All majors take core courses that introduce theatre as an artistic form of collaboration and that focus on specific areas of interest, including acting, construction, design, and technology. Advanced core courses include a three-term theatre history sequence, a seminar in the third year to begin charting post-graduation and career opportunities, and a capstone chosen from one of four options: devising, dramaturgy, play direction, or playwriting. Advanced students also take other upper-division elective courses in varied topics to enhance skills and deepen critical perspectives.
Theatre Arts Course List
When planning for the academic year, students may access the current Theatre Arts Course List:
File Theatre Arts Course List 2025-2026Course lists and schedules are subject to change, but any updates will be re-posted as available.
Theatre Arts Skills and Coursework
Many theatre arts courses teach skills that span a variety of disciplines, including:
Physics and Engineering
- Lighting design
- Technical production
- Projections design
- Sound design
- Scenic design and painting
Practical Skills
- Project management
- Carpentry
- Painting
- Drafting
- Sewing techniques
- Millinery
- Public speaking
Cultural Perspectives
- African American theatre
- Arab-American theatre
- Latinx theatre
- Middle Eastern theatre
- Native theatre
The University of Oregon course catalog offers degree plans and a complete list of courses in the Department of Theatre Arts. The Undergraduate Student Handbook includes course details for majors and minors as well as FAQs about production opportunities in the University Theatre season.
Featured Courses
Personal Game, 2021
TA 212 Theatre Production II
Instructor: Jeanette deJong
Introduction to costumes and makeup. Costume construction includes basic hand and machine sewing techniques. Beginning makeup covers ingenue, beards, wounds, and fantasy. Includes laboratory.
Twelfth Night, 2023
TA 367 History of the Theatre I
Instructor: Michael Najjar
Development of the theater from its origins to the present. Emphasizes the history of dramatic literature, criticism, theatre architecture, design, and performance.
New Voices, 2012
TA 441 Scene Design: Single Set
Instructor: Jerry Hooker
Elements of scene design; the scene designer's role. Creating a ground plan, measured perspective techniques, elevations, design styles. Design process and procedures related to the proscenium stage only.