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UW Theatre in London

Interior of one of London's iconic theatre's, with a view from the stage. There are many balconies and viewing areas for the audience.
Street view of Piccadilly Circus lit up at night, along with some of the West-End theatre scene. People are crowding the streets.
Interior of the Warner Brothers Studio tour of the Harry Potter movie franchise. The room is set as a scene from one of the movies.
A 17th centure style home in Stratford. The home is surrounded by various greenery and looks to be tucked away from other residential areas.
A performer is on stage doing a play at Shakespere's globe. There is a large crowd around them that is cheering for the actor.
The exterior of Shakespere's globe on a sunny day in London. The globe mimics 17th century London architecture.
View of Big Ben and Parliament from the Thames riverbank. It is a bright and clear day.

England, London

Offered through IES Abroad, the UW Theatre in London program is UW signature program.  You will be working closely with both IAP and IES on this program.

British theatre is one of the most impactful traditions of theatre making and training globally. By studying in England, you will take theatre from the page to a live, immersive, and realized experience. You will experience, examine and engage with a wide variety of historical, modern, and contemporary British theatre. You will analyze productions and the social and cultural contexts through which they occur and explore the relationship and influence of contemporary and historical dramatic forms and practices.

 

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Preference is given to students in the School of Education (all majors).  Further preference is given to students with a declared Theatre and Drama major.  Preference may be given to students with a declared Theatre certificate.
  • First-Year students must have 2 semesters completed by the time of participation (the preceding Fall and Spring semesters). 
  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Theatre & Drama

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Residence Hall

Program Duration

Summer

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 - [Canceled] 1/2/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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You will engage in class discussions and readings about British theatre, and experience the culture, practice, methods, and results firsthand by attending a variety of productions abroad. This class allows for the 360 degree experience.  The course will be led by theatre practitioners and gives a different lens through which to appreciate and articulate the mechanics of the art form.

This course will be broken into two components 

• 2 weeks online (May 10-21, 2027)
• 2 weeks in London (May 26 - June 10, 2027)
**these dates are tentative, do not make travel plans until instructed to do so

The online component will provide a foundation for the learning activities in England.

Once you are on-site, this program takes advantage of the rich theatre culture and traditions of Britain, by including the viewing of a variety of theatre productions. Viewing these productions is the primary activity of the program and will be supported by lectures provided by both program leaders and local guest lectures.

• See shows at a variety of venues:  Royal Shakespeare Company, Pub Theatre, the West End, Fringe playhouses, the National Theater, and the Globe are among the possibilities
• Tour famous theatres like The Drury Lane, the National Theatre, and the Old Globe
• Tour Stratford Upon Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare
• Visit world famous museums and monuments
• Go behind the scenes at Warner Bros. Studios and visit The Making of Harry Potter
• Experience the rich and diverse London culture. Explore diverse neighborhoods, take in an Afternoon Tea, and visit world renown Marketplaces.
*shows, tours, and events will change depending on availability

You will receive 3 credits upon completion of the program. You can choose from THEATRE AND DRAMA 595 or ANTHROPOLOGY 455.

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents