Why Choose Theatre at Chico State

The Chico State BA in Theatre Arts is a well-rounded degree that allows students to choose their areas of focus and create their own path within theatre.  Students can concentrate on one area of interest, or study multiple areas to become their own unique artist. 

Chico State currently offers one of the only non-audition Musical Theatre BFAs in the country; not because we do not have high standards, but because of our commitment to Equity and Inclusion.  We are excited to welcome you into our community regardless of how many years of private lessons you’ve had and your ability to hire an audition coach.  We are also excited to prepare you for accomplishing own individual Musical Theatre goals.

Incoming Students

Audition Instructions

Graduates of the BFA in Musical Theatre and BA in Theatre have gone on to a variety of jobs in major cities and smaller regional markets.  Chico State Theatre alumni work as actors, technicians, stage managers, teachers, directors, and playwrights on Broadway, at regional theatre, in educational theatre, and beyond.  Other alumni have found the tools studied in theatre are applicable to professions outside of theatre such as sales, education, business, customer relations and many others.

One of the best parts of the Chico State Theatre experience is our beautiful Northern California campus.  Consider taking a virtual tour of our BEAUTIFUL campus on the university website.  Our four mainstage productions (two plays and two musicals) are performed in three incredible theaters each year.  Learn more about our Department Theatre venues(opens in new window). 

• Curriculum

  The BA in Theatre is a well-balanced degree. After completing the common core classes, students select a mix of lower and upper division electives in performance, technical theatre/design, and dramatic literature/history.

  The BFA in Musical Theatre is a prescribed degree. After completing the common core classes, students focus their studies specifically on musical theatre performance in the areas of acting, singing, and dancing.

  The Theatre Arts Minor and Dance Minor provide courses and production opportunities for students in other majors who wish to add intellectual and practical understanding of theatre and dance to their college experience.

   
• Performances and Productions

  The Department of Music and Theatre offers a wide variety of performance opportunities for students.

  Chico State Theatre has hosted a number of recent master classes from exciting theatre professions including:

  Master Class

  Guests Speakers include:
  Noah J Ricketts	Broadway: “Disney’s Frozen”  “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
  Grey Henson	Broadway: "Mean Girls" *Tony Nomination* "The Book of Mormon"
  Krystina Alabado	Broadway: "Mean Girls" "American Psycho" "American Idiot"
  Ezra Menas	Broadway: "Jagged Little Pill" Film: "West Side Story"

    

• Scholarships

  The Department of Music and Theatre offers over $50,000 in scholarships to students in its majors, including general music, theatre, music industry and technology, musical theatre, and recording arts. Some scholarships are awarded to non-majors with successful auditions/interviews. Scholarship recipients must be significantly involved in departmental concerts and productions during both semesters of the academic year for which they receive their award. Incoming freshman and transfers are encouraged to audition and apply for the scholarship opportunities.

• Auditions for Plays

  Auditions normally occur just before the beginning of the semeseter.

Student Opportunities

Accreditation

• Theatre: National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

We are also active in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival and offer many opportunities to participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.