Stanford University

Stanford University offers a comprehensive Theatre & Performance Studies program housed within the Department of Art & Art History. While not a conservatory, the curriculum provides a rigorous, interdisciplinary foundation in theatre-making and research. Students may pursue a Theatre & Performance minor or declare a Concentration in Performance Studies, Theatre, Dance, or Performance Practice—each blending creative training with intellectual exploration.

Undergraduate coursework combines classroom learning with hands-on studio practice. In lower-division courses, students study acting, voice, movement, playwriting, and design alongside historical and theoretical classes like theatre history, dramaturgy, and global performance studies. Upper-division Pathway seminars and performance labs allow students to pursue specialized interests, such as devising, performance art, and collaborative productions.

Stanford’s vibrant production scene includes Departmental Workshops, Performance Studios, and student-led shows in campus venues like Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Pigott Theatre, and studio rehearsal rooms. While not every student participates, those interested can audition for or crew in multiple productions annually—building experience in acting, design, or technical roles. The focus remains on interdisciplinary collaboration, experimentation, and equitable ensemble-making.

Students are also deeply encouraged to integrate theatre with broader academic pursuits. Many combine theatre study with majors in fields such as creative writing, gender studies, education, or communication. The department supports involvement in research, public performance projects, and study-abroad programs focused on performance traditions across cultures. Faculty—including artist-scholars, visiting theatre-makers, and affiliated artists—mentor students in artistic and academic growth.

Graduates depart Stanford with a versatile blend of creative skills and critical insight. With support across artistic, scholarly, and entrepreneurial dimensions, alumni go on to careers or further study in theatre, performance scholarship, arts education, and related fields. Stanford’s emphasis on experimentation, inquiry, and social engagement makes its theatre program a meaningful platform for future-makers and thinkers in the performing arts.