Prospective Students
It’s your time to shine
Want to be a part of making innovative, dynamic theatre? You’ve come to the right place.
The Department of Theatre at UNI offers a rich learning environment with many opportunities for students to develop as well-rounded theatre artists.
Together, we strive to engage students, audiences, community members, teachers and guest artists in diverse, innovative and captivating theatre that illuminates the human condition.
Our coursework and productions serve to prepare students for a life in the theatre, and to create a place for theatre in our students’ lives. Ready to join? Apply today!
Theatre Performance
Looking for your starring role? As a theatre performance major at UNI, you’ll get acting roles starting your first year here. Working closely with our industry-recognized faculty, you’ll be trained in a number of acting techniques and approaches, stage combat, improv, character creation, how to audition and much more. Plus, apply your knowledge by taking part in one of our 11 performance opportunities each year!
Theatre Design & Production
From set design to costuming, makeup, sound and lighting – our theatre design and production majors learn every aspect of theatre production – building entire worlds from the ground up. Our amazing facilities boast not only multiple performance spaces, but also a light lab, fully equipped scenic and costume studios, a graphics room, a computer lab, makeup rooms, a greenroom, and a workshop space featuring all of the tools and equipment you’ll need to bring your creative vision to life.
Theatre for Youth and Communities
UNI is one of only a few schools in the country to offer a degree in Theatre for Youth and Communities – making us a top choice for many students around the Midwest, and the nation.
Our graduates go on to successful careers across the country in schools, community playhouses and beyond.
Communication- Theatre Teaching
The communication-theatre teaching major at UNI is the only program of its kind in the state, preparing students to teach communication and theatre (including speech communication, debate and theatre) in grades 5-12. Our graduates go on to teach at the middle and high school level, providing their own students with the opportunity to expand their creative capacities, argue with evidence and conviction, and develop leadership and team-building skills.
What makes our department stand out?
11 performance opportunities each year
From mainstage shows to class performances and club productions – there's an opportunity for everyone to shine at UNI.
4 student-led theatre organizations
Getting involved in a student organization is a great way to make connections with other students, build a network of professionals and to gain additional experiences in producing theatre.
Employment & Internships
Outside of the classroom, our students are encouraged to gain additional experience working on campus in our costume and scenic studios. Plus we'll help connect you to and prepare you for professional internships throughout the year.
Sign up for Scholarship Day!
Each year, the Department of Theatre awards over $45,000 in tuition scholarships to its majors – including nearly $23,000 to first year students. This is on top of the scholarships awarded by the university in general.
To sign up you'll need:
- a resume, including theatre training and production experience
- a current photograph
- high school transcript and test score information
- two signed letters of recommendation
Be our guest – attend a free show!
One great way to get to know the department is to see a production.
All prospective UNI students are eligible for complimentary tickets to our productions. Contact the departmental office and identify yourself as a prospective student in order to arrange tickets for a performance. For a current listing of our shows, visit the TheatreUNI website, linked below.
Lydia Burg - behind-the-scenes Shakespearean adventure
Recent UNI graduate Lydia Burg spent her summer immersed in Shakespeare’s plays at one of the largest Shakespearean festivals in the nation. She’s been working as a crafts artisan and wardrobe technician for the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, which is the second largest Shakespeare festival in the country. Her position is a highly competitive one, often held by those with master's degrees rather than undergraduates fresh out of college.
Hannah Smith - The joys of teaching theatre for youth
Recent graduate Hannah Smith, a Drama and Theatre for Youth major, was selected for a summer internship at The Rose Theater in Omaha. The Waterloo native was thrilled to get the chance to live in a bigger city while pursuing her passion of teaching a new generation the joys of theater.