Theatre Arts Minor

The Parkside Theatre Arts Department is a small and special, award-winning program. Recognized by the Wisconsin Board of Regents in 2009 with the Award for Teaching Excellence, we continue to accrue accolades and honors, season after season.

Our high-quality productions rival those of professional theatres. In 2012 we expanded our production labs and added a beautiful new, state-of-the-art “black box” theatre. From classical to contemporary musicals, comedies and dramas, our audiences and students are treated to a rich range of experiences.

The basic objective of the theatre arts minor is to provide a foundation for further study, vocational or avocational, for all interested students. Students get a taste of theatre appreciation by immersing themselves in fundamental courses while gaining a broad knowledge of the art of theatre.

Learn more about the Theatre Arts Department at Parkside.

A University of Wisconsin Parkside Signature Program
Drama Club 
Drama Club promotes the importance of theatre arts within our surrounding communities. Learn more about Student Organizations.

Mentor Program 
We partner successful returning theatre company members with new theatre majors, both traditional freshmen and transfer students, in order to help them have a smooth transition into Parkside, the Theatre Arts Department, and the many academic, artistic, and company expectations of the university and the professional theatre training company.

Professional Theatre Internships 
Many of our students intern, apprentice, or are employed in the professional theatre prior to graduation. We have established invaluable professional theatre partnerships with the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theater, American Players Theatre, the Fireside Theatre, and many other theatres across the nation. Each year professional companies come to Parkside to hold auditions and interviews because of our reputation. 

Professional Theatre Exposure
Each semester we take all of our students to see professional theatre productions in Milwaukee or Chicago and integrate those productions into our courses.
 

Professional Experience While at Parkside 
Students at Parkside are given a direct connection to employment at the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI.


Professional Talent Reviews 
Once a year, Parkside theatre students go through a process called talent reviews. Professional actors, directors, designers, stage managers, and casting directors come to Parkside to conduct a mock interview and give feedback to each student.
 

Regents' Award
Parkside's Theatre Arts Department was awarded the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents' "Teaching Excellence Award for Outstanding Academic Program." We are the only fine arts department in the state to ever win this award.
 

Regional Awards of Merit
In the area of artistic quality, our theatrical productions have received over 100 "Regional Awards of Merit" from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
 

Associations
We are active members of the United Stated Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). Our faculty serve as regional and national board members, respondents, and presenters.
 

Learn more about the awards garnered by our program.

See what our students have to say.

PROGRAM CONTACT INFO

Rachael Swartz | swartzr@uwp.edu

University of Wisconsin System Member
The Higher Learning Commission
Carnegie Foundation Elective Community Engagement Classification
UW Vets - Veterans Education & Transition to Success
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