Theatre program

Dim the lights. Step on stage. Begin your future.

Discover your future in theatre whether performing, directing, designing, managing or working behind the scenes. Theatre students also gain skills that transfer to a wide range of professions beyond the stage. A dance minor offers opportunities for students to broaden their creative skills.

UWL's Theatre and Dance Department is nationally-recognized. Productions invited to perform at regional festivals have won multiple awards, and students have received individual accolades in performance, design, theatre technology, and stage management. It is also named one of the best college theatre programs in the U.S., according to OnStage Blog.

Students receive one-on-one attention from faculty, gain a tremendous amount of production experience, and join a positive, collaborative and artistically-stimulating environment.

Undergrad major Undergrad minor

Theatre

Theatre involves using live performers to present a story — real or imagined — in front of an audience. Theatre is a broad field with many avenues to pursue whether on stage or behind the scenes.

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Arts Administration Emphasis

The arts administration emphasis prepares students for leadership roles in theatre, dance, opera, and other arts organizations. Students will gain an understanding of the organizational structure and legal requirements of nonprofit organizations, along with hands-on projects in marketing, fundraising, and financial management.

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Design/Technical Emphasis

The design & technology emphasis allows students to specialize in a single area or to become well-versed in multiple aspects of theatre production. Areas of specialization include scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, and technical direction. Students will learn both in the classroom and through hands-on experiences in the shops and on productions.

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Multidisciplinary Studies

This emphasis allows students to experience every aspect of theatre including acting, design, management, history, and directing. Students combine classroom study and practicum activities in a range of topics.

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Musical Theatre Emphasis

We combine the best theatrical training with solid musical technique in the musical theatre emphasis. This competitive program requires an audition, rewarding students with an array of classes in theory and technique. It combines acting, voice, and dance classes with multiple production opportunities, enabling students to develop their "triple threat” potential.

Undergrad major View a sample plan Catalog

Performance Emphasis

Solid training in acting, voice, and movement will prepare you for a career in theatre, film or television. The performance emphasis is complemented by a background in literature and history, as well as elective courses from all areas of theatre to create a well-rounded professional.

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Stage Management Emphasis

Students will focus on both the art and craft of stage management, refining their skills in personnel management, communication, blocking, cue calling, paperwork and more. Stage management courses are complemented by courses in lighting, sound, and directing, and paired with assignments on department productions.

Undergrad major Undergrad minor View a sample plan Catalog

A program within the Department of Theatre & Dance

Theatre definition

Theatre involves using live performers to present a story — real or imagined — in front of an audience. Theatre is a broad field with many avenues to pursue whether on stage or behind the scenes.

The UWL Theatre Department provided an education, friendships and a second family that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The faculty care about the well-being and success of every student and strive to help each one become a well-rounded, educated artist.

Justin Cooke

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Theatre jobs

Theatre and dance provides great training to build career skills such as creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, meeting strict deadlines and more. All of these skills are fully transferrable to nearly any career within or outside of theatre.

Graduating students will also leave with experience that opens doors to graduate school and careers within the theatre world. Careers in theatre include, but are not limited, to

Positions

Actor
Technical, artistic or music director
Business or box office manager
Choreographer
Lighting, sound, costume or special effects designer
Costume shop supervisor or technician
Drama coach
Dramaturg
Director
Makeup artist
Master carpenter or electrician
Playwright
Producer
Production, house or stage manager
Pyrotechnician
Scenic designer or painter
Stage crew
Theatre scholar or instructor

What distinguishes UWL's theatre arts program?

National recognition

UWL Theatre and Dance is nationally known for excellence and professionalism by the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF). Faculty and students have been recognized for their productions in the Irene Ryan Competition, and they have earned design/tech/management certificates of merit.

Top program in Wisconsin

A national theatre blog placed UWL's Department of Theatre and Dance as the best theatre program in Wisconsin in a listing of top programs in all 50 states. OnStage editors say identifying top college programs begins with finding those doing “amazing things and giving their students fantastic preparation for their various industries.”

Classroom learning + practical, production experience

In UWL's program the stage is a natural extension of the classroom where students demonstrate, refine and expand skills. They gain a well-rounded education with an emphasis on the collaborative and creative process. Other hands-on experience includes classroom projects, senior recitals and designs, undergraduate research grant-funded productions and more.

Hands-on involvement in productions

UWL students work on six, fully-produced shows each academic year. Students are involved from the start of their academic career as technicians, designers, stage managers, performers, dramaturgs or front of house staff. Through involvement, students are able to build a network of peers in the department. Participation in theatre and dance productions is open to all UWL students.

One-on-one student attention

The student-to-faculty ratio in the program is smaller than many comparable programs, allowing for more individualized attention. Each student receives regular feedback on their progress and development as a student and artist. Department faculty and staff know who students are and how they’re performing academically and artistically.

Global perspective

The department provides a diverse and global perspective by teaching coursework in a cultural context from various cultures/geographic regions worldwide, maintaining non-traditional casting whenever possible, and linking with other organizations to provide culturally-rich programming. Students in the program have studied in locations such as Italy, Spain, Vietnam, London, Russia, India and more.

