Edgewood University

Edgewood University hosts a vibrant Theatre Arts Department, anchored in the visually striking Stream building, alongside its 120-seat Diane Ballweg Black Box Theatre and outdoor amphitheatre. Accredited by the College of Arts & Sciences, the program combines theory, studio practice, and community engagement, welcoming students from all majors to participate in production, performance, and design roles.

Each academic year, the department presents four mainstage productions—spanning musicals, contemporary dramas, classic comedies, and original student-directed one-acts—open to both theatre majors and non-majors. These productions give students real-world experience in acting, set design, lighting, sound, stage management, and more, under faculty mentorship and visiting Artist workshops.

Classwork emphasizes both creative and technical training. Foundational courses include Introduction to Acting, Theatre Design Elements, Script Analysis, and Directing I. Coursework is complemented by practicum experiences and studio labs in areas like costume, lighting, dramaturgy, and front-of-house operations. Production and academic learning are tightly integrated.

Beyond the classroom, students engage with Theatre Assembly, a student-led organization offering improv, student-directed productions, trips to Chicago theatre and American Players Theatre, and participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). Informal labs and workshops enhance leadership, creativity, and experiential learning.

Edgewood’s proximity to Madison’s rich performing arts scene offers partnerships with professional venues, access to local theatres like Forward Theatre or Children’s Theatre, and learning experiences in an eclectic cultural environment. Faculty include practitioners and scholar-artists who support student growth across performance and production disciplines.