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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

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Concentration

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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BA Theatre Arts

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Flexible curriculum with road maps in Acting, Comedy Studies, Design, Directing, Dramaturgy, Playwriting, and Stage Management

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 & Productions

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

School Info

Snapshot

3.83

Avg GPA (W)

84%

Admit Rate

school-wide

75%

Grad Rate

22.3K

Enrollment

$65K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$11,971

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$34,247

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$31,845

Before aid

Average Net Price

$22,531

After aid

Cost · financialaid.uiowa.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 22, 6:01 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Flexible curriculum with road maps in Acting, Comedy Studies, Design, Directing, Dramaturgy, Playwriting, and Stage Management

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 & Productions

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

Program Highlights

Training

Flexible curriculum with road maps in Acting, Comedy Studies, Design, Directing, Dramaturgy, Playwriting, and Stage Management

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 & Productions

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

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fees

Domestic Fee

$55

International Fee

$80

Deadline

Early ActionNov 2, 2026

Early Action DocumentsNov 9, 2026

Regular AdmissionFeb 1, 2027

Regular Admission DocumentsFeb 8, 2027

Summer or Fall AcceptanceMay 3, 2027

First Year Admissions · admissions.uiowa.edu

Good to Know

Enrollment

Fall enrollment available

Declare theatre arts major through MyUI or academic advisor

Advanced Acting courses require departmental auditions held during pre-registration or orientation week

Audition info included on each course's MyUI entry

Admission Pathway

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

Transfer Pathway

Iowa publishes a Theatre Arts 2 Plus 2 Transfer Guaranteed Graduation Plan with named community colleges, and its Theatre Arts transfer tips say the BA can be completed in two years after transfer, though three years is easier. No admission audition is required for the Theatre Arts major.

Theatre Arts · admissions.uiowa.edu

What's The Process

Audition 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, dramaturgy, playwriting, or stage management) through course selection

School Info

Snapshot

3.83

Avg GPA (W)

84%

Admit Rate

school-wide

75%

Grad Rate

22.3K

Enrollment

$65K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$11,971

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$34,247

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$31,845

Before aid

Average Net Price

$22,531

After aid

Cost · financialaid.uiowa.edu College Scorecard

Training

Flexible curriculum with road maps in Acting, Comedy Studies, Design, Directing, Dramaturgy, Playwriting, and Stage Management

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 & Productions

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 Aug 22, 6:01 PM