University of Louisville

The University of Louisville’s Department of Theatre Arts, housed within the College of Arts & Sciences, operates on the guiding mission of “Art in Action”—committed to theatre that is inclusive, socially engaged, thoughtful, and transformative. Combining rigorous academic study with hands‑on performance training, the program nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative discipline in its students.

Students experience a vibrant production calendar in multiple on‑campus venues, including the Thrust Theatre and Studio Theatre complex. Mainstage seasons are supplemented by student-run showcases, guest-artist productions, and the department’s deeply rooted African American Theatre Program (AATP)—the only accredited graduate certificate of its kind in the U.S.

The curriculum is robust, combining core academic coursework in theatre history, dramatic literature, playwriting, and script analysis with studio work in acting, design, technical production, and directing. Elective department courses include genre-specific and culturally focused offerings such as Acting the Black Experience, Cultural Diversity in Performance, and Theatre of the African World—reflecting the department’s emphasis on social awareness in performing arts practice.

Faculty include active professionals and scholars—among them Chair Shona Tucker, a seasoned actor-director with Broadway and film credits—who mentor students through performance labs, internships, and creative research. Students often engage in real-world production environments, internships, or departmental outreach projects that enrich their learning and portfolios.

Graduates emerge with strong theatre portfolios, professional experience, and critical skills that translate into diverse career trajectories—from regional theatre and performance design to arts administration, teaching, and creative industries. Reported career outcomes include usefully transferable communication and leadership skills, with many alumni working in entertainment, education, and nonprofit sectors nationwide