Emory University

Emory University’s Theater Studies program, housed within the Department of Theater & Dance at Emory College of Arts & Sciences, offers a liberal arts–based yet practice-rich pathway into the world of theater. Combining academic inquiry with studio-based experiences, the curriculum engages students in performance, design, history, dramaturgy, administration, and criticism. The program is designed to cultivate well-rounded artists and scholars, supported by a faculty deeply rooted in both practice and research. 

Students participate through Theater Emory, Emory’s resident professional Equity company, where they work alongside faculty and community artists on four major productions annually. This platform provides opportunities to act, design, stage-manage, or assist direction in a real-world professional setting. Additionally, student-run theater groups such as Dooley’s Players, AdHoc (musicals), and the Emory Chinese Theater Club enable further creative expression and leadership in performance and production.

Classroom study includes courses in acting fundamentals, scene work, history of drama, aesthetics & criticism, directing, and stagecraft. Students also explore design disciplines including lighting, sound, set, costume, and dramaturgy, choosing among elective options to suit their interests. Honors seminars, creative research projects, and undergraduate grants support deeper exploration and innovation.

Emory Theatre Studies emphasizes career preparation through internships and community engagement. Students often intern with prominent Atlanta theatres like Alliance Theatre, Out of Hand Theater, and Actor’s Express, and may pursue projects in media and urban theatre contexts. Grants and mentorship facilitate research-based performance practice, blending scholarship with creative output.

Graduates emerge with a strong critical foundation, diverse portfolios, and adaptable skills in performance, production, design, management, or dramaturgy. Alumni pursue roles in regional and national theatres, graduate programs at Yale, NYU, Stanford, Columbia, and careers in nonprofit leadership, arts administration, and academia.