Welcome Class of 2027!

The Department of Theater empowers our students to be able to use critical and creative tools, artistic courage, and empathy to explore 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 will also learn from exceptional visiting artists and guest faculty who teach in our classrooms and work on our productions.

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Our courses are broken into two categories; Theater Studies and Theater Practice. Theater Studies covers history, criticism, and theory while Theater Practice includes acting, directing, design, playwriting, stage management, and technical production. Our 2023-24 course schedule is available here.

Looking for a great intro course? Anyone interested in theater should start with THEA 40: Technical Production with Technical Director, Bethany Taylor and Production Manager, Brianna Parry. In this course, you will learn about costuming, props, lighting, and sound as well as get comfortable in the Scene Shop and Costume Shop. And THEA 30: Acting I with Professor Carol Dunne or Professor Liliana Padilla is a great way to learn the basics of acting and to prepare for being in a production!

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Interested in being onstage? From popular musicals to original student-written 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 including our faculty and guest artists. Our MainStage production this Fall is Lost Girl, auditions will be held on Tuesday, September 12th and Wednesday, September 13th.

Student projects and productions offer opportunities to collaborate with your fellow classmates and to explore different aspects of theater such as acting, directing, designing, stage managing, or playwriting.

Auditions: Upcoming performance opportunities are always posted on the auditions page of our website HERE. 

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 meeting will be Sunday, September 17th at 1pm in Wilson Hall, Room 301. More information is available here.

Want to know other ways you can get involved this Fall? Join us at our Fall Department Preview which will be held in the Theater on Currier (4 Currier Place, across from BVAC) at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, September 12. Department Chair, Rebecca Biron and Department of Theater faculty and staff will share updates regarding the 2023-2024 season. Can't wait to see you there!

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Looking for an on-campus job? Come work with us! 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. 

Interested in travel? Want to explore London, England and see lots of theater? Apply to the Theater Foreign Study Program! Every other summer theater majors and minors accepted to our FSP spend ten weeks studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). 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!

Sign up for our e-newsletter! The best way to stay updated on 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?  Department Administrator Greg Potter and Academic Coordinator Catherine Jacobs are available anytime to answer your questions or share more information about any aspect of our programming. Email us or stop by our offices in Sudikoff today!

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Photo credit: Rob Strong and Katie Lenhart