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The Certificate in Theatre may be completed by any University of Wisconsin–Madison undergraduate student who is not a declared Theatre major. Theatre is a collaborative art form with many varied disciplines and talents working together to create a unified piece of art.

This certificate program offers students the ability to develop knowledge and skills in the theatre discipline. The requirements are designed to be flexible enough for a student to pursue an individual area of interest (for example, in acting, in technical theatre, in costume design, or in or a stage management) or a combination. This flexible program allows students to shape an individualized plan on study in the certificate with an advisor, to support and/or complement studies in their major or field of study.

How to Get in

All current UW-Madison undergraduates are eligible to complete the certificate, with the exception of students completing the Theatre and Drama major.

To declare the certificate, students must meet with the theatre and drama academic advisor to discuss focus paths and to complete the theatre certificate declaration form.

Requirements

The Certificate in Theatre requires a minimum of 16 credits, with at least 8 credits taken in residence. Completion of the certificate requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 in certificate coursework.

Choose two Foundational courses: 6
Experiencing Theatre (THEATRE 100 is a variable Credit Course (2 or 3 credits). If taken for 2 credits, an additional credit must be added from listed certificate courses to meet 16-credit certificate requirement.)
Introduction to Theatre and Dramatic Literature
Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Voice 1: Effective Communication
Acting I: Introduction to Acting
Technical Theatre Fundamentals
Choose one Intermediate course:3
Undergraduate Topics inTheatre and Drama
Collaborative Problem Solving
Intermediate Voice Training
Fundamentals of Acting
Producing Theatre
Fundamentals of Stage Lighting Technology
Fundamentals of Stagecraft
Choose one Hands-On/Practicum course: 11-3
Students may request to take similar courses in other departments to fulfill this requirement.
Backstage Practicum
Performance in Practice
Backstage Laboratory II
Choose two Focus-Specific courses: 6
History of Costume for the Stage
Introduction to African-American Performance
Material Culture for Performance Design
Fundamentals of Movement for the Stage
Acting Realism
Fundamentals of Asian Stage Discipline
Auditioning for Stage and Screen
Introduction to Theatre for Cultural and Social Awareness
Drama for Teaching and Learning
Costume Design I
Makeup for the Theatre
Sewing for the Theatre
Stage Lighting I
Script Analysis
Fundamentals of Directing
Drafting for the Theatre
Sound for Theatre
Set Design I
Introduction to Stage Management
History of Theatres and Staging
Musical Performance for the Actor
Acting Styles
Stage Lighting Design II
Scenic Painting
The Business of the Business
The Business of Acting
The Theatres of China and Japan
Acting Shakespeare
Backstage Laboratory III
Costume Design II
Set Design II
Advanced Concepts in Stage Management
Internship in Theatre
Special Topics in Theatre and Drama
Theories of Acting
Total Credits16

Certificate Completion Requirement

This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate basic proficiency in one or more areas of theatre study.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of basic theatre concepts and methodology.