University of Iowa

What you'll study

The programme blends practical studio training with scholarly study of theatre. Core areas typically include acting technique, voice and movement, directing, stagecraft and technical design, scenography, dramaturgy, and play analysis. Students work on a sequence of productions each year, taking roles in performance, design, stage management or direction, and undertake seminars in theatre history, dramatic literature, and theory.

• Practical studios and labs: advanced acting, scene study, movement, voice, rehearsal technique and design studios.
• Production practicum: sustained involvement in departmental productions—students gain professional-level credits in performance, design, stage management or technical roles.
• Theory and history: seminars covering dramatic literature, contemporary theatre practice, dramaturgy and research methods.
• Collaborative projects: interdisciplinary work with designers, directors, playwrights and technicians culminating in a major public project, thesis production or written dissertation depending on the pathway.
• Professional development: workshops in audition technique, portfolio and CAD rendering for designers, teaching pedagogy for those pursuing academic careers, and networking with guest artists.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree. Applicants with undergraduate study in theatre, performance, design or a related discipline are preferred, though applicants from other backgrounds who demonstrate strong potential through their portfolio, audition or writing sample are considered.

• Academic transcript: an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
• Portfolio or audition: acting applicants usually submit an audition; designers and directors submit portfolios; playwrights and scholars submit writing samples. Specific requirements vary by specialism.
• Statement of purpose: a clear articulation of your goals, artistic practice and reasons for pursuing graduate study in drama.
• References: two or three academic or professional references attesting to your experience and readiness for graduate-level work.
• English language: proof of proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English, according to university guidelines.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of careers across the creative and cultural sectors. The practical emphasis and production experience prepare students for professional work in theatre and performance, while the academic components equip graduates for teaching and research roles.

• Professional actor, director, designer or stage manager in regional, national or international theatre
• Playwright, dramaturg or devising practitioner working in new writing and ensemble companies
• Technical director, production manager, set/costume/lighting designer
• Arts administrator, producer or festival programmer
• Secondary or post-secondary theatre educator and community arts facilitator
• Further academic research at doctoral level, for those pursuing scholarly careers

Why study at University of Iowa

The University of Iowa offers concentrated, hands-on training supported by a robust production schedule and professional facilities, including university theatres and performance spaces that host visiting artists and companies. The department emphasises close faculty mentorship, opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, and routes into regional and national networks through guest directors, designers and alumni.

Students benefit from a balance of practice and scholarship in a university known for its strong arts culture, gaining both the practical credits and the critical framework needed for long-term careers in theatre, education and the creative industries.