History of the department

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Marie Toland and Robert FrederickIn 1909, before there was a major in Theatre Arts, Dr. David Coate, professor of English, sponsored the campus dramatic group, The Buskin Dramatic Club. Their first performance was The Christmas Chime and was held three years later. Shortly thereafter the club disbanded.
Drama at UWL was on hold for a few years until the Speech Department sponsored a new dramatic club in 1937. The driving force behind this new group was Marie Park Toland, director of theatre. Dr. Toland was joined by Robert Frederick in 1946, and together they built the foundations or "the first act" of theatre for UWL.  

Their invaluable contributions to the program led to the creation of an academic major in Speech beginning in 1968. Both Toland and Frederick have theatres named in their honor. Twelve years later UWL finally created an official major in Theatre Arts. Dr. Robert Joyce and Dr. Richard Tinapp took their initial offering and trained many theatre students, practitioners, and lovers of the art. Their blood, sweat, and passion laid the groundwork for what has become a vibrant, vital force within the region.

Today's Department of Theatre and Dance has come a long way from its' meek beginnings in 1909. In 1997 Theatre split from Speech and the Department of Theatre Arts was created. The new major has five emphases including General Theatre, Performance, Design/Tech, Musical Theatre, and Theatre Management. In Fall 2022, the department officially became the Department of Theatre and Dance with the addition of a new dance minor.  From its' early beginnings, theatre arts today has over 60 majors and 30 minors with academic and artistic credentials equal or better than any undergraduate program in the country.

Along with a full palette of academic classes, the Department of Theatre and Dance produces seven productions a year including a yearly children's show and an annual SummerStage musical with auditions open to the entire community. The future of Theatre and Dance at UWL is stronger than at any other point in its history. The growth of the department, the strength of the faculty, the excellence of its students, and the award-winning program are leading us to the next level. Along with support from the campus and from the community, this program is poised to become a leader in theatre training in the region and throughout the Midwest.

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