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What is Drama and Theatre Arts?

The Drama and Theatre Arts degree is a field of study focused on performance.  The term drama comes from the Greek word meaning “action”.  The two masks (black and white) that are associated with drama represent the division between tragedy and comedy.  The symbols are of ancient Greek muses Thalia and Melpomene, representing the laughing muse and weeping muse respectively.

In English, the term play is the standard term used to describe drama until William Shakespeare’s time.  Today, a drama performed in a theatre by actors upon a stage before a live audience includes an active mode of production often including music and dance.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$57,600

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

35.64%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

12,060

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Drama and Theatre Arts Degree

Harvard University is regarded as a world-class institution that offers standardized undergraduate and graduate courses and technical schools through well-equipped facilities and exceptional faculty. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University built its reputation on providing an excellent curriculum on liberal arts and takes pride in its esteemed faculty of scholars. 

Theater, Dance, and Media (TDM) is an undergraduate program offered by the university which incorporates the historical, theoretical, and practical study of live and visual arts, guided by practitioners from the American Repertory Theater (A. R.T) and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. It envisions to cultivate the intellect and imagination of its students by using a variety of practice techniques and arts-based research in the different forms of art including visual arts, humanities, music, and literature. Along with the required courses, students of the program are also required to take part in at least two concentrations led by professional choreographers, designers, and directors. 

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Yale University is the United States’ third oldest university and is regarded as one of the best in the nation. Being one of the universities that make up the notable “Ivy League”, Yale University ensures that they provide excellent education through a variety of outstanding undergraduate programs, allowing their students to pursue their choice of study.

The Acting and Theater Department is a discipline covered by the Yale University’s School of Drama that seeks to nourish and develop the talent and commitment among individuals who have a strong imagination, a physical and vocal instrument with the ability to develop and transform, and an active intelligence. Its curriculum is integrated with extensive production experience to prepare them for careers in the field of acting. In addition to this, it has over 40 production opportunities where students can train and develop themselves for a vibrant career in the arts.

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Established in 1754 by King George II’s royal charter, Columbia University in the City of New York is United States’’ fifth oldest university, known to be the university to have discovered the laser beam, the first use of Green Fluorescent Protein, and the PM radio. The university takes pride in having received 79 Nobel Prizes ever since 1901, when the first Nobel Prize was granted.

Columbia University’s School of the Arts grants their students the chance to interact and build connections with leading producers, creators, and practitioners as they train to become exceptional artists. They seek to further nurture students who possess the vision, commitment, and talent to excel in the field of art. Its MFA Theatre degree program at Columbia University aims to prepare theatre artists to reflect its nation’s culture and shape today’s society. 

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Students at Brown University can choose from a variety of program options to help them grow and develop, including programs in Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and Health and Clinical Professions. The school is a private institution based in Providence, Rhode Island and enrolls over 8,000 students every year.

The Department of Theater Arts and Performance Studies is Brown University’s academic and creative hub for faculty and students who are interested in the literary, theoretical, aesthetic, realistic, and historical explorations of different performances in theatre, voice, and dance. Undergraduate students enrolled in the program will study performance theories while also collaborating with groups outside the university to develop and take a closer look at socially engaged performances that address different social issues. The department does not only limit itself to offering an Undergraduate Program but also a Doctoral Program in Theatre and Performance Studies. 

Acceptance Rate

7.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1749, the University of Pennsylvania is a large urban university that does not only rank among the top ten universities, but also houses the country’s first medical school. Summer programs, distance learning, continuing education, and other off-campus facilities are available for students who choose to enroll themselves at University of Pennsylvania.

UPenn’s Theatre Arts major is structured to give students a comprehensive education in the field of theatre and arts, consisting of 7 mandatory courses, 6 electives, and 1 production practicum. They will learn about the history and culture of theatre, the nature of acting and directing, the structure, style, and meaning of a theatrical performance, and other theoretical knowledge that will guide them become successful artists. The school is more than willing to cater those that are interested in the program. 

