Recommended script reading list

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Theatre students are encouraged to broaden their script knowledge outside the classroom by reading different genres, styles and authors. Below is a recommended script list. Many of these scripts are available for check out through the Department of Theatre Arts.

If you want to work in American theatre, you should know the plays and playwrights listed below.  Luckily, you will read a number of these plays in your classes at UW-La Crosse!  In particular, note the contemporary playwrights listed at the bottom   Read more of their work than just the plays listed.  These are the playwrights working in American theatre today, and you will be more than likely to encounter their work as an actor, designer, stage manager, and/or director.  Also note:  This is an extremely partial list of plays and playwrights that you will encounter in American theatre.  Let this be a starting point!

Script Title Author
Oedipus the King Sophocles
The Bacchae Euripides
Lysisstrata Aristophanes
Everyman Anonymous
'Tis Pity She's a Whore      John Ford
Hamlet William Shakespeare
As You Like It William Shakespeare
Tartuffe Moliere
The Rover Aphra Behn
Life is a Dream Pedro Calderon de la Barca
Faust Goethe
A Doll's House Henrik Ibsen
A Dream Play August Strindberg
Ubu Roi Alfred Jarry
The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde
The Seagull Anton Chekhov
Rachel Angelina Weld Grimke
Out Town Thornton Wilder
Six Characters in Search of An Author    Luigi Pirandello
Mother Courage Bertolt Brecht
A Streetcar Named Desire Tennessee Williams
Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller
Waiting for Godot Samuel Beckett
The Maids Jean Genet
The Children's Hour Lillian Hellman
Long Day's Journey Into Night Eugene O'Neill
Funnyhouse of a Nero Adrienne Kennedy
The Birthday Party Harold Pinter
A Tempest Aime Cesaire
A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry
Buried Child Sam Shepard
Fefu and Her Friends Maria Irene Fornes
Fences August Wilson
Contemporary Playwrights:
M. Butterfly David Henry Hwang
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Tom Stoppard
Cloud 9 Caryl Churchill
Fires in the Mirror Anna Deavere Smith
Angels in America: Millennium Approaches    Tony Kushner
The American Play Suzan-Lori Parks
How I Learned to Drive Paula Vogel
The Greek Plays (collection) Ellen McLaughlin
Ruined Lynn Nottage
Slide image for Fall 2023 Auditions Fall 2023 Auditions
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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."
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Class Assignment--Lighting Design Class, taught by Mandy Kolbe Lighting Design Class Class Assignment--Lighting Design Class, taught by Mandy Kolbe
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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.
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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