Admission to the University of Evansville Department of Theatre is selective, accepting students who have the academic credentials and creative talent necessary to succeed. With limited freshman admission, students benefit from small class sizes and opportunities to participate in many productions. First-year and transfer students seeking admission to the Department of Theatre must make formal application to the University of Evansville, pay a nominal audition fee, and/or audition and interview with the department faculty. Auditions and interviews determine the student's experience and potential for success in a theatre-related career. Theatre faculty members travel to Florida, Colorado, Kentucky, Texas, New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles to hold auditions and interviews. In addition, several on-campus auditions dates are planned each year. Currently faculty members see approximately 1,500 auditions, receive over 400 applications, and accept approximately 40 first-year students into the department.

Classes in scene study, voice, speech, movement, mask work, script analysis, dance and stage combat prepare performance majors for intensive practical on-stage experiences. Mainstage and studio productions, along with various classroom and student-directed projects, allow actors to further develop and perfect their craft in a variety of hands-on settings. Casting for all productions guarantees students equal consideration for all available roles, regardless of class standing. Acting students also have the opportunity to experience and prepare for the professional audition situation through a series of workshops and mock auditions and interviews.

Design and technology majors take a core curriculum of classes in production techniques, costume construction, make-up, scenic, lighting and costume design. Specialized courses in architecture and costume history, rendering, advanced production techniques and advanced design are also available to accommodate each student's strengths and interests. Production opportunities provide beginning and intermediate students with hands-on experience in lighting, sound, scene painting and construction, costume construction and stage management. Qualified advanced students may serve as technical directors, stage managers, or scenic, lighting, costume and sound designers for main stage and studio productions.

Theatre generalists must be of the highest academic caliber, possess demonstrated talent, and exhibit an interest and proficiency in several areas of theatre. These students may persue a variety of career options including acting, directing, stage management, theatre history, dramatic literature and criticism or dramaturgy. To accommodate their varied interests, generalists are required to explore all theatrical disciplines and tailor their curriculum in such a way that enhances their strengths. Because these students have the option of auditioning or applying for design, management and technical positions as well as choosing the degree program best suiting their needs, they benefit from a well-rounded, yet solid, theatre education.

This major is designed for highly qualified students interested in a career as a leader in the field of arts administration and management. By offering an equal course load between the School of Business Administration and the Department of Theatre, these students become skilled in basic business techniques and obtain strong knowledge of the theatre arts. Theatre management students become involved in every aspect of theatre production and administration in order to effectively understand how a theatre is organized and managed. Hands-on administrative positions are available for productions in promotion, publicity, house management, audience services, fund raising, subscription campaigns and ticket office management

Extremely selective admission requirements and a challenging curriculum provide a unique opportunity for students to acquire the necessary tools to foster strong theatre education programs in our public and private schools. Core classes in the Department of Theatre are combined with courses in the School of Education to create a solid foundation for aspiring secondary school theatre educators. Because students are required to become fully involved in departmental activities, they also benefit from gaining hands-on skills in acting, directing, stage management, technical theatre, design, and promotion. In addition, theatre education majors must complete 24 hours of course work to receive a teaching minor in a discipline of their choice, allowing another area of potential teaching certification.

The Bachelor of Science in Stage Management combines classes in theatre, management, and studies in communications for the student interested in a career in stage management. This curriculum allows the student to develop a broad-based educational program that meets individual desires and abilities while specializing in stage management. This degree allows students to enhance this area of specialization with a closely related program of study through the requirement of an associated study.

Many Evansville theatre graduates have achieved successful and sustained careers in regional theatre, Off-Broadway, Broadway, film and television. These alumni make themselves available for networking opportunities with recent graduates by attending annual alumni gatherings in New York City and Los Angeles.

Theatre students from Evansville do consistently well in auditions, interviews, and applications for top graduate schools around the nation. Currently, alumni attend: New York University, Yale University, American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, Carnegie Mellon University, California Institute of the Arts, Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, National Theatre Conservatory at the Denver Theatre Center, University of California at Irvine, Florida State University, University of California at San Diego, and Juilliard.

In addition, former and current students have completed internships at: Signature Theatre, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., Center Stage in Baltimore, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Williamston Theatre Festival, Roundabout Theatre, Eugene O'Neill Playwrights' Conference, and the Cleveland Playhouse.

"Graduates of the University of Evansville are consistently the best prepared to enter and to succeed in the most demanding MFA programs in the United States." - Ron Van Lieu, Chair, Graduate Acting Program, Yale School of Drama