Frequently Asked Questions
Please click a question to go to the respective answer.
Q: "I like theatre but I don't know if I want to do it professionally. I don't know how talented I am, or if I would like the life, or what it would be like. Should I major in theatre arts?"
A: You should certainly consider it. At Iowa, theatre arts studies prepare you to enter the world as an intelligent, curious, creative human being. Here, the theatre arts major is not a pre-professional program. Instead, like most humanities majors, it is meant to teach you about yourself and your world. Together with your General Education Requirements, it prepares you to enter dozens of professions. So don't worry about coming out of college prepared only for the theatre.
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Q: What professions might I enter with a theatre arts major?
A: The theatre itself, of course, is one. Many of our graduates go on to careers in acting, directing, writing, designing, and producing. Others go into film, television, or other arts. Still others become teachers, sometimes using their theatre arts training in conjunction with their work in literature, history, music, or other disciplines. Theatre is a rich, vigorous, interdisciplinary, liberal arts major that can prepare you to excel in a wide range of other fields as well, especially those that place a premium on innovation, collaboration, and communication. These include law, medicine, business, and journalism. The skills you learn in the theatre are useful wherever you go, for they give you confidence in yourself and help you develop your own personal vision of the world.
Q: I also want the best possible theatre training. Can I get it at Iowa?
A: Yes. Iowa is very unusual. It offers a broad-based, liberal arts education but also has the faculty and resources to give you the kind of in-depth training one usually finds only in conservatory programs. We are dedicated to the education of the whole person, but also offer the opportunity to develop your particular talent.
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Q: How can you do that?
A: We're a part of a large university with enormous resources, but the department is small enough that everyone receives personal attention. Our facilities are also among the finest in the country.
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Q: If I'm already committed to the theatre, would I be better off to go to a conservatory or enter a BFA program?
A: That depends on how you want to educate yourself over the next few years. Conservatories and BFA programs train students to enter the profession directly. In these programs, most of your day will be taken up by rehearsals and theatre arts classes. At Iowa, on the other hand, you'll also spend time on other things—literature, science, languages—subjects we consider important to a well-educated person. You need to consider whether you want this kind of education. We believe that for most students it is the best type of background because it offers young artists a great deal to draw on as they grow older, and ultimately prepares them in a deep way to enter the profession. For some students, however, a BFA/conservatory program is exactly what they want and need.
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Q: How big is the Theatre Arts Department?
A: Currently, there are approximately 240 undergraduate majors and 50 graduate students in the department. Of course, many other students take our classes as well. The department is big enough to have something going on all the time, yet small enough so people really get to know one another.
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Q: What courses will I take?
A: Theatre majors take at least the following courses:
- Acting 1
- A course in design
- Theatre Crafts
- Playscript Analysis
- 3 courses in theatre history and dramatic literature
- 3 production assignments (crew)
- 1 course in playwriting, directing, dramaturgy or senior seminar
- 2 elective upper level theatre courses
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Q: Are other courses open to me?
A: Yes, dozens. There are many acting courses, ten courses in design, numerous playwriting courses, classes in technical theatre arts, and a wide range of courses in dramatic literature. A Complete list of Theatre Courses is available in the University's General Catalog.
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Q: Who teaches them—faculty members or graduate students?
A: Nearly every department course is taught by a faculty member. And the faculty is an exceptional group of people. All are highly experienced professional artists or scholars, and all are dedicated to teaching. They continue to take artistic risks professionally, just as you take them in your studies. So they know how you're feeling. For more information, see our Faculty pages.
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Q: How big are the classes?
A: They're small. One is a large course, but even it has small section meetings; nearly all courses enroll between 12 and 16. You’ll get as much individual attention as you want.
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Q: How many productions are presented each year?
A: About 25. Five of these form a mainstage season and are fully produced. Most of the rest are presented without a lot of technical support. Many are new plays by our students. Faculty, guests, and students direct them.
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Q: May I audition?
A: Yes. And every person who auditions has an equal chance of getting a role. A freshman may play a leading role as well as a graduate student. Sometimes faculty members, guest artists, or local actors appear as well, making for a wonderful mix of actors. No play is pre-cast. More information, including schedules, is available on our Auditions page.
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Q: How are auditions conducted?
A: The department holds four general auditions a year—once during the first week of school for the fall shows, once in November for the winter-spring shows, and twice in March for the Playwrights Festival and for the Iowa Summer Rep. There are also auditions for smaller productions throughout the year. You may audition for any show. We give an audition workshop before the first set of auditions to help you prepare. More information, including schedules, is available on our Auditions page.
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Q: What is the New Play Festival?
A: During the first week of May, the department produces five new plays by graduate students in the Playwrights Workshop, and readings from other graduate writers and undergraduates. Undergraduates are encouraged to participate as actors, assistant directors, designers, and crew members. Guests from professional theatres around the country are invited to comment on the work of the participants. It's an invigorating week for the whole department.
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Q: What is the Iowa Summer Rep?
A: It's another special opportunity. Each summer the department produces three plays in repertory. Almost everyone involved is paid. Casts and crews are drawn from the student body, alumni, faculty, and the profession. Undergraduates are usually involved in all areas.
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Q: Do you produce musicals?
A: In recent years, we have produced a musical every other year. Often our other productions contain music and singing. If you have a particular interest in musical theatre, though, you will find other programs that specialize in it.
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Q: What are the theatres like?
A: We have four. The biggest is a 477-seat proscenium house built in the 1930s. We also have a flexible "black box" theatre that seats 150 - 225, a workshop theatre that seats 144, and a small studio theatre that seats 50. All are equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and sound.
We are committed to the finest in design and tech and our theatres show it. For more information, see our Facilities pages.
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Q: Do you have guest instructors?
A: The list of our guests is a 'who's who" of American theatre. Each year we bring some 20 guests to campus for visits ranging from a week to a semester. Some teach workshops, some speak to the student body, some lead master classes, some direct or design or act. Every student has access to these visitors. Click here for a list of guests who have worked with UI theatre arts students.
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Q: Is financial aid available?
A: The University offers some financial assistance and you should look into that. The department has three scholarships for incoming students. One is for in-state tuition, one is for $1,000, and one, oriented toward African American students, is for $1,500. Once students are enrolled, they may apply for more than a dozen scholarships.Detailed information on Financial Aid is available in the undergraduate section of the University Admissions site.
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Q: How do I get into the department?
A: You simply apply to The University of Iowa. As soon as you want to be a theatre arts major, you tell us and the Registrar's Office, and you become a theatre arts major. You don't have to audition for us. We welcome you.
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Q: How do I get more information?
A: Write to us, or come for a visit. Call the office, set up an appointment with one of the faculty, and we'll show you around. Or just come by. There are always people to talk with you. See our Contact page for more information.
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Q: Can I double major?
A: Yes. About half our majors are also majoring in another subject. A double major offers you a chance to learn about another subject and prepare for a second career; it also takes time and limits the number of elective classes you can take. It’s a good option for some students.
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Q: What else should I know?
A: The University of Iowa is a large, excellent institution. Within it, almost like a school-within-a-school, is the Theatre Arts Department—a small, closely knit community where people work and play together, share a rich social life, and partake in an education that grows out of the love they have for their work. The department is quite a special place, giving a home and identity to creative, imaginative students. We ask you to work hard -and we offer real rewards for your commitment. We hope you'll join us.
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