In the B.A. in Theatre, Lighting Design and Technology Concentration, students take Drawing for Theatre, Computer Assisted Drafting for Theatre, two levels of lighting design courses, Projection Design, Design Portfolio and Professional Prep, and are required to explore other fields of design (such as projection design, sound design, costume design, or set design) to better understand the collaborative effort of creating a world onstage. Students also take practicum classes where they put the skills learned in design courses to use, working on departmental productions and/or live events design teams.

In addition to the overall CSU Theatre Program Learning Objectives, the Lighting Design and Technology Concentration includes the following unique learning objectives:

  • LIGHTING DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY FOR THEATRE, FILM, and INDUSTRY: Explore the specific techniques that lighting designers use to develop and communicate their ideas through research, synthesis of skills including drafting, computerized/virtual reality pre-visualization, automated lighting programming, and application of emerging technologies with a robust understanding of how the lighting designer supports, collaborates, and interacts with the creative team.
  • DESIGN ARTISTRY: Develop an understanding of the Lighting Designer as a collaborative artist, creative visionary, and technician, and by practicing organizational, design, and technical skills to realize a show from concept to production and building a portfolio of creative design and/or technical work.

Lighting design and technology offers students several ways to express their creativity and artistry:

  • Lighting designers for theatre, musicals, opera, or dance
  • Lighting engineers for stage, television, and film
  • Lighting technicians for stage, dance, live productions, television, and film

Lighting Design and Technology Concentration Portfolio Review:

In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful portfolio review with CSU Theatre faculty is required to enter the B.A. in Theatre, Lighting Design and Technology Concentration. Your program portfolio review is also your scholarship audition. Please visit theatre.colostate.edu for more information.

Effective Fall 2023

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
TH 140Text Analysis 3
TH 160Drawing for Theatre 3
TH 161Stagecraft 3
TH 186Theatre Practicum I--Crew Assignment 1
TH 192First Year Seminar--Telling Your Story 3
Select two of the following courses: 6
Introduction to the Visual Arts (GT-AH1)3B 
Understanding Dance (GT-AH1)3B 
Music Appreciation (GT-AH1)3B 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion1C3
Quantitative Reasoning1B3
 Total Credits 28
Sophomore
 
TH 242World Theatre History I 3
TH 243World Theatre History II 3
TH 260Computer Assisted Drafting for Theatre 3
TH 262Stage Management I 3
TH 264Lighting Design I 3
TH 268Projection Design I 3
TH 269BMakeup and Hair Design I: Designers 3
TH 286Theatre Practicum II--Shop Assignment 1
Select one of the following: 1
Theatre Practicum III: Production Crew  
Theatre Practicum III: Asst. Designer in Conceptual Design Process  
Biological and Physical Sciences3A7
 Total Credits 30
Junior
 
TH 364Lighting Design II4A3
TH 386CTheatre Practicum III: Assistant Designer Applied 1
Select one course from the following: 3
Theatre Design and Production Seminar: Lecture Only  
Theatre Design and Production Seminar: Lecture and Lab  
Theatre Design and Production Seminar: Lab Only  
Select one course from the following: 3-6
Global Dramaturgies  
Global Theatre  
Study Abroad--South Africa: Performing Arts and Culture  
Theatre in London: Travel Abroad  
Theatre Internship  
Select one of the following: 1
Theatre Practicum IV: Lead Production/Technical  
Theatre Practicum IV: Lead Designer--Conceptual  
Advanced Writing23
Social and Behavioral Sciences3C3
Historical Perspectives3D3
Upper-Division Electives 10-13
 Total Credits 33
Senior
 
TH 371Musical Theatre History and Repertory I 3
TH 460Design Portfolio and Professional Preparation4B,4C3
TH 486CTheatre Practicum IV: Lead Designer--Applied 1
Select one course from the following: 3
Stage Management II4A 
Projection Design II4A 
Select one course from the following: 3
Theatre Design and Production Advanced Topics: Lecture  
Theatre Design and Production Advanced Topics: Lecture and Lab  
Theatre Design and Production Advanced Topics: Lab  
Upper-Division Electives1 16
 Total Credits 29
 Program Total Credits: 120
1

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be Upper-Division (300- to 400-level). 

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)X 1A3
TH 161StagecraftX  3
TH 186Theatre Practicum I--Crew AssignmentX  1
TH 192First Year Seminar--Telling Your StoryX  3
Select one course from the following:X  3
Introduction to the Visual Arts (GT-AH1)  3B 
Understanding Dance (GT-AH1)  3B 
Music Appreciation (GT-AH1)  3B 
 Total Credits   13
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
TH 140Text AnalysisX  3
TH 160Drawing for TheatreX  3
Select one course from the following:X  3
Introduction to the Visual Arts (GT-AH1)  3B 
Understanding Dance (GT-AH1)  3B 
Music Appreciation (GT-AH1)  3B 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion X1C3
Quantitative Reasoning X1B3
 Total Credits   15
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
TH 242World Theatre History IX  3
TH 260Computer Assisted Drafting for TheatreX  3
TH 264Lighting Design IX  3
TH 268Projection Design IX  3
TH 286Theatre Practicum II--Shop AssignmentX  1
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
TH 243World Theatre History IIX  3
TH 262Stage Management IX  3
TH 269BMakeup and Hair Design I: Designers   3
Select one of the following:   1
Theatre Practicum III: Production Crew    
Theatre Practicum III: Asst. Designer in Conceptual Design Process    
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A4
 Total Credits   14
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
TH 386CTheatre Practicum III: Assistant Designer AppliedX  1
Select one course from the following:X  3
Theatre Design and Production Seminar: Lecture Only    
Theatre Design and Production Seminar: Lecture and Lab    
Theatre Design and Production Seminar: Lab Only    
Advanced Writing X23
Social and Behavioral Sciences X3C3
Historical Perspectives X3D3
Upper-Division Elective X 3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
TH 364Lighting Design IIX 4A3
Select one course from the following:X  3-6
Global Dramaturgies    
Global Theatre    
Study Abroad--South Africa: Performing Arts and Culture    
Theatre in London: Travel Abroad    
Theatre Internship    
Select one of the following:X  1
Theatre Practicum IV: Lead Production/Technical    
Theatre Practicum IV: Lead Designer--Conceptual    
Upper-Division Electives X 7-10
 Total Credits   17
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
TH 371Musical Theatre History and Repertory I   3
Select one course from the following:X  3
Stage Management II  4A 
Projection Design II  4A 
Select one course from the following:X  3
Theatre Design and Production Advanced Topics: Lecture    
Theatre Design and Production Advanced Topics: Lecture and Lab    
Theatre Design and Production Advanced Topics: Lab    
Upper-Division Electives X 6
 Total Credits   15
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
TH 460Design Portfolio and Professional PreparationX 4B,4C3
TH 486CTheatre Practicum IV: Lead Designer--Applied   1
Upper-Division Electives X 10
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   14
 Program Total Credits:   120