Theatre
Our goal is to nurture students who will be well read in dramatic literature, understand the social and historical contexts of that literature, appreciate contemporary performance and dance, think critically, and translate this knowledge into compelling artistic choices on stage. As a theatre major, you will also have direct ties to the vibrant theatre scene in Portland, the third most creative city in America!
Why Choose a Degree in Theatre?
We are a community of artists, scholars, choreographers, designers, technicians, writers, and critics. Fir Acres Theatre hums with activity and creativity from the first morning classes to rehearsals that run late into the evening. From department mainstage productions to dance concerts to student-driven festivals, you will have many opportunities to create performances and put theory into practice.
What You’ll Study
The major is divided into three concentrations: performance, design/tech, and literature/history. We also offer minors in theatre studies and dance. Our majors are required to study all aspects of the theatre, which includes coursework in classic and contemporary dramatic literature, acting, directing, theatre design, and dance. Many students also participate in our growing playwriting program. Our classes and productions are open to all students, regardless of major, and emphasize theatre and dance as an integral part of a liberal arts education. All students have the opportunity to participate in creating professional productions ranging from classics to contemporary pieces to musicals to original student-written works.
Many of our students earn course credit while on an overseas program. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, we encourage our majors to participate in the England: Fine Arts and New York programs. These programs give our students the opportunity to experience more than 30 productions over the course of a semester, as well as the chance to intern with professional companies such as Manhattan Theatre Club, Atlantic Theatre Company, and the Wooster Group, among others.
Outside the classroom, our faculty regularly collaborate with students in their scholarship and creative practice. Students have recently worked with faculty on productions at Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble, and CoHo Theatre, and at the Chekhov Symposium, an event that brought in scholars and artists from all over the country to Lewis & Clark to present research on the works of Anton Chekhov. We also sponsor numerous opportunities for students to engage with professional artists throughout the year.
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A late-night audience awaits the opening of Once Upon a Weekend! -
Student designers at work on a Theatre Graphics project -
Susan Davis leads a Contemporary Dance Forms exercise -
Matthew Robins works with students on mainstage scenery installation -
Stephen Weeks and students in acting warmups -
Dance presentation in the new Diane Gregg Memorial Pavilion -
A student cast rehearses for the mainstage production -
Michael Olich leads a design critique in Scenography -
Dancers in our Composition & Improvisation course invade the campus! -
Stepan Simek demonstrates an idea in Acting class -
An audience gathers for our annual One Act Festival
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors
The most popular minors for our theatre majors are dance, English, and history.
What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark
Zoe Brouwer BA ’22More about ZoeRebecca Lingafelter, my professor and mentor, encouraged me to dive into my passion and revealed that a career as an artist is possible for me!
Mack Mae BA ’25More about MackI am a double major. Every moment I am in the theatre, I feel like I am coming home. And what I appreciate about psychology is that I’m constantly learning about things that I didn’t even know I wanted to learn about.
Juan Martín López Meléndez BA ’23More about Juan MartínIntroduction to Linguistics expanded my knowledge about how a language works, and I love learning how linguists analyze languages. One day I hope to do it myself!
What Can You Do With a Degree in Theatre?
Our alumni use their bachelor of arts degree to pursue careers in theatre and many other fields, such as education, law, nonprofit administration, business, and international relations. They also attend prestigious graduate schools, such as Northwestern University and the University of London.
Dedicated Faculty
Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Our theatre faculty are some of the most engaged working artists in the Pacific Northwest. Our faculty are running nationally recognized theatre and dance companies, performing and directing professionally both regionally and in New York City, and publishing in national and international publications. They bring those experiences into the classroom and into opportunities to connect you with internships and professional development opportunities. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.
Invest in Yourself
A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.
Find Your People
Students can join a variety of student-run organizations. The Theatre is an inclusive and welcoming community with many opportunities to get involved. SCIT, PAUSE, The Serious Club are just a few ways to find your people and start making art! Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list? Start something new and build your own community of peers!
Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You
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Zoe Brouwer BA ’22More about Zoe
I knew I wanted to continue my theatre education and was presented with the amazing opportunity of Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble’s Institute of Contemporary Performance!
Liam Beveridge BA ’20More about LiamGetting introduced to theatre and acting was the most important experience that I had in school, and I still use the skills and methods that I was taught in my acting classes.
Theatre Events
Volunteer Night at the Blanchet House
Featured News
Spring ’24 Prison Exchange Class Performance from the Inside-Out
Outside student applications are now closed for the Spring ’24 Inside-Out course.
