University of Louisville

Unleash your potential and fuel your success.

At the University of Louisville, we do more than learn. We create. We ignite. We push. We make impacts that make a difference. Here, we unleash students’ potential to fuel their success while elevating society through our research and innovation. We build connections with our city that lead to transformation across the globe. And we do it all together. Because once a Cardinal, forever a Cardinal. Forever connected to a dynamic community driving needed change. Forever committed to helping a better world take flight. Here and beyond.

Study Theatre Arts 
As part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Theatre Arts Department is committed to a liberal arts education for undergraduate students. The ancient art of theatre is most fully understood and exists at its deepest and most intimate level through the creation of performances shared with an audience. Doing so demands a deep array of knowledge and skill combined with a professional attitude and work ethic that can serve students throughout their lives in whatever profession they choose.

We believe that these goals, abilities, and attitudes should be evident daily in both our classrooms and our rehearsal rooms. Students who internalize this way of thinking and working are prepared extraordinarily well for any goal they pursue in the future.

The Theatre Arts department fosters creativity, collaboration, discipline, and artistic growth in its students and embraces the theatre as a means of creative expression, cultural understanding, social development, and historical perspective.

The Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts is a 60-hour intensive study liberal arts program. With four core areas of study (Theatre History and Literature, Performance, Design and Production, African American Theatre), every student receives a broad base of study in all aspects of Theatre Arts. In addition, students have the opportunity to tailor their studies to specific areas of interest with 15-18 hours of program electives; they also use their class studies in practical application through lab work on Mainstage productions.

In addition, Theatre Arts offers 19-hour program minor options, with the opportunity to focus studies in a specific area, as well as a Minor in African American Theatre. In order to apply for a minor, a student must already have an approved major on record.

Acceptance into the undergraduate program does not require an audition. Upon admission to the university, apply for the major online with the college Academic Advising office. Approval from the college usually comes within 6-8 weeks, followed by a welcome letter from the Theatre Arts department that also will provide more information and the assignment of a Theatre Arts advisor.

Undergraduate work scholarships are available in technical production. Approved majors and minors are eligible to apply after completion of a Stagecraft class. Federal Work-Study positions are also available dependent upon eligibility requirements through the Office of Financial Aid.