Theatre Arts
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The arts of the theater — acting, directing, playwriting, stagecraft, design, literature, costuming, makeup and lighting — enable students to explore the cosmic experience of man in the universe. At UW-Eau Claire you will enhance your ability to present the experience of human beings to audiences through practical experimentation and practice that will entertain and enlighten.
Well-trained
As a theatre arts major you will receive training in various aspects of theater including technical theater, acting, directing, dance, dramatic literature, playwriting, oral interpretation and arts management.
Life is a stage
The department produces an active theatre season that includes five main-stage productions, a theatre for Youth touring production, student-directed Short Play Festivals, a New Playwrights Festival and a dance concert - all produced in facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. Our comprehensive theatre seasons expose students to a full range of styles, genres and periods, including comedy, tragedy and musical theatre. Opportunities for involvement in productions are open to all UW-Eau Claire students.
More than acting
In addition to course offerings, students actively participate in production work in
areas such as Acting, Directing, Designing, State Managing, Play Writing, Theatre Promotion and Technical Theatre. Practical experience is supported by a dynamic faculty who work closely with students and are active in their fields.
Uniquely UW-Eau Claire
We offer a Theatre Education Major and Minor toward Wisconsin State Certification, grades PK-12. Each spring we tour a Theatre for Young Audiences production to elementary schools throughout Western Wisconsin, serving about 3,000 children grades 1-5.
Outstanding facilities
Students have access to outstanding theater facilities including Kjer Theatre, a 400-seat proscenium theatre; Riverside Theatre, a 200-seat thrust stage; and Gantner Hall, a 600-seat concert hall.
Great shops
Student theater technicians work in two fully equipped wood/plastics/metals shops. A modern costume shop provides costumes for most productions, and the department maintains an extensive costume design collection.
- Costume history and design
- Acting and directing
- Oral interpretation of
literature, poetry and prose
- Historical and modern
drama and theater
More advising information
Our graduates
Typical positions held by theatre arts graduates include actor/actress in theatre, film or television; theatre teacher; scriptwriter; casting agent; costume designer; set, lighting or prop designer; director; technical director; or stage manager.
More career information
Places you’ll find recent graduates:
- Children’s Theatre Director,
Eau Claire, WI
- Professional Acting,
Freelance
- Actor, Climb Theatre,
St. Paul, MN
- Drama Teacher,
Monroe County,
Madison, WI
- Comedic Magician,
Las Vegas, NV
Department contact information
Vanissa B. Murphy
murphyvb@uwec.edu
715-836-4954
