Welcome Class of 2026!

WHO WE ARE

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The Department of Theater empowers our students with the critical and creative tools, the artistic courage, and the empathy that are essential to a fulfilling exploration of the world through theater. Our goal is to forge a strong sense of community based on respect, artistic endeavor, and collaboration, where all Dartmouth students can feel at home and thrive. We welcome and nurture theater majors and non-majors alike: as scholars, performers, designers, playwrights, stage managers, technicians, and audience members. We strive to create a learning community where all students, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, country of origin, or ability, are treated with equality and fairness, and where equity and inclusion are embraced as core artistic strengths.

Our department is composed of professional artists, scholars, and technicians teaching a rigorous academic curriculum and producing innovative and inspiring productions. Students also learn from exceptional visiting artists and guest faculty who teach in our classrooms and direct or design our productions. 

WHAT WE DO

Our Classes

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Theater Studies, Theater Practice: Our courses are broken into two categories. Theater Studies covers history, criticism, and theory, while Theater Practice includes acting, directing, design, playwriting, stage management, and technical production. Our full 2023-23 class schedule is available HERE.

Looking for great intro? First-years wondering how to get started in the department could consider any one of these great "gateway" classes: THEA 40: Tehnical Production with Professors Brianna Parry, or THEA 30: Acting I with Professor Keith Coughlin, Chris Kohn, or Shirley Jo Finney.

Our Productions

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What we produce: From popular musicals to original pieces to devised work, our stages are bursting with a wide range of productions. MainStage productions will give you the chance to work in close partnership with professional directors and designers, while student-driven productions offer many opportunities to lead the way as an actor, director, designer, stage manager, or playwright. 

First-Years take the stage this fall: First-year students interested in exploring Dartmouth theater are invited to be a part of The First-Year Project this fall, a theatrical event created and devised entirely by students and open to all First-Years. No theater experience is necessary! The first project meeting will be Wednesday September 13 at 7 pm in the Bentley Theater. More information and a project sign-up is available here.

Auditions: Upcoming performance opportunities are always posted on the auditions page of our website HERE. The first auditions of the fall 2022 term will be held September 14-16, for the department's Fall MainStage. Details on that production are here, and audition information can be found here.

Other ways to get involved this fall! Students interested in getting involved with the dept should make sure to join us at our Fall Term Preview, which will be held in the Bentley Theater at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, September 21. Students leading fall term theater projects will share details about their projects, while Department Chair Rebecca Biron and Director of Theater Jamie Horton will share updates regarding the 2022-23 season. See you there!

Other Opportunities

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Come work with us! Want to make some great theater? The Scene and Costume Shops are always looking for students interested in technical theater. Learn the nuts and bolts of set construction, theatrical electrics, props building, stitching and draping, and more....No previous experience necessary! For more information, email Technical Director Bethany Taylor, Costume Shop Manager Bethany Padron, or Production Manager Brianna Parry. 
 

WHERE WE GO

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The London FSP: Every summer, theater majors, and minors participating in our Theater Foreign Study Program spend ten weeks studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), one of the world's great performance training grounds. The program offers students an intensive conservatory experience while also taking advantage of London's incomparable theatrical tradition and vibrant cultural scene. CLICK HERE for all the details!
 

FIND OUT MORE

Sign up for our e-newsletter! The best way to stay updated on theater dept auditions, performances, events, courses, and other activities events and activities is to sign up to receive our weekly e-newsletter. Sign up HERE!

More questions? Academic Coordinator Catherine Jacobs and Department Administrator Greg Potter are available anytime to answer your questions or share more information about any aspect of our programming. Email us today!