Theatre Arts
Creative. Professional. Award-Winning. Connected.
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Theatre Arts Department is a small and special, award-winning program. Recognized by the Wisconsin Board of Regents with the Award for Teaching Excellence, we continue to accrue accolades and honors, season after season. Our proudest accomplishment is our students’ success in their education and beyond!
Located between Milwaukee and Chicago, our department regularly connects with the hundreds of nearby professional theatres. These connections combined with our esteemed professional training program results in very high success rates for students securing internships, employment in professional theatres, and admission into great graduate programs.
Our high-quality productions rival those of professional theatres. Our production labs, state-of-the-art black box theatre, and well-equipped proscenium main stage theatre serve as inspiring backdrops to the work we do alongside students. From classical to contemporary comedies, dramas, and musicals, our audiences and students are treated rich experiences.
Our student-first company model, our high production values, our enviable facilities and our academic successes are just some of the many special aspects of our program.
We invite you to explore our website to discover for yourself what makes the Parkside Theatre Arts program so outstanding.
See for yourself what makes us unique.
Theatre Arts
Be part of our company.
At Parkside you are much more than just a theatre major; you become a member of our professional theatre training company. Our company is capped at 65 exceptional majors, including actors, designers, stage managers, and technicians, so that you'll receive personalized training within a creative and collaborative learning environment.
Your first step to joining the company as a Parkside student is a program entry interview and/or audition. We accept both virtual and in-person auditions.
Program Entry Auditions
Audition the way that works best for you. We accept both in-person and virtual auditions. Either way, we look forward to helping you prepare and seeing you soon!
Our Concentrations
You have the option to graduate with a traditional liberal arts theatre degree or a professional training degree (comparable to B.F.A. programs at similar institutions) with a concentration.
Acting
Deepen your knowledge and experience by participating in upper-level performance courses, exclusive professional workshops, and exciting theatre productions. Build a strong resume with meaningful credits before graduation to prepare for a successful career in the arts.
Directing
Explore the techniques, theories, and artistry of directing for the stage through advanced coursework, collaborative hands-on production opportunities, and individualized student-directed projects.
Design and Technology
Engage with cutting-edge technology in state-of-the-art facilities with dedicated mentorship from professional theatre artists who will foster your talent and further your expertise in any or several of these areas:
- Scenic Design
- Costume Design
- Lighting Design
- Hair & Makeup Design
- Sound Design
- Projection Design
- Prop Design
- Costume Crafts
- Scene Painting
- Technical Construction
Stage Management
Develop the necessary skills and techniques to become an accomplished stage manager through in-depth training based on current professional standards, leadership positions in mainstage and studio productions, and arts management education.
Musical Theatre (Begins Fall 2021)
Strengthen your status as a triple threat by engaging in acting, applied voice and music analysis, and musical theatre dance training while applying skills in theatre productions. Engage in showcase and master class opportunities. Cultivate a strong and diverse resume before graduation to prepare for a career in musical theatre.
Learn more about the Theatre Arts Department.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFO
Misti Bradford | bradford@uwp.edu | RITA 283
