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.
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.
Program Details
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blugold Stories
As a theatre arts major, Ben Seidman found himself immersed in the world of performance on campus and gained the confidence needed to pursue a full-time career as a magician.
Explore the world of acting, music and dance with theatre arts at UW-Eau Claire. There is no role too small, and after completing our theatre arts program, you’ll be able to do them all. A bonus is access to the state-of-the-art performance venue at Pablo Center in downtown Eau Claire.
This photo is from our final dress, performing the play titled, "NEO-FUTURISM 101", written by myself! UWEC has helped me become more confident in my art and my ideas.
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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
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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