Theatre program

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor

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 with multiple honors from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Competition. 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. 

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. UWL's Theatre and Dance Department curriculum allows concentrations in seven areas:

  • General theatre studies
  • Design/technical
  • Performance
  • Musical theatre
  • Stage management
  • Arts administration
  • Dance

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

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 consultant, critic or instructor

What distinguishes UWL's Theatre program?

National recognition

UWL Theatre and Dance students and productions have been nationally recognized for excellence and professionalism by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). Faculty and students have been recognized for their production work in the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) Irene Ryan Competition, as well as 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 whether as backstage crew, technicians, designers, stage managers, performers or front of house staff. Through involvement, students are able to gain a network of peers in the department. Participation in theatre and dance productions is open to all UWL students regardless of major.
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.

Areas of study

Theatre

View a sample plan for Theatre

Arts Administration Emphasis

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor View a sample plan for Arts Administration Emphasis

Design/Technical Emphasis

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor View a sample plan for Design/Technical Emphasis

General Emphasis

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor View a sample plan for General Emphasis

Musical Theatre Emphasis

MUndergrad major View a sample plan for Musical Theatre Emphasis

Performance Emphasis

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor View a sample plan for Performance Emphasis

Stage Management Emphasis

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor View a sample plan for Stage Management Emphasis

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. Offered Fall.

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 will rely heavily on the imagination and creative skills of the student and will include research in physical analysis, character analysis, and color theory. Each student will serve as the makeup designer for all projects in this course. Offered Fall - Even Numbered Years.

THA 221 Movement for the Stage Theory and practice in training the actor's body to serve as a skillful and expressive means of communication. Emphasis on the student's awareness of movement as a foundation for character development. Offered Fall - Even Numbered Years.

THA 222 Voice and Diction for the Stage Theory and practice of the fundamentals of vocal production: breathing control, articulation, projection, quality, and expressiveness for the actor. Offered Fall - Odd Numbered Years.

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 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 320 Acting II: Characterization Theory and practice of realistic acting techniques and textual analysis in the development of characterization. Monologues and scenes from realistic drama to be performed. Prerequisite: THA 220. Offered Fall.

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 420 Directing Theory and practice of directing for the stage. Emphasis on analysis, preparation and presentation of dramatic scenes. Prerequisite: THA 210, THA 220; six credits from THA 250, THA 350, THA 351. Offered Fall - Even 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.

More