Welcome
Combining respect for history with immersion in contemporary issues, and intellectual engagement with creative expression, the Department of Theater Studies offers students opportunities to study and practice theater. The faculty view theater as a form of human expression, shaped by social, economic, technological, personal, and artistic forces. As such, the study and practice of theater are valuable components of a liberal arts education.
Courses in dramatic literature and theater arts are complemented by productions of plays from the past and present. This combination of academic coursework and production experience is a hallmark of our approach in Theater Studies. Courses and productions are open to all undergraduates.
A student may major or minor in Theater Studies. Courses are designed to encourage students to solve problems in collaboration with others, to develop skills in critical thinking, and to communicate effectively with language, physical expression, and visual images. This focus on the development of artistic and intellectual skills, through study and production experience, helps prepare students for careers in the professional theater and in a variety of other fields.
Theater Studies faculty are scholars in dramatic literature, theory, or theater history, or they are theater professionals in acting, administration, design, directing, and playwriting. Classes are small, insuring a high level of interaction between students and faculty. A major area of interest among faculty members is the development of new theater, both student and professional. Students are encouraged to write plays, and new writing by Duke students is presented annually. This is complemented by professional productions and workshops of new plays that begin at Duke and then transfer to Broadway or other professional venues. These professional projects offer students the opportunity to intern and learn from visiting artists and practitioners.
I invite you to explore this website, which contains a wealth of information about the undergraduate program in Theater Studies at Duke. If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact any member of the faculty or staff (click here for Directory), in particular our Undergraduate Coordinator, Dierdre Shipman (shipm003@duke.edu, 919-660-3345).
John Clum
Chair, Department of Theater Studies
