Explore your interests in theatre arts at Lawrence.


Academic advising at Lawrence seeks to empower each student to craft and pursue a transformative liberal arts experience that prepares them for impactful and personally fulfilling lives. Faculty advisors support students in planning and achieving their educational goals, facilitate connections to campus resources and communities, and guide students to make informed decisions as they pursue their academic interests and aspirations. 

Course Planning for New and Exploring Students

Interested in theatre, but not sure where to start? Any of these courses are all great places to begin exploring your interest:

  • THAR 111: Intro to Theatre: A project-based course that encourages students to explore the variety of artistic capabilities required to create theatre.
  • THAR 135: Stagecraft OR THAR 137: Costume Crafts and Technology: An introduction to the technical aspects of scenic or costume construction.
  • THAR 185: Movement and Text: Examines the interplay of physical movement with verbal and written texts.
  • THAR 187: Acting I: An introduction to the craft of acting.

Theatre-interested students are also encouraged to join a production! Theatre Arts productions audition and recruit stage crew during the first week of each term. Students can contact the Theatre Arts department chair for information on auditions and stage crew positions.

Students with sophomore standing who want to learn to read plays with an eye toward performance, production, and history should also consider the following courses that count toward the Theatre Arts major: 

  • THAR 231: Design and Production: A survey covering all aspects of visual design for the theatre.

  • THAR 327: Playscript Analysis: Provides close reading of texts as a blueprint for performance.
  • THAR 212: Theatre Traditions I: Greeks Through the 18th Century or THAR 224: Theatre Traditions II: Romanticism Through the Present: Each course is a survey of theatre in its cultural context.

Declare a Major/Minor

All students are expected to declare a major before the end of sophomore year. Ideally, sophomore students will declare a major (and switch to an advisor in the major) before advance registration advising begins in spring term.

Major Advising

All students will transition to a major advisor upon declaration. The major advisor will help students plan their coursework to satisfy requirements for the major, select courses in other areas to complement the major or satisfy personal interests, and prepare for their Senior Experience. Prospective theatre arts majors can consult with any of the following theatre arts faculty about serving as a major advisor:

Add a Major Advisor

Need help identifying an advisor in the major? Students can contact advising@lawrence.edu for assistance with advisor matching.

Minor Advising

Students do not need an official advisor for the theatre arts minor. Instead, theatre arts minors are encouraged to consult with the department chair or other theatre arts faculty for advice on course selection and satisfying minor requirements.

Additional Student Resources

If you still have questions about advising support related to the theatre arts program, we invite you to contact the department chair. 

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