The UAA Theatre program offers a well-rounded liberal arts approach in its curriculum, with courses covering all the basic areas of theatrical endeavor, including acting, directing, stagecraft, scene design, lighting, costuming, makeup, dramatic literature, theatre history, dramatic theory and criticism, and playwriting.

Production is at the very center of our award-winning theatre program. Each season UAA theatre produces four plays on its convertible thrust Mainstage, and many one act or full-length plays in the student directed second stage program.

The plays are cast at open auditions and more than 100 majors, non-majors, and members of the community are involved in our season each year.

The Dance Program at the University of Alaska Anchorage began in 1971 under the auspices of Anchorage Community College (ACC) with two ballet classes. Within a few years, many forms of dance technique were added to the dance curriculum.

In 1985, the Program began its guest artist residencies sponsoring Nina Wiener and Dancers in conjunction with the Anchorage Concert Association. By 1986, the first full time dance faculty member was hired within the University statewide system. In 1987, ACC was dissolved and the dance program joined the Department of Theatre at the University of Alaska Anchorage creating the Department of Theatre and Dance.
In 2004, the Department created and implemented a dance minor and a BA in Theatre with a dance emphasis. These are the first dance degree programs in the state. Today, the Dance Program maintains an active performance role within the community through its continued guest artist performance-teaching residencies.