Reputable faculty and guest artists

UWL Theatre and Dance faculty have a wide range of professional experiences including designing for the American University in Cairo, Egypt; performing with the Boston Lyric Opera; technical direction for the Great River Shakespeare Festival; directing and performing for The Alternative Truth Project; authoring The Stage Manager’s Toolkit; and leading study abroad opportunities in London. The department also frequently brings guest artists to campus from professional and educational theatre.

Choose your path

Students can choose to major in one theatre emphasis area while minoring in another thus enhancing their educational opportunities and professional marketability. Note: Musical Theatre is the only emphasis area offered as a major only; no minor is available.

Sample courses

THA 201 Dramatic Literature and Theatre Arts From text to theatre, how does dramatic literature translate into live performance? To read plays is but one aspect of the art of drama. To create a theatrical performance from a playscript is to appreciate the full artistic potential of dramatic literature. International and multicultural theatre ranging from the classical to the contemporary will be the basis for explorations into the significance and beauty of the dramatic arts. An interdisciplinary approach in both content and method will be used as the dramatic literature is considered in the context of history and culture, literature and art. CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics. Offered Fall.

THA 222 Voice and Movement for the Stage The course examines the theory and practice of the fundamentals of movement, gesture, and vocal production to serve as skillful and expressive means of communication on stage. The emphasis is on the student's awareness of the relationship between voice and body as the foundation of theatrical performance. Offered Fall.

THA 232 Costume Crafts Theory and practice of basic costume construction. Emphasis on the construction of stage costumes and accessories, including, but not limited to, basic pattern adaptation, millinery techniques, costume jewelry techniques and mask construction. Prerequisite: THA 210 for theatre majors and minors. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.

THA 241 Stage Makeup The theory and practice of the fundamentals of painted theatrical makeup, including various theatrical makeup materials and their applications. The course relies heavily on the imagination and creative skills of the student and includes research in physical analysis, character analysis, and color theory. Each student serves as the makeup designer for all projects in this course. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Offered Fall - Even Numbered Years.

THA 270 Music Theatre Vocal Study Intensive study of the artistry of singing solo vocal musical theatre repertoire. Study will promote growth in and understanding of: musical theatre vocal technique, breath, body alignment, healthful use of the speaking voice, projection, diction and elocution for the stage. Technical work will be applied through study and performance of musical theatre repertoire. Attendance at a weekly studio class and final performance required. This course is intended for theatre majors pursuing an emphasis in music theatre, after completion of their applied voice requirement in their music minor. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: completion of applied voice requirement in music minor; theatre arts major-music theatre emphasis. Offered Fall, Spring.

THA 290 Stage Management for the Arts This course will provide an introduction to Stage Management for the arts as well as a working understanding of the job of a stage manager. Emphasis on practical theory as well as the history of stage management will be combined with critical theories of running a production. The course will culminate in preparing students to stage-manage for a realized production. Offered Fall - Odd Numbered Years.

THA 320 Acting II: Contemporary Scene Study This course develops the actor's technique by building on the skills learned in Acting I and introducing multiple advanced acting practices. Students focus on creating subtext, finding emotional depth, and exploring collaborative acting methods. Students apply these techniques in scene work in a studio setting. Prerequisite: THA 220. Offered Spring.

THA 330 Scene Painting Theory and practice of scene painting techniques for the theatre. By studying theories utilized by professional scenic artists, students will learn to interpret a designer's rendering or scaled elevation. Practical exercises will introduce students to the techniques necessary to reproduce the aesthetics of designer's renderings or scaled elevations as actual scenic pieces. Offered Fall - Even Numbered Years.

THA 331 Theatre Technology The research and application of current technology in the theatre, including the exploration of new materials and construction techniques. The course will include an introduction to computer-Assisted drafting and design, the operation and maintenance of new technologies in the theatre facility, and the examination of health, safety, and liability issues. Prerequisite: THA 210, THA 231. Offered Fall - Even Numbered Years.

THA 342 Sound Design The course provides the student with a working knowledge of sound design for theatre. It emphasizes the creation of sound environments for theatre through the use of modern digital and physical sound technology. The course also covers basic acoustics through the lens of theatrical sound. Prerequisite: THA 210. Offered Spring - Odd Numbered Years.

THA 355 Dramaturgy This course introduces students to the role of the dramaturg on a theatrical production. Students will learn to conduct historical, social, political, and cultural research and analysis, and develop best practices for sharing this information with actors, audiences, and creative teams in both print and digital formats. Prerequisite: THA 110 or THA 201 or THA 210 or THA 250. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.

THA 420 Directing This course introduces students to the theory and practice of directing for the stage. Emphasis is placed on analysis, production preparation, rehearsal techniques, and ethnical collaboration for the presentation of realistic dramatic scenes. Prerequisite: THA 210; THA 220; THA 250 or THA 350. Offered Spring - Odd Numbered Years.

THA 440 Costume Design/History A course in the principles and practices of designing stage costumes. Emphasis on the creative capabilities of the designer with a working knowledge of historical periods used in stage costuming. Prerequisite: THA 210. Offered Spring - Odd Numbered Years.