Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
No Audition
No Interview
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING
•Flexible curriculum with road maps in Acting, Comedy Studies, Design, and Directing
•Advanced acting topics include Meisner, Shakespeare, Acting for the Camera, and Clown
•Coursework in script analysis, voice for the actor, theatre movement, and movement styles
•Practical design opportunities as designer or assistant for Gallery, Mainstage, and New Play Festival productions
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•25-30 productions each year including annual New Play Festival
•Eligible to audition for shows starting first semester — readings, workshops, galleries, and mainstage
•Collaborative performances through Performing Arts at Iowa with Music and Dance
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Gene Wilder — actor and filmmaker
•David Adjmi — Tony Award-winning playwright
•Brian Quijada — playwright and performer
•Molly Brown — actor (Dexter: Original Sin)
DEGREE FLEXIBILITY
•BA allows a broad liberal arts education alongside theatre training
•64% of theatre arts students complete a double major
•Only 56 semester hours of theatre count toward 120-hour graduation requirement — room for exploration
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atCommon App
Apply atSchool Website
Deadlines
Early ActionNov 3, 2025
Regular DecisionFeb 2, 2026
Domestic Fee
$55Waiver
International Fee
$80
Good to Know
ENROLLMENT
•Fall enrollment available
•Declare theatre arts major through MyUI or academic advisor
DOUBLE MAJOR OPTIONS
•64% of theatre arts students complete a double major
•Popular combinations: Music and Theatre, Dance and Theatre, English and Theatre
CONTACT
•Department of Theatre Arts: theatre@uiowa.edu
What's The Process
ADMISSION PROCESS
•No audition required for admission to the BA Theatre Arts program
•Students are admitted through standard university admissions, then declare the theatre arts major
•Choose a focus area (acting, comedy studies, design, directing) through course selection
COURSE AUDITIONS
•Advanced Acting courses require departmental auditions held during pre-registration or orientation week
•Audition info included on each course's MyUI entry
Program info updated 4h ago
TRAINING
•Flexible curriculum with road maps in Acting, Comedy Studies, Design, and Directing
•Advanced acting topics include Meisner, Shakespeare, Acting for the Camera, and Clown
•Coursework in script analysis, voice for the actor, theatre movement, and movement styles
•Practical design opportunities as designer or assistant for Gallery, Mainstage, and New Play Festival productions
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
•25-30 productions each year including annual New Play Festival
•Eligible to audition for shows starting first semester — readings, workshops, galleries, and mainstage
•Collaborative performances through Performing Arts at Iowa with Music and Dance
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Gene Wilder — actor and filmmaker
•David Adjmi — Tony Award-winning playwright
•Brian Quijada — playwright and performer
•Molly Brown — actor (Dexter: Original Sin)
DEGREE FLEXIBILITY
•BA allows a broad liberal arts education alongside theatre training
•64% of theatre arts students complete a double major
•Only 56 semester hours of theatre count toward 120-hour graduation requirement — room for exploration
Updated 4h ago
Academic School Information
3.83
Avg GPA (W)
84%
Admit Rate
74%
Grad Rate
22,264
Enrollment
$64,762
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$11,283
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$33,371
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$22,531
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$15,316
Family Income $30k - $48k$15,489
Family Income $48k - $75k$19,930
Family Income $75k - $110k$23,811
Family Income $110k+$26,266
