Drama

Students may select drama as a major through the Performing Arts Department. This major combines the historical, cultural, theoretical and literary study of theater and performance with a full array of theater arts courses, including acting, directing, performance art, design (set, costume, lighting), stage management and playwriting. The Performing Arts Department strongly believes in the mutually beneficial relationship between the study and the practice of theater. A major in drama develops students' knowledge of theater by means of rigorous, immersive studio and lab courses, along with a strong and comprehensive grounding in theater history, dramatic literature, performance studies and dramatic theory.

Historical Practice courses, of which majors select three, provide an expansive, global and historical study of theater and performance; students take an additional two courses in theater and performance studies. Within the theater arts, students choose courses in acting, directing, playwriting or design. Our theater arts courses are based on a liberal arts model rather than a conservatory model. During the senior year, a capstone experience is required for all drama majors. 

The Performing Arts Department also offers a minor in drama built around the same commitment to the study and practice of theater. 

We also offer a special study abroad program that can be credited toward the major. Since 1991, we have been holding a summer program at Shakespeare's Globe in London, where undergraduate and graduate students take part in a series of master classes taught by Globe personnel. A Washington University Ampersand program — “Shakespeare’s Globe: All the World’s a Stage” — offers a year-long immersion in Shakespeare to first-year students and culminates in an opportunity to participate in this study abroad program.

Contact Info

Contact:Andrea Urice
Phone:314-935-4057
Email:aurice@wustl.edu
Website:http://pad.artsci.wustl.edu