Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College’s Department of Theater fosters a deep integration of theory and practice, empowering students through embodied storytelling and critical inquiry. The undergraduate major offers courses in acting, directing, design, dramaturgy, playwriting, dance, and stage management, balanced with theater studies classes in history, criticism, and global traditions of performance. Majors complete a broad curriculum spanning both creative and scholarly work and fulfill production requirements through active participation in performances, technical projects, or theatrical writing.

Student engagement is central to the department’s mission. Each academic term features professionally produced MainStage productions directed by faculty or guest artists, as well as a wide variety of student-driven performances. These include ensemble-devised works, workshops, new play festivals, and thematic labs. Together, they provide meaningful opportunities for students to lead, collaborate, and showcase their talents in a wide array of theatrical forms.

Performances take place in the Hopkins Center for the Arts, which houses multiple well-equipped venues including the Warner Bentley Theatre, Moore Theater, and Spaulding Auditorium. The department also utilizes rehearsal studios, technical shops, and the Student Laboratory Theatre, giving students the space and tools to bring their creative visions to life in professional-grade settings.

The department values diversity, inclusion, and collaborative learning. Open to all Dartmouth students regardless of major, the program encourages creative risk-taking and fosters a strong sense of artistic community. Through faculty mentorship and a commitment to social engagement, students explore how performance can reflect, challenge, and transform the world around them.

Graduates of Dartmouth’s Theater Program leave with a blend of artistic skill, intellectual rigor, and real-world production experience. Many continue into professional careers in the arts or pursue advanced study in MFA programs. With its emphasis on both creative excellence and critical awareness, Dartmouth’s Theater Department provides a uniquely interdisciplinary and socially conscious foundation for future theatre artists and scholars.