Theatre Arts | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

cast on stage during the Iowa performance of Men On Boats

We imagine it. We create it.

Tell a brand-new story while building a professional theatre resume as you bring fresh perspectives and never-before-seen plays to the stage.

Now playing Virtual Lobby Audition Information

Why Iowa?

We're known for producing original work—created by students, guided by professors, and performed in state-of-the-art spaces. You'll get the hands-on experience and training you need for success.

Study Here

undergraduate actors dressed in angel costumes and sitting behind a brick wall, from the play Smile Medicine

Build a foundation

All experience levels are welcome—you don't need to audition to join our major. Wherever you are in your theatre arts journey, our professors will help you discover your spark, deepen your knowledge, and develop your career.

Build a foundation

Theatre Arts MFA and undergraduate actors on stage in The Children's Hour

Expand your horizons

Immerse yourself in theatre in a progressive, arts-focused community. Study with nationally respected faculty mentors. Collaborate across boundaries to create, develop, and present new works. Assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and internships are available.

Expand your horizons

Professor Loyce Arthur instructing a student in the Theatre costume shop

Learn from experts

Our faculty and staff are artists and scholars dedicated to teaching, creative production, and research. All faculty members serve as mentors and advisors on student productions, readings, and workshops. They are accessible, supportive, and committed to their students.

Learn from experts

Why Iowa?

Why study Theatre at Iowa? Undergrad Theatre Arts major Sara Alvidrez says, "At Iowa, I truly feel like we’re all creators, bringing the stories and places we imagine to life on the stage." Watch the video to hear Sara's story as a thriving student in Performing Arts at Iowa.

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Student performances & events

Iowa Theatre students have the opportunity to participate in 25-30 diverse productions each academic year--from classic to brand-new works, and from fully-staged productions on a big stage to workshops and readings in intimate settings. You'll be able to share your growing artistry with receptive, warm audiences in a variety of settings!

Now playing...

Mainstage Production

How to Defend Yourself

Friday, February 6, 2026 8:00pm

Theatre Building

In the immediate aftermath of an assault, a group of college students gather for a DIY self-defense class. This setting quickly becomes a space for channeling their anger, anxiety, trauma, confusion, and desire. In navigating these feelings, the group of strangers unites as a community and works to move forward together. Using humor and candor, Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself asks us to look beyond the labels of 'perpetrator' and 'survivor,' and to examine the complexities that abide in each of us.

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Graduate Gallery Series

Stained Glass

Friday, January 30, 2026 8:00pm

Theatre Building

By Randy Jackson-Alvarenga

Part of Theatre Arts' Gallery Series

Tickets:
Tickets for workshops and galleries are free of charge; however, you must obtain a ticket at the door and seating is limited.

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Undergrad Workshop Series

Love Pentagram

Friday, February 27, 2026 8:00pm

Theatre Building

By MK Shultz

Part of Theatre Arts' Workshop Series

Tickets:
Tickets for workshops and galleries are free of charge; however, you must obtain a ticket at the door and seating is limited.

View more events

Enter our Virtual Lobby

Visit our Virtual Lobby to view online playbills for the 2023-24 season and recent productions!

Virtual Lobby is where you can find play synopses; cast, crew, and creative team member lists and bios; and notes from directors and dramaturgs.

See yourself here

As a Theatre Arts student, you'll be part of a welcoming and supportive community that is constantly producing. Be a part of building every production from ground up.

production opportunities

64 %

Theatre Arts students with a double major

explore alumni success

undergraduate student Virginia Muturi on the stage during a performance of Something Rotten!

25-30

Student-led productions of original work each year

explore productions

Faculty member Eric Stone instructs an undergraduate student wearing an Iowa Hawkeyes T-shirt, in his scenery design classroom

2:1

Student-to-faculty ratio in MFA program

Explore graduate programs

sound design MFA student at the soundboard

Choose Your Path

You'll help to create, develop, and present brand-new plays—and learn the creative, technical, and interpersonal skills you'll need for professional success in theatre.

Apply

Cheta Igbokwe sitting on a park bench outside the UI Theatre Building, with a tree in the background displaying golden fall colors

“The workshop gives you the opportunity to have people gather, hear your work, and give you the feedback you need. I’ve met a lot of talented writers."

-Sixtus Chetachi "Cheta" Igbokwe, Playwriting MFA Program

Read Cheta's story

Study with nationally respected faculty mentors. Join a successful alumni network.

Faculty

Our professors are active and well-connected in the professional theatre world. You'll get to job-shadow working theatre professionals and intern at theatre companies, and Iowa alumni form a supportive network of professional contacts.

Alumni

Iowa playwrights have worked on and off Broadway and in TV and film. They have won MacArthur Genuis Awards, Obie Awards, Emmy Awards, have been nominated for Tony Awards, and have written Oscar-nominated films.

Ann Kreitman, MFA Directing student, during rehearsal for The Children's Hour in Mabie Theatre

“I really see my work in the theater as bringing the archives to life. Theater gives you the opportunity to spend time in the room with manifestations of these people. The historians can tell you exactly what happened. I can tell you how it felt to be there and we can share that together in a room.”

- Ann Kreitman, MFA Directing Program

Read Ann's Story