Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE
Major milestones are activities Theatre Major, B.F.A. students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver.
Both the Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration and the Music Theatre Concentration milestones are represented on this page.
Explore the Theatre Major, B.F.A.
The Department of Theatre and Dance provides educational opportunities for a diverse urban population by providing a full range of introductory, advanced, and collaborative teacher/learner centered program offerings. We provide theoretical foundations and practical applications to prepare students for graduate school, employment, and personal and aesthetic development, all grounded in a strong liberal arts tradition.
CAREER MILESTONES
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills build through majoring in Theatre include:
- Leadership, Critical Thinking and Global Learning:
- Create, devise, perform, teach, and present with confidence, competence, and inventiveness
- Understand the aesthetic, historical, and cultural context of theatre and other arts in society
- Engage thoughtfully and creatively with diverse communities and populations
Students graduating from Theatre find themselves as:
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Teaching and Community Outreach
- Administration/Entrepreneurship/Business
- Documentation, Research, and Writing
- Stage and Production Management
- Production/Technical/Design
Music Theatre Concentration
- Artistic (Performance/Directing)
- Administration/Entrepreneurship/Business
- Documentation, Research, and Writing
- Stage and Production Management
- Production/Technical
- Vocal Coach
Based on Modern Campus Pathways (data provided by Lightcast), employment in Theatre is projected to grow by 6.2 percent from 2024 to 2026.
Click here to explore career opportunities by major.
Many students also choose to pursue a graduate degree.
WHAT ARE MAJOR MILESTONES?
Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.
Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.
MAJOR MILESTONES CATEGORIES
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
HOW TO USE THE MAJOR MILESTONES TOOL
- Scroll to your current year in school.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
ARRIVE - Your First Year at MSU Denver
First Year Milestones
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on-campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Attend Theatre’s Fall convocation.
- Meet with your CLAS Arts academic advisor and program area coordinator.
- Sign-up for a run-crew position and/or volunteer in a shop.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Attend Theatre’s Fall convocation.
- Meet with your CLAS Arts academic advisor and program area coordinator.
- Declare your BA Theatre Major.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Enroll in Introduction to Theatre and beginning tech and acting courses.
- Volunteer for a run-crew positions or work in the costume, scenic, or lighting/sound shops.
- Declare the BA Theatre Major.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Enroll in Introduction to Theatre and beginning tech and acting courses.
- Audition for THE 4230 Directing final scenes.
- Attend Theatre’s Fall convocation.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Check out on-campus and career aligned jobs on Career Link.
- Begin to develop and explore a career pathway.
- Build your early experience resume.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Check out on-campus and career aligned jobs.
- Begin to develop and explore a career pathway.
- Build your early experience resume.
THRIVE - Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
Middle Years Milestones
- Consider adding a minor or adding a certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Interview for the BFA ATTD Program.
- Work on each production in some capacity.
- Check your Degree Progress Report and meet with your advisors.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Audition for the BFA Music Theatre Degree.
- Audition for all Mainstage Productions.
- Participate in weekly BFA Coaching with program area coordinator.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- If not completed, interview for the BFA ATTD Program.
- Decide on your primary and secondary areas of emphasis.
- Participate in the theatre student organization.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Audition for the BFA Music Theatre Program, into the Music Theatre Solo Performer Track or the Ensemble Track.
- Audition for all theatre program productions per academic year.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Connect with professors and C2Hub on professional mentoring and networking opportunities.
- Develop your resume, CV, and digital portfolio.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Connect with the C2 Hub on professional mentoring and networking opportunities.
- Learn Intimacy Coaching and Boundary Practice skills.
SOAR - Your Final Year at MSU Denver
Final Year Milestones
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Get help on your industry-ready resume, then attend in-person career-focused events.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, explore graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Work with an advisor to ensure you have no outstanding course(s) or production participation requirements.
- Complete the Senior Experience course.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Work with an advisor to ensure you have no outstanding course(s) or performance participation requirements.
- Complete the Senior Experience course.
- Apply to graduate.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Participate and engage in leadership roles in theatre program productions.
- Develop your portfolio.
- Finish required 4-credit Internship, BFA Project and Directing Senior Experience course.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Develop your Audition repertoire.
- Take on a leadership in a student organization and/or as part of the Theatre and Dance Department’s Student Advocacy Council.
Applied Theatre Technology and Design Concentration
- Develop a professional website and/or a professional social media accounts.
- Attend the US Institute for Theatre Technology International Conference.
Music Theatre Concentration
- Attend alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- If considering graduate school discuss options with your faculty advisor.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) and utilize C2Hub resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and explore graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and checking out Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine if you need to fill out the Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Additional College Resources
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Steps for Success
Major Map
Download the Theatre Major, B.F.A. Map (from CLAS), a print version of this webpage so you can refer to it later.
Major Map
Download the Theatre Major, B.F.A. Map (from CLAS), a print version of this webpage so you can refer to it later.
Academic Program Page
Visit the Theatre Major, B.F.A. Academic Program Page to learn more about this program and all it offers.
Student Success Roadmap
Complete additional steps on the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to round out your MSU Denver experience.
Contact the Department of Theatre and Dance
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-1414
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Arts Building
Room AR 269
Arts Building, Auraria Campus – Google Map