Theatre - Lewis & Clark

Theatre - Lewis & Clark
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Theatre
 

Academics
Theatre
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!
Majors
Art (Studio)
Art History
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Classics
Computer Science
Computer Science and Mathematics
Data Science
Economics
Environmental Studies
French Studies
German Studies
Hispanic Studies
History
International Affairs
Mathematics
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Rhetoric and Media Studies
Sociology and Anthropology
Student-Designed Major
Theatre
World Languages
Minors
Art and Art History
Artificial Intelligence
Asian Studies
Chemistry
Chinese
Classics
Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Dance
Data Science
Earth System Science
Economics
Education
Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation
Environmental Studies
Ethnic Studies
French Studies
Gender Studies
German Studies
Health Studies
Hispanic Studies
History
Japanese
Latin American and Latino Studies
Law and Policy
Mathematics
Middle East and North African Studies
Music
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Political Economy
Political Science
Religious Studies
Rhetoric and Media Studies
Russian
Theatre
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.
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What You’ll Study
The major is divided into four concentrations: performance, design/tech, dance, and arts for community. 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.
Curriculum
Up Next
April 23, 7:30pm
2026 Theatre Thesis Festival
April 22 - April 25
More Info
Connect With Lewis & Clark!
After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself.
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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
Theatre Department in Action!
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors
The most popular minors for our theatre majors are
dance
, and
history
What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark
There’s never a dull moment in the theatre department. I love how much hands-on creation and experimentation we get to do. In sociology and anthropology, I’ve stayed curious and invested because the major has given me a lens to explore diverse human experiences in ways I never expected.
Nina Low BA ’27
Sociology and Anthropology, Theatre (double) | Bay Area, California
More about Nina
I 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.
Mack Mae BA ’25
Theatre (Performance Concentration) and Psychology (double) | Ogden, Utah
More about Mack
I want to be a sports broadcaster, however, this is just one of many interests being a Rhetoric and media major can bring out—from digital marketing to government and business.
Taj-Jamaal “TJ” Muhammad BA ’26
Rhetoric and Media Studies | English, Theatre | Inglewood, California
More about Taj-Jamaal
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.
Meet the Professors
Living in the third most creative city in America means that our students have access to a vibrant artistic community right at their doorstep.
Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair
Rebecca Lingafelter
More about Rebecca
No matter where our graduates go, their theatre training and their education serve them well. Their skills of collaboration, creativity, reliability, and determination that “the show must go on” make them exceptional human beings.
Professor of Theatre
Štĕpán Šimek
More about Štĕpán
47
U.S. states represented in our undergraduate student body
Top
For the seventh time in 11 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a
Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution
for 2023–24.
125
of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids.
4-5-6
Lewis & Clark’s
4-5-6 Commitment
can help you make the most of your future.
2,139
As of fall 2024, there are 2,139 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College.
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
My classes, plus my experiences with Campus Living and other student life activities, helped build my resume and develop communication and crisis response skills that have been very important for my job. I’ve also made connections at Lewis & Clark that have helped me find opportunities and continue to guide me in my life choices.
Malavika Arun BA ’19
Psychology, Theatre (double) | Palakkad, Kerala, India
More about Malavika
L&C laid the groundwork of my acting training, and introduced me to the theatre community in Portland. I used that training o prepare myself for grad school auditions, and I’m now at Yale School of Drama.
Liam Beveridge BA ’20
Theatre and Computer Science (double) | Seattle, Washington
More about Liam
I really hope to move forward and experiment, specifically with music and movement in live performance, and one day be in a company that will help produce original work, welcome artists of all disciplines, and support artists’ dreams to come true.
Ezri Reyes BA ’22
Theatre (performance) | San Jose, California
More about Ezri
Theatre Events
April 23
2026 Theatre Thesis Festival
April 22 - April 25
April 24
2026 Theatre Thesis Festival
April 22 - April 25
April 25
2026 Theatre Thesis Festival
April 22 - April 25
Featured News
The Crucible: A Student-Produced Production
April 3rd at 8pm
April 4th at 3pm
April 4th at 8pm
Read the story
More News and Events →
Štĕpán Šimek
Professor of Theatre and Department Chair
simek@lclark.edu
503-768-7494
Fir Acres Theatre
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