Two Peck School of the Arts alumni were chosen for the Milwaukee Business Journal’s annual “40 Under 40” awards, which honors Milwaukee’s brightest young leaders and professionals. Both leveraged their arts education to pursue unique careers. Nathan Zimmerman '13 is the founder and owner of ZimKnives, a business that focuses on …
Theatre Practices, BA BA
You’re not just passionate about theatre. You’re passionate about what theatre can do. With a strong focus on theatre’s diverse practices, our program will empower you to create innovative work on your own terms.
Whether your interest is directing, playwriting, acting, costuming – or maybe all of them – our program allows you the opportunity to explore the scope of theatre rather than focus on one targeted track. Create original works of theatre as a director, designer, actor or performer. Become a teaching artist or use theatre as an activist. Start your own theatre company. Wherever you choose to go, we will teach you the skills you need to turn your passion into a profession through comprehensive training, hands-on experiences and industry connections. Plus, we’re here to support you along the way.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
What it’s like to be a student at Peck School of the Arts
When you study theatre at the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you join a community that is united on a mission to impact the world through our craft. And we really mean that. Our faculty are all working professionals and experienced educators with a deep commitment to supporting the next generation of theatre artists. Our strong ties to Milwaukee’s creative community open doors for you to explore and grow through engaged learning and individualized mentorship. That’s why our students emerge with a strong community, an entrepreneurial spirit and the skills, vision and drive to shape their worlds.
But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself what it is like to be a student here by scheduling a personalized tour and info session.
Program Details
Our BA in Theatre Practices is designed to be personalized to you. We challenge you to create a path to the theatre profession that is authentic to your interests and your goals. And because you’ll learn alongside other creative and passionate students, you have a supportive and inspirational community to support you. Our respectful, ethical and accessible environment means you are allowed to express yourself in significant and meaningful ways.
We know that as artists, we have the potential to dream, imagine and engage the world through our craft. Our faculty teach theatre as a way of exploring and positively affecting society and the people in it.
Our personalized curriculum provides you with a comprehensive education in theatre practices while ensuring you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, effective communication and a knack for collaboration. You’ll take a variety of courses and top it off with an opportunity to showcase your skills in a final capstone project of your choice.
View the Theatre Practices, BA requirements.
Performances
From backstage to center stage, front of house or in front of a classroom, our public performances are a vehicle for training students in every aspect of theatre. They are also a source of high-quality performing arts entertainment for our campus and community. Explore our upcoming performances or take a look at recent productions.
Entrance Auditions/Interviews & Admission
Peck School of the Arts undergraduate and graduate programs may require additional steps to enter. For most dance, music and theatre programs, applicants must first be accepted to UWM, apply to Peck School of the Arts and complete entrance requirements such as an audition and/or interview.
Scholarships & Aid
UW-Milwaukee and Peck School of the Arts offer a diverse financial aid package for students, including Midwest residence savings, scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities and student loans.
Living Learning Communities
Live in campus housing on the same floor or wing as other students in your major or program. The Peck School of the Arts offers three Living Learning Communities where you can be a part of a “community within a community.” You’ll make friends, form study groups and do social activities together. And, best of all, there is no additional cost to be a part of a Living Learning Community.
Internships & Opportunities
Students work and intern professionally with Milwaukee’s professional music organizations, theatre and dance companies, and film festivals, as well as leading art museums, galleries and creative agencies. See where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Alumni Stories in Theatre
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An arts education led to unique careers for two PSOA alums recognized on “40 Under 40” list
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Theatre alum brings ghostly features to life in world premiere productionIn Milwaukee’s recent World Premiere of The Forgotten Girl, production design is more important than ever. Viewers are immersed in the world of the main characters Iris and Daniel as they discover the abandoned grave of a girl in their grade and begin interacting with her ghost. Scenic designer Amaya …
Careers in Theatre
- Actor/Actress
- Agent
- Art Director/Creative Director
- Artistic Director
- Arts Administrator/Box Office Manager
- Arts Council Director
- Camp Director
- Carpentry/Scenic Artistry
- Casting Director
- Choreographer
- Comedian
- Community Arts Organizer
- Conflict/Resolution Facilitator
- Corporate Trainer
- Costume Designer
- Costume Director/Manager
- Crafts Artisan
- Curator
- Dialect Coach
- Director
- Drafter/Designer
- Drama Therapist
- Dramaturg
- Draper/Cutter
- Educator/Education Administrator
- Electrician
- Entertainment Designer/Manager
- Event Planner/Coordinator
- Gaffer/Grip
- Hair/Makeup Designer/Artist
- Intimacy Director/Coordinator
- Life Coach/Motivational Speaker
- Lighting Designer/Director
- Managing Director
- Marketing & Sales
- Master Carpenter
- Milliner
- Model
- Musical Theatre Artist
- Playwright
- Producer
- Production Assistant
- Production Manager
- Project Manager
- Projection Designer
- Properties Artisan/Director
- Rigging Installer
- Scenery Designer
- Scenic Artist/Painter
- Screenwriter
- Set Designer/Decorator
- Singer
- Sound Designer/Engineer
- Sound Technician
- Special Effects Artist
- Stage Director/Manager
- Stage Hand
- Staging Fabricator
- Stunt Double
- Tailor
- Talent Agent/Director
- Technical Director
- Television/Radio Personality
- Theatre Consultant
- Theatre Critic/Journalist/Blogger
- Theatre Equipment Sales
- Trade Show Designer
- Visual Effects Director/Engineer
- Vocal Coach
- Voiceover Artist
- Wardrobe Specialist
- Wigmaker
Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Theatre faculty and staff please follow the link below.
- Teaching Faculty III, Theatre & Stage Management
- Production Manager, Theatre Department
- berlin@uwm.edu
- 414-229-5903
- Art Building 271
- Associate Professor, College of General Studies/Affiliate Faculty Appointment in the PSOA Theatre Department
- deckersj@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8816
- WAK Southview S002
- Teaching Faculty III, Theatre Education & Directing
- Director, K-12 Theatre Education
- Outreach Coordinator, Theatre
- janes@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8209
- Art Building 232
- Professor, Theatre
- Teaching Fellow, Lubar Entrepreneurship Center
- rmello@uwm.edu
- 141-446-9927
- Theatre Building 220
- Associate Professor, Playwriting
- Area Head, Theatre Practices
- riosa@uwm.edu
- Art Building 280
