Undergraduate Programs

As a Theatre major, you can choose a concentration reflective of your passion, interests and goals. Each concentration includes a range of interdisciplinary courses in theatre studies and practice.

Choose any one of the 3 concentrations available to Theatre majors:

• Performance
• Design/Technology
• Theatre Studies

Regardless of the path you choose as a Theatre major, you will gain critical skills and insight to help you succeed.

Things to consider when choosing your area of concentration:

• The required core includes performance, design, production, script analysis, and theatre history courses.
• The senior seminar "capstone" course culminates students' work throughout their undergraduate education to prepare them for show business careers, including audition and interview techniques and portfolio development.
• A double major is possible.
• Study abroad programs are available.

Choosing the Performance, Design and Technology Options

Students committed to performance, production design and technology gain pre-professional training and a solid academic core. They'll be prepared to enter the theatre and film industries or bring their new skills to exciting careers in related disciplines.

Choosing the Theatre Studies Concentration Option

Students interested in a customizable concentration develop individualized or community-based projects within various theatre courses and experiences.

Regardless of your major, a minor in theatre, musical theatre or dance can add value to your degree as well as provide opportunities to express your artistic side. 

Dance Minor

Students interested in dance may select from several studio courses that will enhance their educational experience at UNCW.

Musical Theatre Minor

You don't have to be bound for Broadway to minor in musical theatre. Wilmington has a thriving theatre community, and our students often land parts in area productions.

Theatre Minor

For Theatre minors or general university students, we offer a range of production opportunities and academic and active learning workshops to expand the student's breadth of knowledge.

Students expand their sense of creativity, self-expression and confidence by taking theatre courses.

These transferable skills helps students on any career path, whether they choose a Theatre major, minor, or supplementary course.

All students in Theatre courses will demonstrate the following:

• An understanding of the historical development of theatre in Western culture.
• An understanding of the historical context of playwriting, scenery development, acting conventions, and theatrical architecture.
• The ability to analyze plays in terms of form, structure, content, and stagecraft.
• An understanding of an audience's awareness of how the artistic elements of dramatic literature are integrated in a theatrical performance.
• An understanding of the roles of various theatre artists like playwright, producer, director, stage designer, technical director, production manager, dramaturgy, stage manager, etc.

Students in the Performance Option will demonstrate the following:

• An appreciation and understanding of an actor's ability to create a story, refine character development, define the setting and time for a scene, assess a problem, and find creative solutions.
• An understanding of various performance techniques and styles through class discussion and critical feedback.
• The ability to use a combination of performance techniques in a theatrical production.
• Practical knowledge of the entertainment industry.

Students in the Production Design and Technology Option will demonstrate the following:

• An appreciation and understanding of the role of the set, costume, lighting and sound designers.
• An understanding and appreciation for the technical director, production manager, stage manager, and other applied craftspeople involved in theatrical production.
• Knowledge of the historical development of theatrical design and technology.
• Knowledge of the influence contemporary technology's influence on both production design and technology.
• The ability to contribute to a theatrical production in set, costume, lighting, sound or other areas of theatrical design.

Students in the Customized Option will demonstrate the following:

• The ability to link theoretical and practical elements in dramatic study with a focus on playwriting, directing, or another aspect of theatrical production.
• The ability to research, write, and revise a scholarly paper on some aspect of theatrical production.
• The ability to make an effective oral presentation of such research and writing.