University of Texas Theatre & Dance

The University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Theatre & Dance offers a robust Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Dance, housed within the College of Fine Arts. The major integrates rigorous academic coursework with performance-based studio training. Students choose from six distinct emphasis areas—such as Acting, Playwriting & Directing, Design & Technology, Theatre for Youth and Communities, Performer’s Process, or History & Dramaturgy—allowing for deep specialization within a flexible curriculum.

Academic coursework emphasizes both practical and critical development. In foundational classes, students study acting technique, voice and movement, playwriting, directing, theatre history, and design fundamentals. Upper-division seminars and performance labs encourage exploration of devised work, multimedia performance, and collaborative creation. The program’s strong academic component underpins each concentration with theoretical, cultural, and literary study in dramaturgy and performance analysis.

Students benefit from a busy production calendar that includes 6–8 mainstage productions per year, alongside many additional laboratory shows, readings, and festival work—totaling 20–30 performance events annually. Productions span classic theatre, contemporary scripts, new work development, and devised pieces. These experiences allow individuals to develop portfolios in performance, design, technical roles, and production leadership.

Performance and training take place in multiple professional-caliber venues on campus within the University of Texas Performing Arts Center, including the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, McCullough Theatre, B. Iden Payne Theatre, and Bass Concert Hall. These facilities house theaters ranging from 244-seat black-box configurations to a 2,900-seat concert hall, all supported by rehearsal studios, design shops, and backstage facilities—enabling students to work in real-world production environments.

Finally, students in the program receive mentorship from a rich network of faculty and visiting artists—including award-winning theatre professionals and scholars. The department links undergraduate training with initiatives such as Shakespeare at Winedale, guest artist workshops, and collaborations with local theatre organizations. Graduates emerge with strong performance portfolios, critical training, and access to extensive professional networks—well-prepared for careers in performance, design, education, or graduate study.