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: Cabaret • The 39 Steps
Barnett Theatre Auditions: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Callbacks: Sunday, October 18 — Dance Call (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) and Show-Specific Callbacks (3 p.m. – 4 p.m. 39 Steps, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Cabaret)
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 a UW–Whitewater student to audition.
About the Unified Audition
This single audition process will be used to cast both Spring 2027 shows. All roles are cast without regard to conventional gender norms. Singing and movement are part of Cabaret.
PLEASE NOTE: All admitted BFA Performance students and all pre-BFA Performance students are expected to audition for all productions and perform as cast. Non-participation in a department mainstage audition and refusal to accept a role if cast constitutes a breach of the BFA degree track expectations and may damage and/or prevent progress toward achieving the BFA Performance degree. Please refer questions about this policy to Prof. Eric Appleton (Chair) or Prof. Robyn Accetta (Head of Acting).
Production Details and Character Breakdowns
Cabaret
Book: Joe Masteroff | Music: John Kander | Lyrics: Fred Ebb | Directed by: Bruce Cohen
Musical Director/Conductor: Dr. Robert Gehrenbeck | Choreographer: Piper Hayes
Rehearsal Dates:
January 18, 2027 – February 24, 2027
Rehearsal Times:
Monday – Friday, January 18 – January 22: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Mondays – Friday beginning January 25: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Performance Dates:
Thursday, February 25 at 10 a.m. (Student Matinee)
Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 27 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 28 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m.
Strike:
Friday, March 5: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Shop Hours)
Show Description:
Berlin, 1929. As the Weimar Republic begins to unravel, the Kit Kat Club offers a world of music, laughter, and escape while political extremism steadily transforms the city beyond its doors. Through the lives of performers, artists, lovers, and ordinary citizens, Cabaret explores love, identity, complicity, and the choices people make during times of profound social change. Inspired by the 1998 Sam Mendes revival, this production emphasizes strong acting, dynamic movement, bold ensemble storytelling, and musical performance.
Content Advisory:
Cabaret contains mature language and themes, sexuality and intimacy, antisemitism, homophobia, political extremism, violence, and references to substance use. Established intimacy and safety practices will be incorporated throughout rehearsals.
Character Breakdown
Principal Roles
- The Emcee – Charismatic, seductive, and unsettling master of ceremonies. Strong actor, singer, and mover.
- Sally Bowles – English cabaret singer; magnetic, impulsive, and emotionally complex. Strong singer, actor, and mover.
- Clifford Bradshaw – American writer whose Berlin experience becomes a political awakening. Strong actor and singer.
- Fraulein Schneider – Boarding house owner; practical, resilient, and quietly romantic. Strong actor and singer.
- Herr Schultz – Jewish fruit merchant; warm, optimistic, and compassionate. Strong actor and singer.
- Ernst Ludwig – Charming German whose political loyalties become increasingly apparent. Sings.
- Fraulein Kost – Outspoken boarding house resident and nightclub worker. Sings.
- Max – Sophisticated patron of the Kit Kat Club. Sings.
Featured Kit Kat Performers
- Bobby
- Victor
- Frenchie
- Helga
- Lulu
- Rosie
- Texas
Featured Kit Kat performers are part of the ensemble and should possess strong singing, movement, and ensemble acting skills and will portray multiple characters throughout the production.
The ensemble is the heart of the production, portraying Kit Kat Club performers while transforming into patrons, sailors, waiters, boarding house residents, workers, party guests, and citizens of Berlin. Strong acting ability is essential. Singing and movement experience are encouraged, though performers of varied backgrounds are welcome.
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The 39 Steps
Adapted by: Patrick Barlow, from the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock | Directed by: Robyn Accetta
Rehearsal Dates:
March 1, 2027 – April 7, 2027
*NOTE: Actors cast in The 39 Steps will be required to attend the Pig Iron Workshop Weekend December 4, 5 and 6, 2026.
