ID
Scenes from the UWEC theater's production of "Peter and the Starcatcher".

Theatre Arts

Explore all things theatre, including singing, dancing, acting, directing, playwriting and more with a theatre bachelor's degree from UW-Eau Claire. Whether your art is singing, dancing, or acting — or you prefer behind-the-scenes work in directing, playwriting, costuming, set building or sound and lights — our program will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and connections you need to light up the stage and enrich your community.

Available as
Certificate, Major, or Minor
Description

Dive Into the World of Acting, Music, and Dance

There is no role too small, and after completing our theatre arts program, you’ll be able to do them all! Curriculum is structured so that you have the chance to try everything, gaining skills and professional experience both on and off the stage.

Earning a degree in theatre arts from UW-Eau Claire opens doors to countless performance and learning opportunities. Explore courses in acting, directing, technical theatre, design, history and literature, and participate in dozens of productions and shows. Faculty experts and frequent guest performers bring diverse experiences, new techniques, and best practices.

Here, you'll have the opportunity to explore. Join an arts-focused student org, study abroad or participate in our National Student Exchange program. No matter your path, our theatre arts bachelor’s degree program will give you the guidance, tools and confidence needed to light up the stage and enrich your community.

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asCertificate, Major, or Minor
Program Length 4 years
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on
Hallmarks
student sewing a garment in costume shop for theatre arts
The Chance to Try Everything

As a theatre arts major, you will learn not only the fundamentals of theatre arts, but you also will have the flexibility to focus on specialized topics, such as opera, dance, and technical theatre. By completing practicums in areas like costume shop and light and sound, you’ll gain additional theatre experience and leadership skills to help you reach your full potential.  

student in Cloud 9 play in costume
Performances Galore

The Music and Theatre Arts Department offers four mainstage productions, plus a Theatre for Young Audiences touring production, student-directed Short Play Festivals, and a dance concert. Each of our productions take place in facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and acoustics. In addition, you’ll have the chance to be a part of Opera on Wheels, where you can perform at different elementary schools and teach kids the fundamentals of opera.

Arthur Grothe in class at Pablo
Classes and Faculty That Make an Impact

The theatre arts program gives you direct access to a diverse array of theatre professors whose degrees are from some of the best programs in the country. Smaller class sizes allow you to work one-on-one with your professors and peers who share the same passions as you. And as one of only a few programs in the region that houses music, theatre and dance in the same department, you'll experience a rare and extremely beneficial collaboration between all three disciplines. 

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Art-Focused Housing

UW-Eau Claire’s partnership with Pablo Center gives you unparalleled access to the theatre facilities, and when you live in Haymarket Landing, those opportunities are right outside your front door. Built with music and theatre students in mind, the apartment-style residence hall is across the street from Pablo Center, allowing you to stay close to the action.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

8 Majors, 2 Minors, 5 Certificates
Music and Theatre Arts offers a standout education with a variety of academic programs to help you find your perfect role.
Meet Fellow Musicians and Artists
Explore 20 student orgs geared towards music, theatre, and dance.
A History of Music Excellence
Our jazz ensembles have 2 Grammy nominations, 8 DownBeat awards, and 21 albums.
6 Performance Venues
From on-campus theaters to the Pablo Center in downtown Eau Claire, you can perform at a variety of professional venues.
200+ Annual Performances
Help coordinate or participate in one of UWEC's annual music, dance, or theatre performances.
Outcomes Image
alumni Alfredo Narciso TV actor
What can I do

Where can the theatre arts program lead me after graduation?

UWEC graduates leave with a well-rounded education and an impressive resume, making them ideal job candidates. Alumni go on to perform wherever their hearts take them — on Broadway or close to home at the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre.

Students have also found paid internships and summer work at places like the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Glimmerglass Theatre Festival, Santa Fe Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, American Repertory Theater, Iowa Shakespeare Festival, and Pablo Center.

Example Careers

  • Actor
  • Broadway performer
  • Theatre director
  • Stage manager
  • Script writer
  • Arts administration

Recent Graduates

Director
Eau Claire Children's Theatre
Wisconsin

Performer
Broadway
New York City

Contracted Actor
Minnesota Renaissance Fair/Murder Mystery Co.
Minnesota

Actor
Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
Minnesota

Courses information
SampleCourses

UW-Eau Claire's theatre arts program will provide you with experience in acting, singing, dancing, directing and behind-the-scenes work. A variety of classes will introduce you to new topics and job opportunities, so you're able to pick a career path that you are passionate about.

A unique partnership with Pablo Center at the Confluence allows our students to learn in state-of-the-art facilities, including two theaters, a recording studio, a music recital space and an art gallery. There, students also gain real-world experience using the industry's most up-to-date equipment and software.

Here are a few courses in Theatre Arts at UW-Eau Claire.

THEA 130

Acting I

Theory and practical applications of basic acting skills through exercises, improvisation and scripted scenes.

THEA 324

Costume Design

Introduction to the theory and practice of costume design. Includes instruction of period research, rendering techniques, and the process of costume design for script analysis, leading to the design of a workable stage costume.

THEA 239

Stage Movement

Introduction to basics of stage movement aimed primarily at developing skill and expressiveness in acting. Follows an active, learning-through-participation approach.

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Meet the Faculty

Arthur Grothe
Music and Theatre Arts Department
Professor of Theatre Arts, Artistic Director of Theatre
Jennifer Chapman
Music and Theatre Arts Department
Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department
Professor of Theatre Arts
James Zwicky
Music and Theatre Arts Department
Professor of Theatre Arts
Technical Director
What's Next

What's Next?

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