Skip to site navigation search APPLY TOUR GIVE Fall COVID-19 Plan Students Families Employees Alumni ABOUT ACADEMICS ADMISSION CAMPUS LIFE ATHLETICS ARTS SUSTAINABILITY NEWS Drama Department VASSAR DRAMA DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Vassar Drama Department is to provide our students with a strong multidisciplinary approach to the practice of Theater-Making, the study of Theater History, Dramatic Literatures, Performance Studies, and Global Theatrical practices. Our study of theater engages theory and practice as inseparable, dynamically interrelated elements, and considers our Experimental Theater as a laboratory for the bold exploration of form incorporating the study of history, Historiography, and the intersection of race, gender, class, and queerness. (CORNELIA, a senior project in Drama, Spring 2020) We assume that there is no one truth or correct methodology, but rather multiple solutions to the questions we pose. In addition, we work in tandem with other disciplines and departments on campus. We understand that our methods of inquiry, pedagogies, and practices are constantly evolving. Similarly, we strive to maintain the strongest possible ethics of equity and inclusion both in our educational goals, and hiring protocols. (FUN HOME, Fall 2019) The requirements for concentration allow each student a good deal of agency and individual choice, allowing students to take classes which explore Theater-Making, Dramatic Literature and the History/Theory of Theater, Scenography, Dramaturgy, Production methods, as well as courses in Acting, Movement for Actors, Extreme Performance, Directing, Playwriting, Stage Management, and Technical Theater. (STILL, a senior project in Drama Fall 2019) The Drama curriculum reflects our mission for both non-majors and majors: to encourage students to read deeply and to understand the basics of literary-critical analysis through phenomenological and practical means. Drama 102, “Introduction to Theater-Making,” reflects our teaching philosophy and our collaborative process. It is designed to engage students as critical audience members, helping them to move beyond purely emotional reactions to critical judgment and analysis and to become effective and generous collaborators. In these ways, the course fulfills the college's mission of helping students to develop their powers of reason and imagination through processes of embodied analysis and synthesis. Our culminating course, “Drama 390, “Senior Project in Drama,” is an intensive and collaborative thesis that explores a particular text, or practice and can also consist of original work in Playwriting. Alternatively, we also strongly encourage scholarly research and critical writing as the basis for a thesis. (FEFU AND HER FRIENDS, A virtual senior project in Drama, Fall 2020) By the time drama majors leave Vassar, we expect students to have developed the ability to think critically about literature and production, text and performance, and to be able to express original critical and analytical thought through clear prose. Finally, we expect students to have gained an understanding of and practical ability in the various elements of theatrical production: acting, directing, playwriting, design, dramaturgy, and technical theater. (BURIED CHILD, a senior project in Drama, Fall 2020) (THE MAIDS, a senior project in Drama, Fall 2020) ANNOUNCEMENTS Drama Design Faculty, Brandon Stirling Baker, makes his debut at the Hollywood Bowl in L.A.! Open auditions! Seeking actors and musicians for two upcoming productions Annual playwriting competition open to all juniors and seniors Fall 2021 Drama Dept Newsletter CONTACT Drama Department Phone (845) 437-5250 Office Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film (VCDF), 108 Email drama@vassar.edu Box Office Phone (845) 437-5599 Office Powerhouse Theater Email jogerardi@vassar.edu DRAMA PRODUCTIONS Alum Stories Guest Artists Production images Historical Costume Collection Navigation Home About Tour the Vogelstein Courses Course Images For Students Faculty Productions Facilities Drama Department at Vassar College 124 Raymond Avenue, Box 734, Poughkeepsie, New York 12604-0734 OFFICE Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film (VCDF), 108 (845) 437-5250 Admission ©Vassar College