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private, nonprofit university that offers a wide range of degree programs to students. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT enrolls about 11,000 students per year.   Theater Arts degree at MIT encourages students to investigate theater as a new creative activity within a rich academic spectrum of performing arts traditions. It offers an extensive range of courses that study the theoretical and applied practical features of theatre, including voice, acting, movement, directing, playwriting, and scenography. MIT is dedicated in providing a groundbreaking course of study across a broad range of artistic styles. 

Acceptance Rate

6.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Stanford University offers a wide range of degree programs to help students further their education and progress. The school is a private college that is based in Stanford, California, with an annual student population of about 19,000.  At Stanford University’s Theatre and Performance Studies program, the integration of realistic theatre experience with humanistic knowledge of performance history and philosophy is fundamental. Moreover, the department considers theory and practice to be mutually reinforcing and inseparable, hence, they teach their students not only through classroom discussions but also through seminars, workshops, and actual acting and dancing performances. In order to guide students through discoveries about how the performing arts can be used as a new medium for illuminating pressing social problems and avenues to transformation, we must first provide the framework for probing dialogues and participatory interactions in our classrooms.

Acceptance Rate

4.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Dartmouth College is a private, nonprofit institution that offers a diverse range of degree programs to over 6,100 students annually. The school is in Hanover, New Hampshire, which is mostly rural.

The mission of Dartmouth College’s Theatre Department is to grant a challenging and distinguished study in the theory, practice, literature, and history of theatre. It prepares theater students for a professional career in the field and graduate school and envisions to instill a lasting passion for theater. By the help of their exceptional faculty, their students are ensured to be given individual attention and close mentorship. 

Acceptance Rate

7.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University, a private nonprofit institution, offers a variety of program choices, enabling students to choose the major that best suits their interest and needs. One of the school's distinguishing features is its association with the United Methodist Church, which plays an important role in the school's mission.

Respect for tradition, combined with engagement in current issues and critical artistic expression is Duke University’s Theater Studies approach. Its curriculum is designed to grant their students the opportunity to write plays, connect with artists and playwrights, and combine production experience and academic knowledge in theater arts and dramatic literature. To prepare their students for a career in professional theater and other fields, the department puts emphasis on the development of creative and academic skills through research and production experience.

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Amherst College is a liberal arts college that provides undergraduate education and helps students acquire valuable skills that can be applied to graduate school or jobs. The institution offers different areas of study including but are not limited to Social Sciences, Psychology, History, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, ang English Language and Literature.

The Theater and Dance major offers a college-level interdisciplinary base in performing arts while also allowing for versatile and progressive research. In their first year, new students can take one or more 100-level courses and seriously consider participating in a departmental production. Interdisciplinary links with culture, psychology, anthropology, political science, cultural studies, and topics of race, gender, and sexuality are also often discovered by students.

Acceptance Rate

11.31

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Pomona College, in Claremont, California, was founded in 1887 with the aim of bringing northeastern education to the American southwest. The school takes pride in having a low student-to-teacher ratio, which allows for more personalized learning experiences and easy access to professors and instructors.

Pomona College’s Theatre major grants their students the opportunity to study theatre history, performance, dramatic literature, and design and theatre. As you read dramatic literature, analyze theatre history, and construct theatrical works, their courses incorporate body, mind, and spirit. Furthermore, it also gives students useful artistic, analytical, and collaborative skills that you can use in the non-theatrical workplace to solve complex problems.

Acceptance Rate

7.4

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

With more than 1,500 admission each year, Swarthmore College is a liberal arts college that provides programs in different areas of study including but are not limited to Social Sciences, Psychology, English Language and Literature, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The school is in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, which is mostly a suburban city.

Swarthmore's Theater Department serves as an educational and creative laboratory, allowing students and faculty to develop their talents and intellect. While simultaneously nurturing each student's unique talents and ambitions, the department encourages students to fully engage each other, the teachers, master artists, other disciplines and cultures, and eventually the world beyond Swarthmore. Moreover, the department is always looking for new ways to collaborate between the academy and the professional theater, as well as building bridges between the American theater and our foreign counterparts.

