Theatre has been an essential part of human culture for millennia. This vital art form allows you to explore other worlds, eras, communities, and characters while helping you broaden your horizons and think outside the box.
Theatre is a sophisticated expression of a basic human need — one might call it an instinct — to mimic, to project stories onto ourselves and others, and to create meaning through narrative and metaphor.
Howard Schalwitz
Do you like learning new things and ways of thinking? Do you like to create sets or characters and watch them come to life? Are you interested in becoming a better public speaker, communicator, and problem solver? No matter what your career goals may be, studying theatre can help you develop your personal and professional skills. If you dream of working in the professional theatre, acting in front of the camera, working behind the scenes, and developing the confidence and “soft skills” that employers find so attractive, Lane’s Theatre program is for you. We offers a wide range of classes and production opportunities that will help you discover, hone, and develop your skills and prepare you for the next step.
When you’re ready to get started, just apply! Our Admissions office staff will guide you through the steps to enroll to get you started right. You can also contact Admissions with any questions you have about the college, to schedule a tour of the campus, or just to say hello. If you’re not ready to apply today, you can request more information on the program and we’ll get in touch to make a plan that works for you.
In small classes with experienced, professional theatre artists as your teachers, you will:
- learn the art and business of contemporary theatre, including playwriting, theatre history, and contemporary production practices
- learn realistic and stylized acting methods while developing your voice for stage and camera
- learn audition techniques and strategies
- learn scene analysis, improv techniques, character analysis and voice technique
- receive personal coaching on contemporary approaches to performing Shakespeare
- learn stagecraft, set design, lighting, sound, stage management and crew work
- learn stage makeup techniques as well as basic sewing, costume rendering and design
- analyze scripts and read plays from the classics to contemporaries
View Theatre Program course descriptions
Productions are the logical culmination of course work, and we strongly encourage you to audition for shows! Our theatre program produces several shows a year, and casting policy puts students first and often includes guest artists and performers from the greater Lane community and beyond. Lane has earned a reputation for producing some of the best shows in the area.
The Student Production Association (SPA) offers you the opportunity to actively participate in all aspects of producing a full season of productions! From well known works to student written plays and independent film opportunities, you’ll have the chance to broaden and flex your creative muscles. Faculty have strong connections with the community, often recommending students to area performances and providing you an opportunity to participate in productions in the community (you may even have the chance to receive college credit for your work)!
Theatre transfer students are highly desirable at four-year colleges and universities. Our transfer agreement with the University of Oregon ensures an easy transition and our membership in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival allows you to get to know other students and faculty from other programs before you decide what your next step will be. Our students frequently transfer to conservatories across the country or embark on other professions while applying their training to their active lives as theatre practitioners in non-professional performance opportunities.
Just want to take a few theatre classes for fun or professional and personal development? Many degrees at Lane require at least one “arts and letters” course, and theatre courses are a great way to meet that requirement! Theatre classes can help lay the foundation for many careers, giving you the confidence and communication skills to stand out in any room.
No matter what your plan, our advisors will help you craft a plan to achieve your goals. Not sure what’s next? Every student is different, so no matter what your goals are, you should talk with an advisor to craft a plan tailored to your needs.
The faculty and advisors for the program can help you meet your career goals. They can answer any program specific questions you might have, and help you find opportunities outside of the classroom. Advisors will help you schedule your classes and plan for the future. You’ll work with them to create a term by term planner that meets your needs and goals to ensure you complete your degree. And if you’re planning on transferring to a four-year school they can help you take the classes you need to count towards your bachelor's degree.
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Throughout the year, you’ll have many opportunities to perform in our beautiful main Theatre, the Ragazzino Performance Hall. Down the hall, our Blue Door Theatre provides an intimate performance space for students to explore theatre and dance performances. These performance spaces also give student designers and technicians the opportunities to work with state of the art equipment in professional-level spaces!
Interested in learning about other areas of the performing arts? Lane offers exemplary Music and Dance programs that can augment your learning in the Theatre program.
Lane’s Theatre Program offers numerous scholarships and are awarded for one term or a year! Interested in learning more about our theatre scholarships available? Contact Brian Haimbach!
Lane’s main campus is tucked into the foothills of the Oregon Cascades, providing a stunning landscape for your education. With incredible resources on campus like advising, tutoring services, the library, First Year Experience and so many more, you have the opportunity to make the most out of your degree. Lane also offers student housing at Titan Court in downtown Eugene, next to our Mary Spilde Center. Ready to learn more? Schedule a campus tour to explore our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.