• <a href="/live/image/gid/6/width/650/99426_theatre.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image99426"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/6/width/500/height/479/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/6/width/500/height/479/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/6/width/500/height/479/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/6/width/720/height/690/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/6/width/720/height/690/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/6/width/720/height/690/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/6/width/720/height/690/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg" alt="Fall 2022 Main Stage Performance of Rent by Jonathan Larson." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/6/width/720/height/690/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/6/width/720/height/690/crop/1/99426_theatre.rev.1688678664.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2133" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Fall 2022 Main Stage Performance of <i>Rent</i> by Jonathan Larson.</div>

Why Choose a Degree in Theatre?

We are a community of artists, scholars, choreographers, designers, technicians, writers, and critics. Fir Acres Theatre hums with activity and creativity from the first morning classes to rehearsals that run late into the evening. From department mainstage productions to dance concerts to student-driven festivals, you will have many opportunities to create performances and put theory into practice.

What You’ll Study

The major is divided into four concentrations: performance, design/tech, literature/history, and dance. We also offer minors in theatre studies and dance. Our majors are required to study all aspects of the theatre, which includes coursework in classic and contemporary dramatic literature, acting, directing, theatre design, and dance. Many students also participate in our growing playwriting program. Our classes and productions are open to all students, regardless of major, and emphasize theatre and dance as an integral part of a liberal arts education. All students have the opportunity to participate in creating professional productions ranging from classics to contemporary pieces to musicals to original student-written works.

Many of our students earn course credit while on an overseas program. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, we encourage our majors to participate in the England: Fine Arts and New York programs. These programs give our students the opportunity to experience more than 30 productions over the course of a semester, as well as the chance to intern with professional companies such as Manhattan Theatre Club, Atlantic Theatre Company, and the Wooster Group, among others.

Outside the classroom, our faculty regularly collaborate with students in their scholarship and creative practice. Students have recently worked with faculty on productions at Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble, and CoHo Theatre, and at the Chekhov Symposium, an event that brought in scholars and artists from all over the country to Lewis & Clark to present research on the works of Anton Chekhov. We also sponsor numerous opportunities for students to engage with professional artists throughout the year.

Curriculum

Complement Your Education With One of These Minors

The most popular minors for our theatre majors are dance, English, and history.


What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark

  • My favorite spot on campus would have to be this amazing sofa in Copeland Hall.

    Ary Hashim BA ’20
    Economics | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    More about Ary
  • Creative writing has always been a source of joy in my life. Both of my majors (theatre and English) are based in stories, so learning how to write a good story will contribute well to the academic disciplines I’m invested in.

    Niels Truman BA ’22
    Theatre and English (double) | Aurora, Oregon
    More about Niels
  • Introduction to Linguistics expanded my knowledge about how a language works, and I love learning how linguists analyze languages. One day I hope to do it myself!

    Juan Martín López Meléndez BA ’23
    World Languages | Theatre | La Piedad, Michoacán, México/Fresno, California/Las Vegas, New Mexico
    More about Juan Martín

What Can You Do With a Degree in Theatre?

Our alumni use their bachelor of arts degree to pursue careers in theatre and many other fields, such as education, law, nonprofit administration, business, and international relations. They also attend prestigious graduate schools, such as Northwestern University and the University of London.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Our theatre faculty are some of the most engaged working artists in the Pacific Northwest. Our faculty are running nationally recognized theatre and dance companies, performing and directing professionally both regionally and in New York City, and publishing in national and international publications. They bring those experiences into the classroom and into opportunities to connect you with internships and professional development opportunities. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Meet the Professors

Invest in Yourself

A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.

Find Your People

Students can join a variety of student-run organizations. The Theatre is an inclusive and welcoming community with many opportunities to get involved. SCIT, PAUSE, The Serious Club are just a few ways to find your people and start making art! Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list? Start something new and build your own community of peers!


Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You

  • I know what I can do for my own students, and I also know how I can advocate for change, largely thanks to the classes I had as an undergrad.

    Haley Wildhirt BA ’22
    Theatre, performance concentration | Longmont, Colorado
    More about Haley
  • My classes, plus my experiences with Campus Living and other student life activities, helped build my resume and develop communication and crisis response skills that have been very important for my job. I’ve also made connections at Lewis & Clark that have helped me find opportunities and continue to guide me in my life choices.

    Malavika Arun BA ’19
    Psychology, Theatre (double) | Palakkad, Kerala, India
    More about Malavika
  • I knew I wanted to continue my theatre education and was presented with the amazing opportunity of Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble’s Institute of Contemporary Performance!

    Zoe Brouwer BA ’22
    Theatre | Corvallis, Montana
    More about Zoe

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