Acceptance Rate

8.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Established in 1865, Cornell University has progressed to become one of the nation’s leading public research universities. The university is highly committed to transmitting and applying university-based expertise for the good of the State's economic growth.

Performing and Media Arts at Cornell University ensures that their students develop the ability to engage aesthetic categories and create critical discourse vocabulary, to understand the process of producing artistic work, and to acquire the creative and critical skills in performance and media. Prospective undergraduate candidates are not interviewed, auditioned, or have their portfolios reviewed by the Cornell Department of Performing and Media Arts. In addition to taking major courses in four different areas including Design, History/Theory/Criticism, Authorship, and Embodied Performance, they may also specialize by taking a series of courses in the rubric field that interests you the most.

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Northwestern University offers a diverse range of academic programs leading to certificates and diplomas and bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as technical degrees. They take pride in producing government leaders and newsmakers from law, education, science, performing arts, the media, and medicine.

Northwestern School of Communication’s Major in Theatre combines highly established performing abilities with a deep understanding of theatre literature and theory to produce the best theatre performers, designers, singers, and actors. In this program, Acting, speech, movement, dance, directing, design, stage production, playwriting, and dramaturgy, as well as theatre history, literature, and criticism, will all be covered. Students will develop and nurture the ability to think critically about situations and complex social problems from a range of viewpoints, as well as research, writing, group discussion, oral presentation, performance, and production skills.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

As a liberal arts college, Williams College allows their students to explore a wide range of topics and subjects through the different undergraduate and graduate programs that they offer. Located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, the institution has an annual student population of around 2,100.

Traditional classroom experiences, advanced work in acting, architecture, directing, and scholarship, and mentored relationships with faculty and guest artists are among the many types and levels of student participation pursued by the Department of Theater at Williams College. It blends creative practice with academic inquiry, encouraging students to participate in critical thinking and creativity and craft and context at the same time. In addition to this, the department allows and encourages their students to do independent ventures and self-produced performances, giving them the opportunity to pursue their own dreams and grow their own skills.

Acceptance Rate

12.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The University of Notre Dame is a private, nonprofit university in Notre Dame, Indiana, that offers a wide range of educational opportunities to students. One of the school's distinguishing features is its Roman Catholic affiliation, which plays an important role in the school's mission.

For general liberal arts students as well as those pursuing intensive training for advanced study in Film, Television, or Theatre, the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre provides both a scholarly and an artistic sense. Their curriculum’s hands-on style, combined with a comprehensive, broad-based approach and a high level of student-faculty engagement, provides students with a one-of-a-kind educational experience. A four-show season of plays is offered in addition to coursework to support the Department's theatre program and student creative progress.

Acceptance Rate

15.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University is a private, nonprofit organization that offers a wide range of degrees to students. Social Sciences, Business and Marketing Studies, and Health and Clinical Professions are some of the programs offered at the university. 

At Vanderbilt’s Department of Theatre, students are more than just numbers; they are part of a vibrant creative community. In small classroom settings and over the course of a diverse production season, they learn from a passionate and devoted faculty. Because of the small size of the program, students will gain valuable experience in all facets of theatrical production and theatre studies.

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Georgetown University offers a wide range of degrees to students.to almost 17,000 students per year. The school is Roman Catholic, as shown by the part it plays in program curriculums and everyday life.

The Department of Performing Arts collaborates widely across campus on classes, studies, programs, festivals, and activities, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning. Some of their productions include On the Lawn, Falla/ Stravinsky, and Noura. The department ensures that they explore different contemporary issues in their productions and collaborates with different departments to bring out the best in their performances. 

Acceptance Rate

14.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Students at Washington University in St. Louis will take advantage of a range of educational opportunities to help them grow and develop. The school is a private college that is located in Saint Louis, Missouri with an annual student population of around 14,000. 

