We imagine it. We create it.
In the Department of Theatre Arts, we are constantly producing. We build every production from the ground up, whether we are writing new plays or envisioning brand-new ways to tell beloved stories from the past. Students are at the heart of producing every event, from staging our full-scale mainstage productions to workshopping new plays still being created.
Series, projects, and festivals
Mainstage Productions
Each year, the department produces five productions directed by faculty, guest artists, or third-year graduate students. Fully supported by production and marketing staff, these projects involve collaborative artistic teams of faculty and students. Performances of plays and musicals are presented in the E. C. Mabie Theatre and David Thayer Theatre. The season evolves each year to support undergraduate acting opportunities, graduate thesis work, and challenging experiences for student designers and stage managers while complimenting core pedagogical requirements. The department encourages teams to be completely invested in each project and to recognize that a collective vision is often stronger than a singular perspective.
Gallery Series
The Graduate Gallery Series serves plays written by second-year MFA playwrights that are ready for a workshop production with a limited budget. For the play to be considered, a complete script must be submitted by April 1. Script changes throughout the process are encouraged, and the play may be presented memorized or book-in-hand, depending on the number of revisions required. Gallery productions are normally performed in MacVey Theatre, receive four weeks of rehearsal including the performance week, are assigned a graduate student stage manager, and have access to the costume, scenic, and props shops. They may use the rep light plot and media projection. These projects are directed by advanced undergraduates, graduate directors, or faculty.
Workshop Series
The Undergraduate Workshop Series serves new works that are ready for a first public performance and staging. There will be no design beyond basic furniture, actors’ own dress, and available lighting. Hand props and furniture props may be checked out. Media and projection may be used at the discretion of the Director of Theatre. However, the use of scenery and costume shop inventory is not permitted. These projects rehearse no more than 4 weeks and are usually performed in MacVey Theatre. Workshop Team Leaders should complete the Directing I course at least one semester before the semester in which their play is produced.
Reading Series
The Reading Series projects are intended as public readings of a developing script, with no more than 4 rehearsals, and no technical support. There will be no design beyond chairs, cubes, actors’ own dress, and available lighting. They are typically presented in Room 172.
Special Projects
Each year, we have a handful of special projects. These are opportunities that have come to our department, unique offerings outside of our other series.
Honors Projects are normally presented on one or two days in MacVey Theatre during the week following Spring Break. Projects must be proposed at least one semester in advance. Proposals submitted in April will take precedence. These projects may rehearse no more than 3 weeks, including the performance week.
Iowa New Play Festival
Since the early 1970s, the Department of Theatre Arts has presented an annual festival centered on producing, reading, and discussing new scripts from the Iowa Playwrights Workshop. The week-long Iowa New Play Festival showcases and celebrates the process of new play development through staged readings, workshops, and productions.
Production History
We have a history of producing a high volume of high-quality work every year. Check out the Virtual Lobby, home to our digital programs, to see what we've created since our 2011–2012 season.
Get involved with production
We offer many ways to get involved with productions for majors, non-majors, and community members.
On-stage opportunities
We have many opportunities for you to participate in our productions, even if you are not a Theatre major or a student. We welcome everyone who would like to audition for productions.
Non-performing opportunities
Can’t live without running shows backstage? Got to Stage Manage? Love working in a box office or ushering? There are ~25 productions a year that need this kind of support. Some positions are for academic credit, some are for pay, and others are as a volunteer.
Costume Construction | Stage Management Melissa Turner |
| Costume Design Catherine A Parrott | Scenic Design Jason Simms |
| Lighting & Sound Design Bryon Winn | Box Office & Ushering Katie McClellen |
| Running Shows: Back Stage or in the Booth Samantha Goblirsch-Paradis | |
Over-hire in the shops
At the start of each semester, the scene shop, costume shop, and electrics shop all accept applications for over-hire workers. Contact the shop heads directly for more information.
| Costume Shop Emily Bushá |
| Scene Shop Rob Durham |
| Electric Shop Joshua Nathanson |
Taking theatre into the community
In addition to performing on our stages or working behind the scenes, you'll also have the opportunity to play a vital role for local Iowa audiences of all ages at K-12 schools, libraries, museums, hospitals, community colleges, other performance venues, and workshops to increase exposure to the arts, build social and cultural awareness, and provoke awareness and discussion about a variety of culturally and socially inclusive topics.
The education behind the production
At Iowa, you'll learn-by-doing in an innovative environment where you can develop your unique voice through our comprehensive theatre training, individual attention, and production opportunities. Create your own story in our unsurpassed artistic community, alongside seasoned professionals, and in facilities with state-of-the-art technology designed to support the creation of new work.
Behind the scenes coursework
Where we create
Learn, perform, research, experience, and grow in our three unique theatre spaces, Motion Caption and Virtual Reality (MoCaP/VR) studio, ABW 360 sound and media classroom, acting studio and classrooms, costume and scene shops, and design and lighting labs. See where all the action takes place!