BFA in Theatre Arts — Acting/Directing Concentration
Colorado Mesa University — Grand Junction, CO
About this program
CMU's BFA Acting/Directing Concentration is a conservatory-style program within a public university offering an affordable professional training track for aspiring actors and directors. The curriculum grounds students in Stanislavski, Cohen, and Chekhov-based technique and builds progressively through Shakespeare, voice and speech, acting for the camera, script analysis, movement, stage combat, and makeup. Unlike many BFA programs, CMU's Acting/Directing concentration trains directors as well as actors — students not only take directing classes but also direct full productions within the main-season schedule. The program is led by Department Head Mo LaMee, who served as Executive and Artistic Director of the Creede Repertory Theatre from 2000 to 2012 and earned national accolades for the company. Faculty are current and former artistic directors, actors, singers, designers, and dancers with strong professional connections. Beginning in the first semester, all acting opportunities in productions are open to motivated freshmen — there is no delay before students perform. CMU's state-of-the-art Asteria Theatre (860 seats) opened in September 2024 with Amadeus and hosts the Asteria Broadway Series (6-show season of touring Broadway productions). Student productions are staged in the Robinson Theater (588-seat proscenium) and the Mesa Experimental Theatre (black box), both within the Moss Performing Arts Center. Mesa OutLoud! is CMU's touring show ensemble of scholarship students from Acting/Directing, Music Theatre, and Dance. The Oddly Appropriate student improv troupe produces its own shows.
Audition & application overview
- Requires a live or recorded audition
- Requires a monologue
- Requires a dance audition
In Person and Virtual
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