Human resources
• Impersonator
• Instructor, Theatre Arts
• Lighting designer/operator
• Magician
• Make-up artist
• Media planner
• Mime
• Model
• Movie theatre manager
• Narrator
• Negotiator/mediator
• Paralegal
• Playwright
• Producer
• Program assistant
• Prop manager
• Public affairs
• Public relations
• Puppeteer
• Radio/TV announcer
• Sales representative
• Scene painter
• Script coach
• Script manager
• Set designer
• Sound designer
• Stage manager
• Stand-in
• Talent manager
• Talent scout
• Teacher
• Theatre manger
• Tour guide
• Tourism manager
• Writer/editor
Note: Some of the occupations listed above may require additional education, experience, or training beyond a Bachelor’s Degree. To research these occupations use the Career Research Resources links below.
• Write plays
• Perform on stage or in film
• Teach
• Design and construct costumes
• Direct movies
• Operate lighting or sound systems
• Manage a theatre company or playhouse
• Move on to graduate studies
• Be a make-up artist
• Produce a play or film
• Manage a stage performance
• Be a news anchor
• Theatres
• Universities/colleges
• Motion picture studios
• Radio stations
• Business industry
• Television
• Public relations firms
• Advertising firms
• Industrial studios
• Magazines
• Telecommunications
Skills Needed by Theatre majors:
• Imagination and creativity
• Flexibility
• Attention to detail
• Good work ethic
• Public speaking
• Problem solving skills
• Time management
• Work under pressure
• Rational thinking
• Self-confidence
• Promptness
• Work independently
• Motivation
• Adaptability
• Interpersonal skills
• Basic reading, writing, and editing skills
• Strong communication skills
Other Theatre resources
Reach out to CMU Career Services for resources and guidance on reaching your career goals. Career Services takes an active role in providing career exploration, workshops, events and on-campus employer visits to encourage students to investigate and gain information while creating their career path.
You can also use these sites to research information about specific occupations such as nature of the work, training or qualifications, employment or job outlook, projections, earnings and wages.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Use the A-Z index to select the occupation you are researching.
- Actors
- Producers/Directors
The U.S. Department of Labor
- In the occupational search box type in key words, job titles, or occupational codes to research various careers.
The Department of Defense
- This site compiles information from departments of Commerce, Education and Labor.