Undergraduate programs of the Performing Arts Department at John Hopkins combine critical study in theatre, dance, and performance with practical experience creating stimulating artistic work to provide students with the best of a liberal arts education. They take pride in a curriculum that pairs liberal arts education with intensive instruction in the art forms of theater and dance provides academic enrichment. They place their students on the cutting edge of collaborative creative development, so that they gain trust in expressing their ideas and passions, as well as hands-on experience handling challenging collaborative projects, in addition to historical and theoretical awareness, critical thinking, and writing skills.

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is a world-renowned public research university with a focus on medical care, education, and research. In many fields, including federally sponsored research projects, the School of Medicine, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins programs are among the best in the country.

The Program in Theatre Arts and Studies covers the basics of technical direction, play production, play analysis, theatre management, and theatre history, as well as acting, directing, and playwriting. Their program allows their students to participate in different performances, granting them the opportunity to practice the theory that they acquire in a discussion. This program is offered as a minor program, with 21 required credits. 

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

With approximately 10,000 students annually, Tufts University offers a wide range of degree programs that help students advance in their careers. Their campus is based in Medford, Massachusetts.

Theater, one of the undergraduate programs offered at Tufts University, nurtures imaginative and critical thinking skills through hands-on experiences with history and literature. It offers a wide variety of expertly taught courses and thrilling faculty-directed productions, as well as a number of involved student organizations that produce performances on a regular basis. In this program, students may follow a variety of interests and participate in a variety of ways, including as actors, directors, designers, technicians, and/or producers.

Acceptance Rate

14.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Located in New York, New York, Barnard College is one of the liberal arts colleges in the United States that provides undergraduate and graduate degree level education. History, Social Sciences, Psychology, and English Language and Literature are some of the programs offered at the institution.

Barnard College’s Arts Education aims to provide opportunities for students from all backgrounds to interact with art in ways that are personally relevant to them. This area is staffed by talented artists who can help and guide students make meaningful connections and explore possibilities that are only available at Barnard. In addition to this, a variety of extra-curricular activities are supported by the Art Education Program Region.

Acceptance Rate

11.77

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Southern California is known as the West's oldest research university, and it continues to be a pioneer in this field, with an award-winning faculty and strong medical, health, and science programs that have spawned numerous new ideas and technologies over the years. Collaboration, interdisciplinary research, public service, and technical education are all encouraged at the university.

The USC School of Theater Arts is one of the most prestigious drama schools in the United States, combining artistic training in a conservatory setting with excellent faculty and the full academic experience available only at a major research university. Students are trained for leadership in all aspects of the dramatic arts through high-quality programs and projects that include access to professional practice. The school frequently hosts a variety of guest speakers and lecturers, including some of the most well-known names from the worlds of theater, film, and television.

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Claremont McKenna College is a liberal arts college that provides an undergraduate education while also assisting students in the development of essential skills that can be applied to graduate school or jobs. Located in Claremont, California, the college admits around 1,300 students annually. 

Under the leadership of the Pomona College Department of Theatre and Dance, Claremont McKenna College participates in The Claremont Colleges Theatre Program. The study of performance, design and technology, dance, theatre history, dramaturgy, and dramatic literature are all part of the program’s curriculum. Their goal is to develop a creative and critical mind in their students and sensitivity to the interpersonal relationships that are inherent in the collaborative phase, which prepares them for a range of careers in fields and organizations that value these qualities.

Acceptance Rate

10.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Considered to be one of the best public universities in the country, University of California – Los Angeles is a public research institution that houses different undergraduate departments, offering about 300 different programs. Some of the programs that the university offers include Sociology, History, Computer Science, and Architectural Studies.

The School of Theatre, Film, and Television at UCLA offers degrees in both undergraduate and graduate levels in different theatre disciplines including acting, directing, and playwriting. In their undergraduate programs, students are taught about the basic and critical elements of theatre, its role as a global phenomenon, and instructions in acting, directing, design, writing, and outreach education. They are given an education on liberal arts along with training that combines humanities, sciences, and arts to prepare them for the industry.

