Careers & Internships

A Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from DU opens the doors to several career paths for roles both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to teaching beyond method and theory and equipping students with hands-on skills and experience to prepare them for life after graduation. Internships and professional experience earned outside of the classroom deepen students' craft, foster confidence, and give them the kind of practical experience that sets them apart in today’s competitive job market.

A spotlight shining down that was rigged by DU students.

Internships & Professional Experience

DU students who participated in internships or earned professional experience reported that they:

  • Learned more about possible career areas.
  • Developed practical skills that helped them in the major.
  • Became more confident about pursuing a career in the area of their experience.
  • Met people who could help them find a job after graduation.

These opportunities don't just offer a chance to build practical skills in a hands-on environment; they also offer chances to network with people in your field of interest. Whether you're interested in acting, directing, set design, lighting design, or another path for your career with your BA in Theatre, internships and professional experience can help you decide whether a particular career path is right for you.

Theatre students in the workshop building a set.

Theatre Tech Internship Program

Our unique program for students interested in set design

The Theatre Tech Internship Program provides DU students with paid opportunities to work with professional companies and designers in a supportive setting that prepares them for work in the entertainment industry. During the build process, students are engaged in the construction shop with working professionals, and then experience the challenges of moving the show elements to a professional venue, working with the theatre company’s team to install and present the show.

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Gain Real Experience

Learn from Professionals and Connect with Them

The theatre program at DU is truly set apart by its stand-out faculty, the vast majority of whom are professionals actively working in their fields of acting, directing, costume design, lighting design, set design, stage management, and more. Our faculty provide studetns with the unique opportunity to connect with professional programs outside of DU and gain real-world experience working both on-stage and behind-the-scenes in production.

Our shows presented through DU are specifically designed to prepare students for professional opportunities by giving them hands-on experience working as stage managers and assistants to professional designers and directors. 

"It's crucial for me to teach the professional processes, so [that students] are learning to do things the way you would do it out in the business."

Shannon McKinney,
Assistant Professor of Lighting and Scenic Design

Explore More in Theatre

Why Study Theatre?

Whether behind the scenes or on the stage, our approach means you’ll try out many roles in theatre. From designing to construction, acting to directing, management to production, you'll gain a broad skillset invaluable to any career path.

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Connect with Alumni

Maintaining a strong network of connections from DU, especially those who currently work in a field that utilizes their degree in theatre, is vital to securing a job after graduation. 

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