About us

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Production photos of Amadeus, bobrauschenbergamerica, and Inspecting Carol

Whether you are interested in Theatre or Dance as a major, a minor, or just as an extra-curricular activity, we have the program for you.  We have an invigorated and fresh approach to theatre at UWL.  You will be a person in the theatre department and never just another number.  We are a liberal arts undergraduate program, so you will never have to compete with graduate students for the same acting roles or backstage and design assignments.

We produce a 6-play season with recent productions including: Murder on the Orient Express, Metamorphoses, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, She Loves Me, Big Fish, The Country Wife, and Hair. Come and work with us! Become part of a community on campus just as soon as you'd like. Audition, volunteer, sign-up for class credit for production work; whatever fits your needs. Most auditions are cold readings (nothing to prepare) and backstage work is always available. Majors and minors can emphasize in Performance, Design/Tech, General Theatre, Arts Administration, Theatre Management, Musical Theatre or Dance (minor only)!

Theatre and Dance at UWL is a vibrant and growing program. We have a dedicated faculty and a strong student body who collaborate to create exciting and cutting-edge theatre:  Theatre that matters.  Feel free to contact us for information or just to ask a question at any time.  Join us for a Campus Close-Up or call and set up a campus visit.  We'll have you visit classes, meet with students and faculty members, get you tickets for a play or let you attend a rehearsal.  We look forward to meeting you and working with you.

Come be part of a community of artists and creators at UWL!


MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse endeavors to provide students with the tools necessary to function as complete artists and self-realized individuals, combining theatrical training with a strong liberal arts curriculum. A combination of classroom training and realized production work allows for a well-rounded college experience with an emphasis on the collaborative and creative process.

DEPARTMENT GOALS

The course work and production requirements followed to earn a bachelor's degree in Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse seek to: 1) provide training for theatre careers by preparing students for further specialization at the graduate level or employment within the professional field, and 2) provide students with the skills necessary to seek other career and/or educational opportunities.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The study of theatre and dance combines the knowledge and skills required of a performer, creator, teacher, theorist, and historian. Undergraduate studies in theatre should prepare students for a variety of collaborative artistic roles.

In order to achieve these goals, the program is designed to prepare students to:

  • Be involved in the creation and presentation of public performances in theatre.
  • Develop visual and aural perceptions related to theatre performance. 
  • Develop intellectual skills needed to analyze play scripts and other dramatic texts.
  • Develop the creative thinking necessary for concrete expression.
  • Improve technical writing skills
  • Understand basic production processes such as acting, directing, scenic, costume, make-up, lighting and sound design, stage and theatre management, technical direction and operations related to productions. 
  • Become familiar with and develop competence in a number of theatrical techniques/disciplines. 
  • Become familiar with the historical and cultural dimensions of theatre, including the works of leading playwrights, directors, actors, designers, historians and theorists both past and present. 
  • Develop collaborative skills and learn to create a professional working atmosphere.
  • Identify and incorporate a variety of perspectives, both in global and artistic, in production/practicum/classroom work.
  • Understand and evaluate contemporary thinking about theatre and related arts. 
  • Demonstrate and apply critical thinking skills to make informed assessments of quality works of theatre.

Production photos for Antigone, Footloose, and The Balkan Women

Slide image for Fall 2023 Auditions Fall 2023 Auditions
Slide image for Dance Auditions Dance Auditions
Slide image for Introducing Mary Trotter Introducing Mary Trotter
Calahan Skogman, Theatre Performance (Class of 2016) Matthias, Shadow and Bone (Netflix) "Among the many seasons in my journey as an actor, my time spent with UWL Theatre was not only the most special, but the most important. The program offered me incredible opportunities and instilled in me a profound belief in myself as a young artist. It was there that I was fostered by my first theatrical family, and I am forever grateful." Calahan Skogman Calahan Skogman, Theatre Performance (Class of 2016) Matthias, Shadow and Bone (Netflix) "Among the many seasons in my journey as an actor, my time spent with UWL Theatre was not only the most special, but the most important. The program offered me incredible opportunities and instilled in me a profound belief in myself as a young artist. It was there that I was fostered by my first theatrical family, and I am forever grateful."
Slide image for Major Minor Meeting Fall 2023 Major Minor Meeting Fall 2023
Slide image for First Year Mia Bondy First Year Mia Bondy
Class Assignment--Lighting Design Class, taught by Mandy Kolbe Lighting Design Class Class Assignment--Lighting Design Class, taught by Mandy Kolbe
Slide image for First Year Spotlight Logan First Year Spotlight Logan
Slide image for Dance Minor Dance Minor
Slide image for Introducing Christopher Kurtz Introducing Christopher Kurtz
Camille Foss (Class of 2022) focusing lights for the production of Love/Sick in the Frederick Theatre, Morris Hall. Focusing Lights Camille Foss (Class of 2022) focusing lights for the production of Love/Sick in the Frederick Theatre, Morris Hall.
Slide image for First Year Natalie Giddings First Year Natalie Giddings
UWL Theatre faculty, Megan Morey, welding scenery for the production, The Revolutionists. Welding in the Scene Shop UWL Theatre faculty, Megan Morey, welding scenery for the production, The Revolutionists.
Slide image for First Year Coleman Breedlove First Year Coleman Breedlove
UWL Theatre's Green Room. Each year, graduating theatre majors "paint a brick" in the Green Room to commemorate their time at UWL. Is yours in this photo? Green Room Memories UWL Theatre's Green Room. Each year, graduating theatre majors "paint a brick" in the Green Room to commemorate their time at UWL. Is yours in this photo?
Slide image for Introducing Nate Mohlman Introducing Nate Mohlman
Slide image for First Year Jeralyn Ree First Year Jeralyn Ree
UWL Theatre student, Nina Fredrickson, sewing costumes for the productions of Love/Sick and The Revolutionists in the costume shop. Costume Shop Sewing UWL Theatre student, Nina Fredrickson, sewing costumes for the productions of Love/Sick and The Revolutionists in the costume shop.
Slide image for First Year Morgan Millard First Year Morgan Millard
Students have opportunities to work in the scene shop building sets, painting, designing props, etc. Scene Shop Students have opportunities to work in the scene shop building sets, painting, designing props, etc.
Slide image for First Year Student Makenna Trumm First Year Student Makenna Trumm