Acceptance Rate

12.32

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Top Drama and Theatre Arts Degrees

Drama students and theatre students have more college degree options today than ever before. From undergraduate certificate programs to graduate degrees in the field, students have myriad programs to choose from in drama. The question then become, which is the best theatre program for me? Answering these questions is a personal one that requires reflection, cogitation, and a firm grasp on your personal priorities.

To help you align your priorities, we have created an eBook titled the Complete Guide to the College Admissions Process. In the first five pages of the book, you will see a listing of questions to help you create your personal priority list. Once you have your priorities sorted and organized, selecting a degree program and college become a much easier process.

Below you will find a summary of degree and certificate programs in theatre and drama. We encourage prospective students to connect with colleges that offer programs that match you best. In fact, we have simplified the process by providing a complete list of programs on our resource page instead of looking up hundreds of college programs concurrently.

Certificate in Drama and Theatre Arts

Certificate programs in theatre and drama will often require students to audition prior to acceptance. Elite programs have programs in high demand thus making the acceptance rates lower. Undergraduate certificate programs may focus on voice, acting, dance, music, or a combination of several disciplines. A certificate program will be shorter in length than a degree program, in most cases, with a focus on a particular area in the arts.

Associate Drama and Theater Degree

Associates degrees in theatre arts are typically conferred as an Associate of Arts (AA). An associate degree will typically take students 2-years to complete. Programs will include a fusion of general education courses and core classes. Liberal arts classes will often include courses such as communications, psychology, sociology, history, economics, and philosophy. Make sure to complete prerequisites enrollment limited at most colleges.

Core classes will depend on the schools offerings and area of emphasis you choose to pursue. For example, a school may offer an AA degree in theatre with a concentration in production, acting, music, singing, managing, design, directing, dance, playwriting, or stage production. To further illustrate the point, a student electing a music theatre track would take the following types of classes:

  • Musicianship for Actors
  • Applied Voice
  • Music Theatre Techniques
  • Music Theatre History
  • Ballet
  • Dance
  • Acting

Bachelor's Degree in Drama

A bachelors degree in theatre arts would be found in a course catalog as a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Much like the associate degree, a bachelor's degree fuses general education courses with core classes in the arts. The primary differences between the two degrees include the depth and breadth of classes studies. Drama theatre arts like the Barnard Theatre Department offer a drama degree for theatre arts majors. In fact, the Advance theatre Barnard offers top-flightdrama and theater programs and a hands-on experience to the inner workings oftheatre's at large.

As the most popular degree in the United States, the bachelors degree generally takes 4-years to complete. Students will have exposure to a number of theories within theatre arts and drama to prepare them for a graduate degree or careers in the arts.

Master Degree in Drama and Theatre Arts

Masters degrees are conferred as a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Master of Arts (MA). Both MFA and MA degrees will take students 1-2 years to complete. Graduate students in theater degrees will typically specialize in a field of the arts that may include track such as producing, directing, playwriting, leadership, stage management, and sound arts. A student pursing a MFA or MA degree in stage production would take classes such as:

  • Primary Design
  • Space and Lighting
  • Model Building
  • Freehand Drawing
  • Pattern Drafting
  • Hand Drafting
  • Secondary Design
  • Computer Graphics
  • Drafting
  • Figure in Space
  • Scene Painting
  • Theatre Collaboration
  • Costume Design
  • Textile Design
  • State Design
  • Lighting Design

Students in Drama and Theatre Arts Design

For students that earn arts degrees in Drama and Theatre Arts, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue. The options range from actors, teachers, directors, producers, communications, journalism, dancers, musicians, stagehands, and an array of performers to name a few possible career tracks.

Theatre Production Job Growth & Career Outlook

The job growth in the greater Drama and Theatre Arts ranges by discipline and geography. For example, a person holding a degree in acting can expect a 10% growth in employment through 2024 according to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

In terms of wages, an actor living in New York can expect to make nearly four times more than an actor living in Georgia. This fact underscores the importance of geography and demand from industry to industry as vocations in one region may vary from another region.

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