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.
Over the next decade, U.S. jobs in theatre and dance are expected to increase across the board, including an 8% increase for theatre and dance professors, 8% for producers and directors, 6% for dancers and choreographers, and 5% for set designers.
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 [PDF].
What our Theatre and Dance students do
Stage five major productions each school year
Attend the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival annually
Earn credit for roles in productions
Attend the American College Dance Association Conference
Get involved
There are several ways for students to get involved, including student organizations. Theatre, dance and other performance-related groups on campus include:
- Dance Company
- Theta Alpha Phi
- Forensics Team
Theatre and Dance: Major areas
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
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.
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:
The Young: 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.
Greenhill Center of the Arts: The largest academic building on campus and home to the departments of art, music and theatre/dance.
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.
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.
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
Professional actors, dancers and musicians
Theatre educators
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.
Contact us
Want to learn more about earning a Theatre and Dance degree at UW-Whitewater?
262-472-1566 | thtrdnce@uww.edu
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.
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:
- Theatre (BA) | 4-year plan
- Theatre - Design/Technology Emphasis (BFA) | 4-year plan
- Theatre - Performance Emphasis (BFA) | 4-year plan
- Theatre - Stage Management Emphasis (BFA) | 4-year plan
- Bachelor of Science in Education — Theatre | 4-year plan [PDF]
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] »
26/27 Productions
Burn This by Lanford Wilson
Directed by Bruce Cohen
Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.
Hicklin Studio Theatre
In a loft filled with grief, passion, and unresolved longing, Lanford Wilson's "Burn This" explores what happens when the lives we've carefully constructed collide with emotions we can no longer suppress. As grief gives way to desire, certainty unravels, and carefully built defenses begin to crumble. What emerges is an emotionally charged portrait of love, vulnerability, and the impossible choices we face when our hearts demand more than our plans allow. As love and loss blur the line between freedom and responsibility, this searing drama asks a timeless question: What are we willing to leave behind in our pursuit of escape—and what will it ultimately cost? Intimate, raw, and deeply human, Wilson's acclaimed drama reminds us that escaping reality often comes at a price.
Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Robyn Accetta
Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
Hicklin Studio Theatre
In Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke," two neighbors in a small Southern town find themselves torn between desire and duty as they struggle to reconcile the lives they long for with the expectations placed upon them. As each searches for an escape from expectation, they discover that every choice carries a cost and the painful consequences of choices left unmade. Poignant, lyrical, and deeply human, this timeless drama invites audiences to reflect on what we sacrifice when fear keeps us from embracing the lives we truly want.
Cabaret
Book by Joe Masteroff
Based on the play by John Van Druten and
Stories by Christopher Isherwood
Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebbb
Directed by Bruce Cohen
Musical Director Robert Gehrenbeck
Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.
Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.
March 2 at 7 p.m.
March 3 at 7 p.m.
March 4 at 7 p.m.
Hicklin Studio Theatre
Welcome to the Kit Kat Club, where dazzling performances, unforgettable music, and carefree indulgence offer a temporary escape from the uncertain world of late Weimar Germany. As the lives of its patrons and performers intertwine, the boundaries between entertainment and reality begin to blur. Bold, provocative, and deeply moving, "Cabaret" explores what happens when people seek refuge in love, entertainment, ambition, and distraction as the world around them begins to change. It asks what we gain—and what we risk—when we turn toward comfort in times of uncertainty.
The 39 Steps
Adapted by Patrick Barlow
From the novel by John Buchan
From the movie by Alfred Hitchcock
Licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited
And an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon
Directed by Robyn Accetta
April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
April 10 at 7:30 p.m.
April 11 at 2 p.m.
Hicklin Studio Theatre
When an ordinary man becomes the target of spies, police, and an international conspiracy, there's nowhere to hide—and no choice but to keep running. Packed with outrageous characters, ingenious theatricality, and nonstop laughs, Patrick Barlow's hilarious adaptation of "The 39 Steps" transforms Alfred Hitchcock's classic spy story into a wildly inventive stage adventure. You won't want to miss this whirlwind escapade full of clever comedy, edge-of-your-seat fun, and unexpected twists with every escape.
DanceScapes ‘27
Artistic Director: Celia Weiss Bambara
April 30 at 7:30 p.m.
May 1 at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
May 2 at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Hicklin Studio Theatre
Experience the creativity, athleticism, and artistry of the next generation of dance in "DanceScapes '27." Performed by talented student dancers, this dynamic concert features original works by student choreographers, faculty, and a distinguished guest artist, offering a diverse range of dance forms and perspectives. With three unique programs presented across five performances, no two experiences are exactly alike—making every performance a chance to discover something new.
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
Beth Wallace
Costume Shop Supervisor
wallaceb@uww.edu | 262-472-1602
Auditions
Unified Auditions for the First Two Shows in the 2026/27 UWW Theatre/Dance Season
"Burn This" by Lanford Wilson
"Summer and Smoke" by Tennessee Williams
In-Person Auditions:
Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Hicklin Studio Theatre
Callbacks:
Immediately following in-person auditions in the Hicklin Studio Theatre:
- Burn This: 2 - 3 p.m.
- Summer and Smoke: 3 - 4 p.m.
This is an open call, and the entire campus and Whitewater community are invited. You do not have to be a Theatre/Dance major or UW-Whitewater student to audition.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL admitted BFA-Performance students and ALL pre-BFA-Performance students are expected to audition for all productions and perform as-cast. Please be aware that non-participation in a department mainstage audition and refusal to accept a role as-cast will constitute a breach of the BFA degree track expectations and may damage and/or prevent progress toward achieving the BFA-Performance. Please refer questions about this policy to Prof. Eric Appleton (Chair), or Prof. Robyn Accetta (Head of Acting).
