Theatre

Explore your role in theater and performance.

In the Theatre & Performance Studies program, you’ll explore the human desire to perform in both aesthetic and everyday settings. By understanding the links between the arts and literature, anthropology, communication, sociology, and philosophy, you’ll learn how to harness the power of performance to promote social change. Through a multi-disciplinary curriculum and hands-on experiences, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the history of theater, scriptwriting and analysis, technical production, acting, directing and more.

During your time at Western Colorado University, you’ll also have the opportunity to work as an actor, producer, artistic staff and technical crew in all aspects of the art form through the Western Theatre Company’s four annual productions. Whether you want to pursue creative careers in the performing arts or hone your public presence for broadcast journalism, the program will impart valuable skills for a variety of applications.

Theatre Requirements

Emphasis

Minor

A major emphasis dives deeper into a specific interest within your major. It allows you to focus on a particular area of study, replacing the need for a separate minor. By tailoring your coursework, a major emphasis equips you with specialized knowledge and skills to better prepare you for career opportunities or advanced studies in your chosen field.

Program Requirements Degree Plan

A minor complements your major by allowing you to explore a secondary field of interest. It requires fewer courses than a major, making it a flexible way to broaden your knowledge, diversify your skills, or pursue a personal passion alongside your primary area of study.

Program Requirements

Scholarships

Scholarships by Department

The Western Colorado University Foundation offers scholarships for this program. Explore eligibility requirements and funding opportunities.

Explore Scholarships

General Western Scholarships

The Western Colorado University Foundation offers scholarships for this program. Explore eligibility requirements and funding opportunities.

Explore Scholarships

1

Top Skills

Communication
Leadership
Management
Marketing
Operations
Teaching

2

Career Pathways

Actor
Choreographer
Media Programming Director
Set and Exhibit Designer
Sound Engineering Technician
Theatre Director

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Faculty & Staff

Daniel B. Chapman, MFA

Lecturer of Theatre/Technical Director

Paul Edwards, PhD

Adjunct Professor

Heather Hughes

Artist-in-Residence, Instructor of Theatre

Steven Cole Hughes, MFA

Director of Theatre and Associate Professor of Communication Arts

Lillian Magrinelli, MM

Director of Choir and Voice Studio

Cindy Petito

Administrative Assistant III

Morgan Raspanti, MA

Technical Director of Media and Lecturer in Communication Arts

Communication Arts, Language & Literature Department

• Tamara Toomey

• Chair – Communication Arts, Languages and Literature and Lecturer in English

Contact Information

970.943.2025

call@western.edu

Contact Location

Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231