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Introduction
The UWSP Department
of Theatre and Dance offers talented students with
interests in performing, technical theatre, directing,
design, and dramatic literature an opportunity to train
in a university setting with distinguished faculty who
have worked professionally as directors, playwrights,
actors, and designers.
What is Unique About the Theatre Program at
UWSP?
In
addition to the diversity and breadth of its
curricular options for performing, the
Department of Theatre and Dance offers
students interested in design extensive
opportunities to see their designs realized
in main stage and studio productions. And
they gain extensive knowledge of Computer
Aided Design (CAD) in all areas of design:
costume, scenery, and lighting. Students
interested in directing have many
opportunities outside the classroom to
develop these skills. Few other
undergraduate schools can boast of a faculty
with professional backgrounds that equal
those of the faculty at UWSP. The theatre
programs offered are accredited by the
National Association of Schools of Theatre.
Only a few schools in the Upper Midwest have
this distinction and a reputation that
equals that of UWSP. Put these all together
and UWSP does indeed have something special
and unique to offer students interested in
theatre.
Admission
Theatre
Arts major applicants must meet the
university's admission requirements. In
addition, prospective Theatre majors
(whether they will be coming in as freshmen
or transfer students) are required to apply
for admission to one of the following
programs: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of
Science in Drama; Bachelor of Fine Arts
(BFA) in Drama - Acting; BFA in Drama -
Design/Technology; BFA in Musical Theatre.
Admission to these programs is based on
applications, auditions, and/or interviews.
Further information is available from the
Department of Theatre and Dance office and
on-line at
www.uwsp.edu/theatre-dance/. Students
pursuing a BFA in Acting or Musical Theatre
will need to audition. Interviews are
required for those pursuing a BFA in Design
Technology or a BA/BA in Drama. Departmental
scholarships are awarded on the basis of the
audition or interview.
Curricular and Degree Options
As
Theatre Arts - Drama majors, students pursue
a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of
Science (BS) degree. This 44-credit major
allows the student to focus on acquiring a
breadth of knowledge in theatre. Students
who earn the BA or BS degree may directly
enter the profession or pursue graduate
degrees in specific areas of theatre study.
The 78-credit Bachelor of Fine Arts degree
with a specialization in Acting, Design
Technology, or Musical Theatre focuses
student learning and knowledge in one of
these three specific aspects of study and is
designed for those with serious professional
theatre aspirations. The BFA is a
pre-professional degree program designed to
prepare students for direct entry into the
professional theatre.
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UWSP
Theatre Arts-Drama
Graduates at Work
Production
Stage Manager
York Theatre
New York
u
Co-founder of
Toy Box Theatre Co.
New York
u
Artistic
Director
St. Croix Festival
St. Croix Falls, WI
u
Playwright
20th Century Fox
Universal Studios
Disney
Touchstone Pictures
HBO
u
Actor/Producer
Prairie Fire Theatre
Barrett, MN
u
Associate
Producer
Dream Works Interactive
Los Angeles, CA
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Performance Opportunities
Each year, the
department produces five Mainstage shows (straight
shows, musicals, and dance concerts) and a Studio
Theatre season. Our high quality productions offer
students varied opportunities to practice skills learned
in the classroom on stage as actors, designers, or
technicians. Students also direct, choreograph, perform
in, design and tech the shows produced by Players,
the student-run theatre and dance organization. The
faculty encourages new drama students to become involved
in department and Players productions from the
moment they enter the program.
