Theatre majors quickly become involved in classes and productions. All University of Iowa students are welcome to audition for the many roles available in plays.

In Iowa's Department of Theatre Arts, the focus is on the art of the stage—acting, directing, design, playwriting, and technical theatre. With 25–30 productions staged annually, Iowa’s theatre department produces more work in one year than some do in five.

The department is committed to new plays and is one of the best-known centers for the development of new works. It also is home to the Iowa Playwrights Workshop, one of the finest graduate playwriting programs in America.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in theatre arts includes courses in acting, theatre technology, performance analysis, history of theatre and drama, design, dramatic literature, and production. It is based on the philosophy that the best way to develop future artists is to expose them to rigorous professional practice within the framework of a liberal arts and sciences education.