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Play #1: Burn This
Written by: Lanford Wilson
Directed by: Bruce Cohen
Rehearsal Dates:
September 2 – October 1
Rehearsal Times:
Mondays – Fridays: 7 – 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 7 – 10 p.m.
Performance Dates:
Friday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7 at 10 a.m. (Student Matinee)
Thursday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 10 at 2 p.m.
Strike:
Sunday, October 11, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Production Information:
Set in a downtown New York loft in the mid-1980s, "Burn This" begins in the aftermath of a sudden death. Anna, a professional dancer, is struggling to steady herself after the loss of her roommate and creative partner, Robbie. When Robbie’s brother Pale arrives, grieving, volatile, and incapable of emotional restraint, the careful order of Anna’s world begins to unravel. At its heart, "Burn This" is a play about grief, artistic identity, and the risk of intimacy. It asks what happens when control meets chaos, when safety collides with aliveness, and when language isn’t enough to express what the body is carrying.
This production will incorporate structured physical storytelling and intimacy work as part of the dramatic language of the piece. Movement will be used to heighten emotional pressure and reveal inner life. No advanced dance experience is required; what matters most is emotional availability, responsiveness, and a willingness to engage physically in a thoughtful, collaborative process. This is a demanding, actor-centered play that requires precision with language, strong listening skills, and a readiness to explore vulnerability with care and discipline.
Available Roles:
All roles will be cast irrespective of conventional gender norms.
- ANNA – A professional dancer; intelligent, contained, and deeply guarded.
- PALE – Robbie’s brother; intensely verbal, grieving, emotionally unfiltered, and unpredictable.
- BURTON – Thoughtful, stable, and well-mannered; represents structure and security.
- LARRY – Grounded, observant, and wry; a steady presence amid upheaval.
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Play #2: Summer and Smoke
Written by: Tennessee Williams
Directed by: Robyn Accetta
Rehearsal Dates:
October 12 – November 12
Rehearsal Times:
Mondays – Fridays: 6 – 9 p.m.
Saturdays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Performance Dates:
Friday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 15 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18 at 10 a.m. (Student Matinee)
Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 at 2 p.m.
Strike:
Sunday, November 22, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Production Information:
"Summer and Smoke" is a lyrical, psychologically rich Southern drama about longing, morality, and the cost of wanting what you’ve been taught not to want. Set in 1916 in Glorious Hill, Mississippi, Alma Winemiller, the reverend’s daughter, shares a complicated bond with her neighbor John Buchanan Jr., the town doctor’s son. Alma is drawn to John, but their values clash: she reaches toward spiritual refinement while he pursues physical pleasure. When Alma finally risks vulnerability and reaches for the life she has denied herself, she finds that John has already chosen a different future.
This play includes mature themes including sexuality and repression, moral judgment/religious pressure, references to illness and mortality, alcohol use, and emotional intensity and will include staged romantic and physical intimacy. We will approach all physical storytelling with a consent-forward, choreography-based process.
While dialects are NOT required at auditions, this production will explore a Mississippi/Deep South dialect base with individualized adjustments by character. Dialect coaching and resources will be offered during rehearsals.
Available Roles:
- REV. WINEMILLER - Alma’s principled father, town moral compass
- MRS. WINEMILLER - Alma’s mercurial mother, fragile faded belle
- JOHN BUCHANAN JR. - charismatic young doctor, pleasure-first provocateur
- ALMA WINEMILLER - high-strung minister’s daughter, yearning “soul”
- ROSA GONZALES - Moon Lake siren, unapologetic appetite for life
- NELLIE EWELL - bright proper young woman, “respectable” future wife
- ROGER DOREMUS - traveling salesman, opportunistic charm merchant
- DR. JOHN BUCHANAN SR. - John’s formidable father, pragmatic patriarch
- MRS. BASETT - civic busybody, chaperone with opinions
- VERNON - would-be playwright, artistic hanger-on
- ROSEMARY - Alma’s social-club companion, small-town gentility
- DUSTIE - working-class townie, blunt heat and muscle
- GONZALES - Rosa’s father, Moon Lake’s proprietor
- ARCHIE KRAMER - local roughneck, trouble in human form
Some tracks may double up characters.
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Audition Information:
- Auditions will consist of a 5-minute slot in which you will present 1 short monologue.
- Monologues must be memorized.
- Sides will be provided for callbacks.
- Walk-ups accepted as time allows.
Hard Copies of Full Scripts:
We encourage everyone auditioning to familiarize themselves with each script. This allows for full transparency around the content of each play and helps inform your audition. Please find copies of both scripts available to students in the Theatre Green Room and Orange Room Library for perusal.
Sign-Up:
To reserve an audition slot, please sign up using the online form. The sign-up form will ask you to upload a resume and a headshot. No formal headshot is required, just a clear and close-up picture from the shoulders up is acceptable. Please arrive at least 5 minutes early to your registered time slot.
Callbacks will be held in person same day and actors will be notified by the end of the hour if they are being asked to attend. Callbacks will consist of cold readings of sides from the script. Sides are available to actors outside of the Department of Theatre Office. Hard copies will also be available at auditions on the day.
If you have questions relating to "Burn This" please reach out to Bruce Cohen at cohenb@uww.edu.
If you have any questions relating to "Summer and Smoke," please reach out to Robyn Accetta at accettar@uww.edu.
Thanks, and can't wait to see you!