Theatre Curious?
The Theatre Department at the UWM Peck School of the Arts offers credit and non-credit courses.
- Explore the actor’s art.
- Improve your interpersonal and public speaking skills.
- Get “out and about” in Milwaukee.
- Build confidence through Theatre games.
- Exercise the right side of your brain.
- Discover Milwaukee’s Theatre history.
- And if you’re a UWM student, it’s a fun and unique way to earn GER Arts credits!
For Credit Courses - Open to UWM Students only
How to register for classes
How to apply to UWM
Explore Theatre performance
- Featuring active learning and in-class interaction with other students.
- Meet someone new!
100 Introduction to the Theatre. 3 cr. U. (GER ARTS)
An introduction to the theatre as a form of artistic, social and human expression, both from the point-of-view of the audience and the theatre artist. Attendance at live theatrical performances required. Prereq: none.
So your parents wouldn’t allow you to major in theatre? Take this course! Also available online.
Student Reviews
...great class and interesting to non-majors...
...fun and still learned material...
...very well taught...
101 Introduction to the Actor's Art. 3 cr. U. (GER ARTS)
An introduction to the actor's art and craft through lecture, demonstration, exercises, and class assignments. Prereq: Non-Theatre major.
Nurture the actor in you. Choose from 5 sections taught by professional actors!
Student Reviews
...taking this course helped me to open up and try new things!
...this has been by far the best class I have taken at UWM. (The professor) was awesome and the content was creative and educational...
...I love this class!! Fun, energetic, and challenging!!
224 Make Up. 3 cr. U.
Emphasis on materials, effects of light, color and character analysis. Prereq: none.
Develop interpersonal communication abilities!
- Build your communications skills.
- Become more at ease in groups and speaking in front of others.
111 Theatre Games 3 cr. U. (GER ARTS)
An introduction to a wide variety of improvisations and games which are designed to free and channel the self expression of performers and non-performers. Prereq: none.
Taught by Comedy Sportz founder, Dick Chudnow. Learn how to make people laugh.
231 Introduction to Voice and Speech. 3 cr. U. (GER ARTS)
Lectures and exercises designed to begin the development of a more open, resonant, and flexible speaking voice for everyday use. Prereq: none.
Speak with confidence, clarity, and expressiveness by practicing a variety of exercises that lead to a more open, resonant, and flexible speaking voice. Learn the voice and speech "secrets" good actors have used for generations and apply them to your professional and social experiences! Recommended for students of business, law, teaching, public service, and of course, performance. Also helpful to ESL students. Taught by Raeleen McMillion, professional speech coach, actor, and director.
Student Reviews
...fun while learning a lot about voice and speech...
...it was awesome to see everybody’s final work because it came a long way from the first critique...
...instructor took time for each person...
260 Storytelling: (Discovering your Personal Story). 3 cr. U. (GER ARTS)
Develop, explore, and improve your communication skills and have fun in the process. Sharpen your ability to express ideas and stories from a diverse range of cultures and communities - including your own. This course will also help you discover and hone your own story, those of others and further your creative growth. May be retaken with change in topic to max of 3 semesters. Prereq: none, except as required for specific topic.
305 Out and About in Milwaukee. 3 cr. U. (GER ARTS)
Performances, demonstrations, and lectures focusing on specific aspects of theatrical production. Attendance at live theatrical performances required. May be retaken with a change in topic to a maximum of 9 credits. Prereq: none.
Discover the breadth and quality of theatre performances on the local Arts Scene. Taught by Pamela Rehberg, professional costume designer and educator, who has special price access to command performances, theatre professionals and backstage intrigue.
Student Reviews
...course was awesome!... ...got to know theater and Milwaukee better...
...I loved it!
...(Rehberg) is an enthusiastic, passionate teacher! This class was an excellent experience!
311 Advanced Theatre Games and Improvisation. 3 cr. U.
Advanced study in a wide variety of long-form acting improvisations and games designed to free and channel self expression of performers and non-performers. Prereq: Theatre 111(P) or cons instr. Improvisational performance attendance required.
Taught by Comedy Sportz founder, Dick Chudnow - specializing in advanced laughter!
Feed the right side of your brain!
- Develop insight and understanding for life.
102 Introduction to Design and Production for Performance. 3 cr. U. (GER ARTS)
A study of production and performance ideas as they relate to the theatrical environment. Emphasis on production styles and the process of evolving the artistic concepts. Prereq: none. A blended class.
