Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama

The Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama is the first degree-granting drama institution in the United States of America. The school combines established practice with progressive pedagogical and technological advancement across all disciplines. The School is committed to enriching a myriad of arts practices, championing interdisciplinary collaborations, and exploring new forms of creative expression. We strive to create an environment that encourages a diversity of opinions, voices, perspectives, and experiences and honors the identities (inclusive of race, gender, class, sexuality, religious belief, and ability) of all members of our community. We seek to promote the creative theatrical storytelling of a variety of cultures. The school’s conservatory program within the university is one that prepares students intellectually, artistically and practically to be leaders in their chosen professions, whether it be on stage, in film, television, or within the expanding realm of new media.

In addition to regular curriculum coursework, the School of Drama offers students multiple opportunities to learn collaboratively and further develop interests.

• The Performance Program enables students to work on all areas of dramatic production including: classic, contemporary, cross-disciplinary and new work projects. Also, the Visiting Artists Program exposes all students to a wide variety of artistic leaders and performance specialists who build upon the faculty’s broad experience.
• Additionally, the Study Abroad Program offers students the opportunity to live and learn in a foreign country and to interact with international artists, teachers and communities.
• The school encourages students and faculty to make connections off-campus, within the Pittsburgh region, nationally and internationally. Working with faculty mentors and visiting artists, the students develop a personal connection with a wide variety of arts and entertainment practitioners and companies. The School of Drama’s eminent facility and staff work out of the Purnell Center for the Arts, the physical center of campus. Students take part in over 15 productions each year that are accessible to the university and wider Pittsburgh community.