Rehearsal Times:
Mondays – Fridays: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Performance Dates:
Thursday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 11 at 2 p.m.
Strike:
Monday, April 12: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Shop Hours)
About the Show:
Set in London, Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands in 1935, The 39 Steps follows the ordinary, and unsuspecting, Richard Hannay as he is swept into a dangerous international conspiracy. Pursued across Britain by police, spies, and a mysterious organization known only as “The 39 Steps,” Hannay must clear his name and uncover the truth, all while finding a little romance along the way.
Performed by an ensemble of 4, portraying more than 150 characters, the play transforms Alfred Hitchcock’s classic suspense story into a fast-paced celebration of theatrical invention. Through physical comedy, rapid character changes, imaginative staging, and ensemble work, The 39 Steps creates train chases, plane crashes, narrow escapes, and cinematic spectacle.
Character Breakdown:
*NOTE: All performers must be collaborative, physically engaged, and comfortable working at a fast pace. The designations Clown One and Clown Two do not indicate traditional circus clowns.
- Richard Hannay (male presenting) - A handsome, well-mannered Canadian living in London who finds himself unexpectedly caught in a dangerous international conspiracy. Unlike the other tracks, Hannay remains one character throughout the play and serves as the audience’s anchor amid the escalating theatrical chaos. The actor must be able to play the reality and stakes of the story while also possessing strong comic instincts. This role requires considerable stamina, physical comedy, and the ability to maintain clarity and momentum through nearly continuous stage time.
- Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret (female presenting) - Actor portrays three distinct women and must create clear physical, vocal, and emotional distinctions among the characters while moving confidently between heightened comedy, suspense, and genuine human connection. Annabella Schmidt is a mysterious and sophisticated international spy who draws Hannay into the conspiracy. Pamela is intelligent, independent, skeptical, and more than capable of challenging Hannay. Initially convinced that he is a dangerous criminal, she becomes his unwilling traveling companion and eventual romantic counterpart. Margaret is the lonely young wife of a stern Scottish crofter. Warm and observant, she offers Hannay compassion at a moment when he desperately needs it.
- Clown One (any gender)
- Clown Two (any gender) - The Clowns are a comic duo responsible for creating nearly the entire world surrounding Hannay. They collectively portray numerous characters across age, gender, status, nationality, and temperament, and sometimes several within the same scene. These roles demand exceptional comic timing, vocal and physical versatility, precision, generosity, and an appetite for transformation. The performers must be able to make bold choices. Strong ensemble instincts are essential. Experience with physical theatre, clowning, mime, improvisation, dialects, stage combat, or devised work may be useful, but is not required.
*A Note About Dialects
Dialect work is an essential part of the storytelling in The 39 Steps. The play moves rapidly across Britain and features characters from a wide range of geographical, cultural, and social backgrounds. Performers will be asked to explore multiple dialects. Previous dialect training is not required. Dialect coaching and resources will be provided during the rehearsal process.
Audition Requirements (applies to both shows)
Saturday, October 17 — Initial Auditions
- 5-minute slot per performer
- Present either:
- Two contrasting monologues (≤3 minutes total) OR
- One monologue and 16–32 bars of a song
- If singing:
- Marked sheet music preferred (accompanist provided)
- Backing track allowed (please bring your own playback device)
- Musical auditions will be scheduled in a block for efficient pianist use
Sunday, October 18 — Dance Call and Callbacks
- Morning: Dance Call (Cabaret — will consist of choreography done to one of the songs from the show)
- Afternoon: Show-specific callbacks
- 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Hicklin Theatre, 39 Steps
- 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Barnett Theatre, Cabaret
Sign-Up
Reserve your audition slot online. Upload a resume and headshot (clear shoulders-up photo acceptable). Arrive five minutes early. Walk-ups accepted as time allows.
Questions
- Cabaret: Bruce Cohen — cohenb@uww.edu
- The 39 Steps: Robyn Accetta — accettar@uww.edu
Scripts:
Available in the Theatre/Dance Department office.