Theatre and Performance Studies (THPF)

Graduate Degree Program
College: Arts and Humanities

Abstract

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies offers a Master of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies and Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre and Performance Studies (THPF).  For more information visit the School website at http://tdps.umd.edu/programs/phd-theatre-and-performance-studies.  The School also offers Master of Fine Arts degrees in Theatre Design (MFAT) and Dance (DANC)

The School’s application deadline for best consideration for the MA or PhD program is Dec 16.  Applications fully submitted by January 16, may also receive consideration on a space available basis.

The M.A. program is designed to enhance and develop students’ practical, historical, and critical knowledge of theatre to prepare them for, graduate work at the Ph.D. or M.F.A level, for educational or administrative jobs in the profession, or to upgrade their skills for high-school teaching.

The doctoral program in Theatre and Performance Studies is an interdisciplinary course of study that prepares students for multiple career paths in educational institutions and professional arts organizations. The program offers a rigorous exploration of both Theatre History and Performance Studies through the critical and theoretical analyses of historical archives, dramatic and performance texts, cultural behavior as performance, and theatre practice.  It is dedicated to developing scholar/artists.  Applicants who do not hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in theatre (or an equivalent field), may be required to take preparatory coursework prior to admission into the Ph.D. program.

Financial Assistance

The School nominates outstanding applicants for competitive University fellowships. Teaching assistantships are available to a limited number of students. The Graduate program head will discuss these with accepted students at the time of acceptance.

Website:  http://tdps.umd.edu

Contact

Franklin Hildy
Professor and Director of the M.A. and Ph.D. programs 
Theatre and Performance Studies
2822 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
8115 Alumni Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.3157
Email: hildy@umd.edu

Crystal Gaston
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
2809 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
8115 Alumni Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.6675
Email: cgaston@umd.edu 

Courses: THET

General Requirements

• Statement of Purpose
• Transcript(s)
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

Program-Specific Requirements

• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• CV/Resume
• Writing Sample: A 10 – 15 page paper demonstrating ability to do university level research – uploaded to the Uploads Requirement section of the application.

Application Deadlines

RESOURCES AND LINKS:

Program Website: http://www.tdps.umd.edu
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions

Located just outside Washington, D.C., we are situated in the heart of one of the most vibrant performing arts markets in the country with more than 80 professional theatre companies within easy travel distance; including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth Theater, GALA Hispanic Theatre, the National Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, The Everyman Theatre and Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. Two of the greatest libraries in the world, the Library of Congress and the Folger Shakespeare Library, are in close proximity to campus. Students also make regular use of the National Archives the Smithsonian Institution, the Federal Theatre Project Archives, and more than 50 specialized libraries and institutions in the Washington metropolitan area.

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies is housed in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (The Clarice), a complex that also houses the School of Music and the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. This 318,000 sq. ft. facility features six performance venues, multiple rehearsal rooms, dance studios, production shops, four World Outreach classrooms, the Applause Café, and the Encore bar. It School is home to the externally funded Maya Brin Institute for New Performance and the International Program for Creative Collaboration and Research. The Maya Brin Institute for New Performance has renovated and significantly upgraded the equipment for four studios, two labs, and three makerspaces. All TDPS performances are assisted by Clarice Smith professional production staff.