The Department Of Theatre Arts, founded in 1982, offers a four-year undergraduate B.F.A. program, an M.A./M.F.A. in Dramatic Theory, Acting, Directing, Playwriting, and a Ph.D. in Dramatic Theory.

Our courses focus on creativity, professionalism, and collaboration in order to fulfill our goal of training excellent theatrical artists and works. Our courses embrace the traditions of both eastern and western theatre, both traditional and modern-balancing critical thinking with practical skills, and theory with technique. We are a big team: graduates, undergraduates, and students of all disciplines collaborate equally in rehearsals, performances, playreading, and other tasks.

The core of our training program is our emphasis on production and academic presentation. Each semester we produce one mainstage faculty-led production, and at least four studio productions by students. The mainstage productions are supported by a creative team drawn from academic faculty and professional faculty and staff; the student productions are supported by instructors who offer mentoring and individual guidance. Production also serves as the cornerstone for our process of evaluation.