Theater

The theater major is a comprehensive program offering an emphasis in practical application. With the knowledge and skills they acquire, students are prepared for careers in theater and in related areas of the arts, business, humanities, and social sciences. Three degree programs are offered: BSE in Theater Education; BA in Theater Arts; and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Minor programs are also offered in theater, dance, and arts management. Students are encouraged to participate in acting, costume design, lighting, makeup, management, publicity, playwriting, and stagecraft.

Emphases within the major:

Design/Technology (BFA)
Management/Promotions (BFA)
Performance (BFA)
Stage Management (BFA)
Theater Education (BSE)
With a Minor (BA)

Major skills acquired:

Acting/Directing
Attention to Detail
Communication, Written/Oral
Drawing/Sketching
Interpretation
Management
Memorization
Movement/Dance
Organizational
Painting/Construction
Planning/Development
Problem-solving
Research
Team Collaborating
Technical Detail
Technical Directing/Designing (Sets, Costumes)
Textual Analysis
Vocal Skills

Related occupations:

(With corresponding Dictionary of Occupational Titles numbers). The following list of related occupations is an open list of ideas to expand your career research. Some of these careers may require additional experience or education. Actor (150.047-010)
Artist's Manager (191.117-010)
Booking Manager (191.117-014)
Business Manager (191.117-018)
Business/Company Manager (Managing Director)
Casting Director (159.267-010)
Choreographer (151.027-010)
Comedian (159.047-014)
Costume Designer (142.061-018)
Dancer (151.047-010)
Director of Audience Development
Director, Arts (188.117-042)
Lighting Designer
Lighting Technician (962.362-014)
Mime (159.047-022)
Production Carpenter
Prompter
Public Relations
Research Assistant
Reviewer/Critic (131.067-018)
Script Reader (131.267-022)
Set Designer (142.061-046)
Sound Designer
Sound Engineer
Stage Manager (150.067-010)
Teacher, Drama (150.027-014)
Technical Director (962.162-010)

Representative employers that have hired our students:

Actors Theater of Louisville - Louisville, KY
American Inside Theater - Genesee Depot, WI
American Marketing & Publishing - Milwaukee, WI
American Players Theater - Spring Green, WI
Armory Theatre - Janesville, WI
Bombay Company - Greendale, WI
Caught In The Act - Chicago, IL
Chamber Theater - Milwaukee, WI
Comedy Sportz - Milwaukee, WI
Fireside Theater - Fort Atkinson, WI
First Stage Milwaukee - Milwaukee, WI
Gunner Productions - Los Angeles, CA
John Robert Powers - Brookfield, WI
Lake Mills School District - Lake Mills, WI
Metropolis - Chicago, IL
NBC TV - Los Angeles, CA
Seaside Music Theater - Daytona, FL
Second City - Chicago, IL
Skylight Opera - Milwaukee, WI
State One - Janesville, WI
The Mercury Theater - Chicago, IL
University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI

Graduate schools attended by our students:

Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
University of California - Irvine, CA
University of Delaware, Professional Theatre Training Program - Newark, DE
University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, MN
University of Ohio - Athens, OH

For further information outside Career & Leadership Development:

UW-Whitewater Theater/Dance Department
Departmental Office, Center of the Arts, Room 2076
Phone: (262) 472-1566

American Theater Association
1000 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005