Program Overview

Theatre and Performance Studies (THPF)

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies offers a Master of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies and Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre and Performance Studies (THPF). The School also offers Master of Fine Arts degrees in Theatre Design (MFAT) and Dance (DANC).

Abstract

The M.A. program is designed to enhance and develop students’ practical, historical, and critical knowledge of theatre to prepare them for graduate work at the Ph.D. or M.F.A level, for educational or administrative jobs in the profession, or to upgrade their skills for high-school teaching.

The doctoral program in Theatre and Performance Studies is an interdisciplinary course of study that prepares students for multiple career paths in educational institutions and professional arts organizations. The program offers a rigorous exploration of both Theatre History and Performance Studies through the critical and theoretical analyses of historical archives, dramatic and performance texts, cultural behavior as performance, and theatre practice. It is dedicated to developing scholar/artists. Applicants who do not hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in theatre (or an equivalent field), may be required to take preparatory coursework prior to admission into the Ph.D. program.

Financial Assistance

The School nominates outstanding applicants for competitive University fellowships. Teaching assistantships are available to a limited number of students.

General Requirements

• Statement of Purpose
• Transcript(s)
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

Program-Specific Requirements

• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• CV/Resume
• Writing Sample: A 10 – 15 page paper demonstrating ability to do university level research

Application Deadlines

Graduate Application Deadlines-Fall

• Domestic Applicants: December 17, 2025
• International Applicants: December 17, 2025

Facilities and Special Resources

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies is housed in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (The Clarice), a complex that also houses the School of Music and the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. This 318,000 sq. ft. facility features six performance venues, multiple rehearsal rooms, dance studios, production shops, four World Outreach classrooms, the Applause Café, and the Encore bar.

Faculty

• Faedra Chatard Carpenter: Full Member, B.A., Spelman College, 1992; M.A., Washington University, 1994; Ph.D., Stanford University, 2005.
• Carla Della Gatta: Full Member, B.A. University of California, Berkeley, 1998; M.A. San Francisco State University, 2010; M.A. Northwestern University, 2012; Ph.D. Northwestern University, 2015.
• James Harding: Full Member, B.A, University of Texas, San Antonio, 1982; M.A. San Diego State University, 1987; Ph.D, University of Maryland College Park, 1991.
• Kate Keeney: Full Member, B.M., James Madison University, 2003; M.A., American University, 2005; Ph.D., Virginia Tech, 2014.
• Caitlin Marshall: Full Member, B.A., Brown University, 2005;Ph.D, University of California Berkeley; 2016.