our mission

The Department of Theatre educates and prepares undergraduate students for careers in professional and/or educational theatre. We are committed to providing students with a solid general theatre foundation which includes courses in acting, dance, design, directing, dramatic literature, history, stagecraft and theory. In these foundation courses, the fundamental skills and tools are provided which enable students to work in theatre.

As a department in the College of Arts and Sciences, we also provide general education courses designed to foster an aesthetic sensibility and appreciation of theatre as  an art as well as an understanding of the relationship between theatre and the culture and society in which it is created and performed.

We are committed to providing opportunities for students to develop and practice skills learned in the classroom in the laboratory setting of our production program, enabling them to develop as performers, directors, technicians and designers. In addition, theatre organizations such as Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre honorary, and Drop of a Hat Players offer students the chance to gain practical experience. We prepare students who are effective written, oral and visual communicators as evidenced in research papers and class assignments, presentations and performances, and set, costume and lighting designs. We are committed to instilling in students a sense of professionalism, discipline and accountability expected of theatre artists and educators.

past seasons of au theatre