Student Experience
Hands-on learning, real productions and a creative community – discover what makes Theatre Arts at UofL exceptional.
Theatre Arts Student Life
Theatre Arts students benefit from a dynamic blend of academic and hands-on production work that fills their days from morning to night. Classes run from around 9 am to 5 pm, after which students might head to the Scene Shop to build and paint sets, the Costume Shop to stitch and design costumes or into evening rehearsals for upcoming shows. Everyone is welcome to audition, and every student has the opportunity to assistant design or direct a production with courses like TA 350 offering direct experience in scenery, props, lighting, sound and stage management.
Beyond the shop and stage, students connect at the department welcome events, preview nights, town hall meetings and the end-of-the-year celebration. Through it all, close faculty mentorship and a tight-knit community turn each day's work into a shared creative journey.
Beyond the Classroom
Department & Class Trips
Community Partnerships
Performance Opportunities
Conferences
The Department of Theatre Arts has given me incredible opportunities to grow professionally, including helping me secure positions outside of school. Through their support, I’ve worked with Actors Theatre of Louisville and Kentucky Shakespeare. These experiences have been extremely valuable to me in building my skills, confidence, and connections in the theatre industry.
Study Abroad
Theatre is a global art – and studying it abroad changes how you make it. The department offers a variety of study abroad opportunities for both groups and individuals; in the past, students have traveled as far as Sierra Leone to expand their classroom knowledge into global understanding.
Explore our comprehensive database of language-focused programs around the globe. If you're interested in studying abroad, contact the Office of Education Abroad at edabroad@louisville.edu to set up an appointment. Be sure to include:
- Your major
- When you're interested in studying abroad
- Any destinations you're interested in
Support Services
From Stage to Streaming Success
Ready to turn your commitment to performance, collaboration, and creative vision into professional impact? Explore Theatre Arts at the University of Louisville — home to the first and only accredited African American Theatre MFA program in the nation, where training in live performance launches careers on stage, on screen, in education, and across every industry that needs people who can communicate and connect.