College of Arts and Communication

THEATRE AND DANCE

Bachelor's Degree Programs

In the UW-Whitewater Theatre and Dance program, everyone has a chance to learn everything from the front of the house to behind the scenes. We’re a highly hands-on, collaborative program offering an array of major, minor and degree options.

4-year plan

Meet the faculty

Season productions


CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?

Why study Theatre and Dance at UW-Whitewater?

At UW-Whitewater’s Theatre and Dance program, we’re:

  • Large enough to offer a five-production season while being small enough to offer hands-on learning-by-doing experience.
  • Inclusive: Anyone can declare a major or minor in our programs, and anyone can audition for a show.
  • Active in the local community: for example, we offer matinee performances for area high school students and an annual Arts Immersion Day for area talented and gifted middle school students.
  • Experienced: Our faculty members come from near and far, and many are well-situated in our regional theatre community.

We also offer about $40,000 of scholarships to Theatre majors and Dance minors each year.

Scholarship includes Incoming Freshman Scholarships.

What our Theatre and Dance students do

Graphic of two white masquerade masks on a blue background. Stage five major productions each school year
White graphic of a stage light on a green background. Attend the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival annually
Graphic of two white masquerade masks on an orange background. Earn credit for roles in productions
Icon of a body moving in a circle. Attend the American College Dance Association Conference

Theatre and Dance: Major areas

 

Theatre and dance majors backstage during a performance at UW-Whitewater.

Whether you’re looking to major in theatre arts to pursue a career in a performance, education, production or a related area, you’ll be able to choose a path of study that fits your goals at UW-Whitewater. Here’s a brief overview of our degrees in theatre:

Theatre major: Get a broad education
Designed to give you a broad theatre education, the Bachelor of Arts option also allows you the flexibility to add a minor or even declare a second major.

BFA Theatre programs: Specialize your studies
Our BFAs are professional theatre programs that allow you to specialize in one of three areas:

  • performance
  • design/technology
  • stage management

These programs are in-depth, interdisciplinary and highly customizable based on your interests. For example, the management and promotion program offers courses from marketing, communications and business; and the performance major includes electives from broadcast journalism, English and dance.

Theatre Education major: Teach future teachers
UW-Whitewater provides a broad-based theatre education program that prepares our future high school theatre educators, often with a minor in English.

Dance minor: Add some movement to your major
This liberal arts program will expose you to several areas of dance, including ballet, contemporary dance, dance composition, choreography and dance history/criticism. "“As an actor, I always recommend dance classes to colleagues. It provides a person with a strong sense of spacial awareness and a strong understanding of blocking for the stage. I rarely need to be told how to block scenes and I attribute that to my involvement in the dance program.” - Alumnus Tyler King

Learn more about our majors, minors and degree requirements, below.

Student involvement and practicum credit

 

Performance in the Young Auditorium on the University of Wisconsin Whitewater campus.

With five productions each year, Theatre and Dance majors will have plenty of behind-the-scenes and performance opportunities. Our season line-ups might include:

  • Musical theatre
  • Plays
  • Dance concerts
  • Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) performances

You’ll also have the chance to earn official course credit when you participate in various roles in student productions: acting, make-up, directing, sound, costuming, stagecraft, scenery, management/publicity, lighting and more.

Additional hands-on experiences

 

Regional festivals and beyond
We actively participate regionally in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the American College Dance Association Festival. In fact, when we compete in dance competitions, other schools are always surprised to learn UW-Whitewater has “only” a minor.

On-campus employment
We offer work-study positions in our scene shop, our costume shop and our department office. This gives our students a chance to learn more about various aspects of theatre production and programming while working part-time and earning money.

Student organizations
Theatre, dance and other performance-related groups on campus include:

  • Theta Alpha Phi
  • Forensics Team

Setting the scene: Our facilities

 

UW-Whitewater’s Theatre and Dance program uses a variety of learning, rehearsal and performance spaces; most are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts, a place always bustling with music, theatre and dance majors. Here’s a look at a few spaces:

Young Auditorium: This 1,300-seat venue holds dozens of national and university events each year, from concerts and comedy to theater and dance.

Barnett Theatre: With a fully trapped stage — including an orchestra pit — this 380-seat theatre hosts many of our major productions.

 

The final scene of a play by performers on the University of Wisconsin Whitewater campus.

 

Hicklin Studio Theatre: Our versatile black box theatre can be reconfigured to fit a variety of productions, and it is also used as a classroom and rehearsal space.

Kachel Studio: This multipurpose space is home to tap and other dance classes.

Dance Studio: This 4,000-square-foot facility has a sprung Marley floor, warm-up spaces, locker rooms; and it is home to most of our dance classes.

 

Dance majors at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater learn a new routine in pairs.

 

Design Lab: Also a classroom space for our theatre tech students, the lab features drafting tables, a lighting lab and workstations with the latest production and design software.

Scene Shop:In this fully equipped woodshop , you’ll find a paint room, a tool room and a storage area with a large collection of props and furniture.

 

Theatre professor at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater showcases a set design.

 

Costume Shop: The shop is home to an extensive costume collection plus all the tools you’d need to costume a show: sewing machines, sergers, cutting tables, a spray booth, and dye facilities.

