Department website: https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/theatre
Department Chair: Dr. Laura Anderson
Office: 180 Doudna Hall
Phone: 608.342.1117
E-mail: andersla@uwplatt.edu
About the Department and Major
Theatre is an ancient art form that has been included in academic study for thousands of years. Theatre provides an opportunity for the synthesis of multiple academic disciplines, including dance, music, art, literature, psychology, history, philosophy, engineering, and various technologies.
The UW-Platteville Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre degree is designed to serve students who will be pursuing a career in theatre performance, technical theatre, theatre education or continuing further study in the field at the graduate level.
The theatre program at UW-Platteville offers numerous hands-on learning opportunities. Students in the program have the opportunity to work both onstage and behind the scenes, learning every facet of the theatrical production process. Along with our student organization, Pioneer Players, the UW-Platteville theatre program produces a five-show season every year – at least one musical production and four non-musical productions. Two of our five productions are student-driven projects.
Balancing traditional coursework and practical training, the theatre students at UW-Platteville enjoy individualized attention and smaller class sizes not usually offered in larger programs. They are also given the opportunity to work on cutting edge and classical material, from the Greeks to the newest plays in the Broadway season.
Theatre is not just an artform, but it is also a business. It takes many different people with a variety of different skill sets to produce theatre, which creates a breadth of employment opportunities. Some of the occupations associated with the theatre field include: accountants, actors, arts administrators, agents, artistic directors, board operators, booking associates, box office managers, business managers, buyers, carpenters, casting directors, company managers, costume designers, costume builders, creative drama instructors, critics, development directors, directors, drama therapists, dramaturgs, electricians, film/cinema professionals, fine arts facilitators, garment cutters, house managers, librettists, lighting designers, lighting technicians, literary managers, lyricists, makeup specialists, managing directors, marketing directors, master electricians, milliners, music directors, painters, print makers, personal managers, playwrights, puppetry artists, producers, production managers, properties designers/managers, publicists, radio and television professionals, rental managers, riggers, scenic artists, set designers, stage combat instructors, stagehands, stage managers, stage movement specialists, stitchers, teachers, technical directors, tour managers, voice and diction specialists, and wig designers.
All students intending to become licensed teachers must satisfy the requirements outlined in the teacher licensure section listed under School of Education in this catalog.
Program of study leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree.
General Requirements Bachelor of Arts Degree
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total for graduation | 120 | |
| General education | 44-58 | |
| Major studies | 51 | |
Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 within the major studies for graduation.
Mission Statement Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts –Theatre Emphasis
The theatre program at UW-Platteville is dedicated to high quality instruction in curricula emphasizing theatre history, critical theory, stagecraft, theatrical design and production, literature, directing, and acting. The curriculum is structured to provide students with the fundamental background and specialized knowledge needed for analysis and understanding of theatre theories and practices.
The degree is designed to serve students who will be pursuing a career in theatre performance, technical theatre or continued study in the field at the graduate level. Theatre majors may also seek Wisconsin DPI certification in theatre.
Goals for Program Graduates
- Graduates will develop and demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and contextual understanding of theatre history, theory, and dramatic literature, as these areas of theatre study form the foundation for all areas of theatre production.
- Graduates will develop and demonstrate competency in areas of theatre production/performance – acting, directing, stage management, and design – culminating in a senior capstone project.
- Graduates will develop and demonstrate competency in critical and analytical thinking skills by effectively communicating and implementing their knowledge of theatre in numbers one and two above both verbally and in writing.
Faculty and Lecturers
Additional information about the Faculty and Lecturers below may be found in the Faculty and Academic Staff section of this catalog.
Ernest, Damian L.
Farrelly, Ann D.
Furlan, Connie J.
Lutz, Zoie E.
Strange, Jeffrey
Strange, Sarah