The department offers a performance-based program balanced by substantial humanistic studies. Its threefold purpose is to instill an appreciation and respect for the collaborative nature of theater by providing both intellectual and experiential opportunities in all areas of theater, to provide a solid liberal arts foundation on which to base a specialized degree, and to provide the skills and experiences needed to prepare for a career in theater.
Many alumni continue to work in the profession.
In addition, visiting professors, adjuncts, and guest lecturers have included some of the most important figures of the theater world. The Sylvia Fine Kaye Chair in Musical Theatre has brought such distinguished guests as Betty Buckley, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Joel Grey, Celeste Holm, and John Kander and Fred Ebb. B.A. and B.F.A. students benefit from close association with M.A. and M.F.A. students from all over the world. They work together on productions, act in each others' classroom directing scenes, and are in daily contact with each other. Many professional opportunities have arisen from contacts made with former M.F.A. acting, directing, design, dramaturgy, performing arts, and management students.