Why Theatre
A Home for the Arts at DU
The Department of Theatre at DU is a close-knit community. Here, you’ll explore theatre in all of its forms. From designing to construction, acting to directing, management to production, you'll gain a broad skillset invaluable to any career path. Whether behind the scenes or on the stage, our approach means you’ll try out many roles in theatre while having opportunities for focused study through upper-level courses, capstone productions and independent projects. Faculty mentors, small class sizes and one-on-one attention provide a personalized experience that enriches our students' lives and prepares them for the road ahead.
The Student Experience
Our Commitment
The strength of our department is based on our commitment to creative thinking, problem solving, independent leadership and collaboration with one another. Faculty, visiting artists and community partners come together to provide students with a broad range of hands-on experiences, supported by dedicated mentorship, internship opportunities and financial assistance on DU’s campus and abroad.
Explore Opportunities Find SupportOur Approach
Theatre majors gain experience in every facet of the theatrical arts and can specialize in an area of their choosing. We balance a hands-on, broad-based approach with dedication to a personalized student experience. Our course offerings, productions, projects, internships and other opportunities prepare you for a range of careers in theatre and beyond.
Our Program
Comprehensive Theatre Training
Theatre students participate in all facets of the theatre production process. Majors gain experience in writing, design, directing, management and production through small, hands-on classes led by faculty mentors. Actors and technicians will have plenty of opportunities to fine-tune their skills through departmental productions, staged readings, guest artist workshops and independent student projects. This balance of breadth and depth prepares graduates for a range of careers. You can find our alumni working as actors, directors, designers, managers, artists-in-residence and more.
Faculty Engagement
Our faculty is committed to a personalized student experience backed by individualized mentorship. When not teaching or in production on campus, you can find them collaborating with local, regional and national partners like the Denver Center Theatre Company, Boulder Ensemble Theatre, Curious Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the O’Neill Theatre Center. Faculty members bring their expertise into the classroom and onto the stage, giving students a broad-based understanding of today’s theatrical arts.
Featured Stories
Theatre Class Connects Students and Community
Professor Ashley Hamilton’s Theatre for Social Change class brought together DU students and Hard Times Writers Workshop participants to explore the world of devised theater. Professor Hamilton gave writing prompts, and the class worked together to create short performances based on the responses.
DU Alumna Uses Shakespeare to Prevent Bullying in
As a theatre and English double major, Tamarra Nelson (BA ’18) discovered her passion for directing at the University of Denver. Now, Nelson works as the tour manager with the Shakespeare and Violence Prevention Program.
Theatre Student’s Plays Produced by National Companies
What do you do with your free time? For University of Denver student Kevin Douglas, the answer seems to be, “Write.” The undergraduate double-major in theatre and English has had several short plays and one-act works staged or fully produced.
