Dress rehearsal from the Theatre and Drama department

Theatre and Drama at UW-Madison

Theatre and Drama Career Pathways

Production

Facilitate communication across all creative and technical departments; act as a right hand to the director; oversee sets, props, lighting, and sound; and call all technical cues during performances.

Acting

Express ideas and portray characters in theatre, film, television, and other performing arts media by interpreting a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.

Directing

Manage the creative aspects of a production by visualizing the script and guiding the actors and technical crew to capture that vision for the stage/screen.

Stage Management

Coordinate all aspects of a production to ensure smooth operations from rehearsals to performances, managing logistics, communication, and technical elements.

Arts Administration

Facilitate the day-to-day operations of an arts organization including fundraising, community relations, event management, budgeting, and financial management.

Theatrical Tech

Operate and maintain technical equipment and systems used in the field of performing arts and in the entertainment industry.

University of Wisconsin Madison production of Twelfth Night

Top Skills Learned

  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Resilience
  • Adaptability
  • Creative thinking and problem solving

Gain Experience Through

  • Internships
  • Apprenticeships
  • Productions
  • Job shadows
  • Informational interviews
  • UW student organizations

Get Connected

Explore: Theatre and Drama Employers

Check out some of the companies and organizations that hire people on this pathway!

Meet your advising team

Robin Fisher headshot

Robin Fisher

Theatre and Drama
Academic Program Specialist
she/her
robin.fisher@wisc.edu

Jim Stauffer headshot

Jim Stauffer

Theatre and Drama Advisor
and Teaching Faculty
he/him
jim.stauffer@wisc.edu

Lore Bennett headshot

Lore Bennett

Career and Internship Advisor
for Theatre and Drama
they/them
ljbennett2@wisc.edu

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