What our graduates do

Two masquerade masks with a musical note. Professional actors, dancers and musicians
White graphic of an instructor at a board on a purple background. Theatre educators
White graphic of a paint brush and hammer on a teal background. Stage designers and creative crew professionals

Dance and Theatre jobs: Career success

 

Our Theatre majors and Dance minors are well-rounded, well-prepared practitioners who find work across the country, from New York to California, in theatre, entertainment and education.

You’ll find our graduates in regional theatres, national touring companies, various Shakespeare festivals, dance studios and production companies — as well as teaching at schools and colleges. Here are just a few organizations:

  • American Players Theatre (Spring Green)
  • Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (or Milwaukee Rep)
  • Asolo Repertory Theatre (Sarasota, Florida)
  • Fireside Theatre (Fort Atkinson)
  • Goodman Theatre (Chicago)
  • Melk Music (New Berlin)
  • Universal Studios (University City, California)
  • Walt Disney World (Orlando , Florida)
  • Kenosha Unified School District

Many Theatre majors and Dance minors also pursue MFA (Master of Fine Arts) programs after graduation.

Our Theatre and Dance faculty

Performers. Directors. Stage Designers. Choreographers. Our Theatre and Dance faculty is cast with an array of professionals, many of whom are still active in the non-academic theatre world.

Meet our faculty

Want to learn more about earning a Theatre and Dance degree?

262-472-1566 | thtrdnce@uww.edu | Facebook icon   Instagram icon

In addition to UW-Whitewater’s general education requirements, Theatre and Dance students take a set of core courses and electives that will vary greatly depending upon major or emphasis. Select a program below to download the individual requirements.

UW-Whitewater offers the following degrees:

Minors:

To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater application for admission and indicate your interest in theatre and dance.
View additional information regarding scholarship funds for Incoming Freshman [PDF] »

Apply Now

Support our Programs

25/26 Productions

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Robyn Accetta
Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.
Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.
Hicklin Studio Theatre

“Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Robyn Accetta, offers a hauntingly beautiful reimagining of the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In a realm where memory fades and language fractures, Eurydice’s journey becomes one of rediscovery—of self, of love, and of the past she left behind. With poetic depth and striking imagery, this production explores transformation, redemption, and the possibility of renewal, even in the shadows of loss.

“Eurydice” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.


Scrooge’s Christmas: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens adaptation by Ken Jones
Directed by Bruce Cohen
Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.
Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.
Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
Barnett Theatre

"Scrooge’s Christmas: A Christmas Carol" directed by Bruce Cohen brings new life to Dickens’ classic tale in a fast-paced, heartfelt adaptation by Ken Jones. Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted by the ghosts of his past, present, and future, who lead him on a journey of redemption and transformation. You are sure to enjoy this fresh, theatrical spin on a timeless classic filled with humor, heart, and holiday spirit.

Produced by special arrangement with Heuer Publishing LLC of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.


The Prom
Book and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Book by Bob Martin, Music by Matthew Sklar
Directed by Robyn Accetta
Musical Director Robert Gehrenbeck
Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.
Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.
Barnett Theatre

Get ready for glitter, drama, and a whole lot of heart! "The Prom" directed by Robyn Accetta is a vibrant, feel-good musical that brings together an impactful story of queer love, Broadway glitz and small-town grit in a story bursting with humor, heart, and humanity. Full of show-stopping songs and powerful moments, this production celebrates redemption, transformation, and the joy of being seen. Whether you're here for the laughs, the love, or the glitter—there’s a place for you at "The Prom."

THE PROM is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide,1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036.


DanceScapes ‘26
Artistic Director: Amy Slater
March 14 at 2 p.m.
March 15 at 2 p.m.
March 18 at 7:30 p.m.
March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Barnett Theatre

Get ready to be thrilled by "DanceScapes ’26." This production, under the artistic direction of Amy Slater, includes a variety of original dance pieces choreographed by students, faculty, and a special guest artist. You don’t want to miss this captivating performance!


The Liar by Pierre Corneille translated by Richard Wilbur
Directed by Bruce Cohen
April 24 at 7:30 p.m.
April 25 at 7:30 p.m.
April 26 at 2 p.m.
April 30 at 7:30 p.m.
May 1 at 7:30 p.m.
May 2 at 2 p.m.
Hicklin Studio Theatre

Wit and deception collide in "The Liar" by Pierre Corneille, brought to life through Richard Wilbur’s masterful translation and directed by Bruce Cohen. A charming trickster’s web of falsehoods spirals into chaos, setting the stage for unexpected truths and personal awakenings. Through sharp comedy and heartfelt twists, this classic tale explores the redemptive power of honesty and the possibility of transformation. Join us for a vibrant journey where every lie brings us closer to the truth.


Scene and Costume Shops

Jobs are available in our scene and costume shops for all students regardless of major. Contact our faculty for more information.

Ruth Conrad-Proulx
Technical Director
conradpr@uww.edu | 262-472-1561

Department Office
thtrdnce@uww.edu | 262-472-1566


Auditions

DanceScapes ’26 Auditions coming soon

Auditions for Spring Productions coming soon

Explore related programs at UW-Whitewater