Three major plays are performed annually by Lawrence students. Past productions have included Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a musical by Stephen Sondheim; Anton Chekhov's The Seagull; Little Eva Takes a Trip by Rebecca Gilman; Brian Friel's Translations; and The Little Foxesby Lillian Hellman. Theatre and Conservatory of Music students also combine their talents to put on a opera each spring, such as Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.

For many years, the Lawrence theatre arts department has hosted a short-term residency by Actors from the London Stage (ACTER), a group of Shakespearan actors who each fall present one of the Bard's plays. Visiting productions by the Wild Space Dance Company of Milwaukee round out the many offerings available to theatre goers.

Various student groups present a variety of films throughout the year. Om, the student film committee, oversees a well-rounded program of contemporary American films. Image International provides a foreign film series that is available to the campus and Appleton communities. The Classic Film Society offers classic American and international films. Additional film series are sponsored by academic departments or as part of special programs. Consult the online Lawrence University Calendar for the times and location of showings.