Improve your creative and collaborative communication skills, and sharpen your ability to express ideas in an articulate, creative, and visual way. Examine visual storytelling from multi-cultural and diverse perspectives. Introduce yourself to the design and production aspects of theatrical performance and further your growth as an artist. Taught by professional designer Rick Graham who brings over 35 years experience to the course.
Student Reviews
...the class was open-minded and makes you get in touch with your creative side...
...instructor is very enthusiastic about this course, which made the class exciting...
490 The Milwaukee Theatre Story
Hear stories from founders and early collaborators about Milwaukee’s national reputation as a place where theatre companies have been started, survived, and some have died.
Taught by Richard H Graham, professional scenery and lighting designer who brings over 35 years experience to the course (20 seats available)
Non-Credit Courses – Open to the general public.
Introduction to the Theatre
September 10 - December 10, 2012
Fourteen sessions: 6-9pm
Instructor: Alvaro Saar-Rios
Fee: $140
Location: UWM Mitchell Hall 375
Limited enrollment – sign up today!
Introduction to the theatre as a form of artistic, social and human expression from both the point-of-view of the audience and the theatre artist. Attendance at live theatrical performances required.
Student Reviews
...great class and interesting to non-majors...
...fun and still learned material...
...very well taught...
Alvaro Saar-Rios is a lecturer in the Department of Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
To register, download the registration form. Please fill out and return with payment or call the Peck School of the Arts Box Office at (414) 229-4308.
Introduction to the Actor’s Art
September 10 - December 10, 2012
Fourteen sessions: 6-9pm
Instructor: Jenny Wanasek
Fee: $140
Location: UWM Theatre Building Room 6
Limited enrollment – sign up today!
An introduction to the actor's art and craft through lecture, demonstration, exercises, and class assignments Nurture the actor in you. Taught by professional actors!
Student Reviews
...taking this course helped me to open up and try new things!
...this has been by far the best class I have taken at UWM. (The professor) was awesome, and the content was creative and educational...
...I love this class!! Fun, energetic, and challenging!
Jenny Wanasek is a professional actor and a lecturer in the Department of Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
To register, download the registration form. Please fill out and return with payment or call the Peck School of the Arts Box Office at (414) 229-4308.
Introduction to Voice and Speech
September 10 - December 10, 2012
Fourteen sessions: 6-9pm
Instructor: Raeleen McMillion
Fee: $140
Location: UWM Theatre Building Room 7
Limited enrollment – sign up today!
An introduction to the actor's art and craft through lecture, demonstration, exercises, and class assignments Nurture the actor in you. Taught by professional actors!
Student Reviews
...taking this course helped me to open up and try new things!
...this has been by far the best class I have taken at UWM. (The professor) was awesome, and the content was creative and educational...
...I love this class!! Fun, energetic, and challenging!
Jenny Wanasek is a professional actor and a lecturer in the Department of Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
To register, download the registration form. Please fill out and return with payment or call the Peck School of the Arts Box Office at (414) 229-4308.
Out and About in Milwaukee
September 5 - December 10, 2012
Fifteen sessions: Wednesday 6-10pm
Instructor: Pamela Rehberg
Fee: $200
Location: First meeting in UWM Mainstage Theatre
Limited enrollment – sign up today!
Performances, demonstrations, and lectures focusing on specific aspects of theatrical production. Attendance at live theatrical performances required. Discover the breath and quality of theatre performances on the local Arts Scene.
Student Reviews
...course was awesome!
...got to know theater and Milwaukee better...
...I loved it!
...(Rehberg) is an enthusiastic, passionate teacher! This class was an excellent experience!
Pamela Rehberg is a professional costume designer and educator who has special price access to command performances, theatre professionals and backstage intrigue.
To register, download the registration form. Please fill out and return with payment or call the Peck School of the Arts Box Office at (414) 229-4308.
The Milwaukee Theatre Story
September 10 - December 10, 2012
Fourteen sessions: Monday 6-8:45pm
Instructor: Rick Graham
Fee: $140
Location: UWM Arts Center Lecture Hall 120
Limited enrollment – sign up today!
Hear stories from founders and early collaborators about Milwaukee’s national reputation as a place where theatre companies have been started, survived, and some have died.
Led by Richard H. Graham, professional scenery and lighting designer who brings over 35 years experience to the course, with guests from the theatre community.
To register, download the registration form. Please fill out and return with payment or call the Peck School of the Arts Box Office at (414) 229-4308.
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