Major and minor
Participation and collaboration are two unique focuses of the Theatre and Dance program, encouraging students to become familiar with the myriad of roles involved in planning, producing and bringing performances to the stage. The Theatre and Dance major exposes students to the variety of elements and career opportunities that surround the world of performing arts: creating stage sets, wardrobing, directing, performing, and playwriting are all areas in which students can pursue and excel in. Any of these roles allows students to develop communication, creative and collaborative skills such as emotional intelligence, time management, and a strong sense of collaboration that will prepare them to succeed in a variety of careers within and outside the performing arts.
Real World Outcomes
UC Davis alumni are stage managing Broadway plays, acting in Hollywood films and commercials, and performing voice-overs for animated movies and TV shows. Other graduates go on to earn Master's of Fine Arts or other advanced degrees and teach performing arts at every educational level. Still others employ the creative, collaborative and critical skills they have developed in fields such as arts management, marketing, sales and other areas of commerce, as well as in the public sector.
More examples of what you can do with this major
Requirements
From their first year, students participate in every aspect of bringing a work to the stage, and opportunities to learn from working professionals in the field abound, both through faculty contact, the Granada Artist-in-Residence program and special Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts events.
Technical practice accompanies a firm grounding in dance and theatre history, performance theory and criticism. Students develop their creative artistry while taking on responsibilities in departmental productions and participating in two of three areas: acting/dance performance, design or directing/playwriting/stage management. Collaborative and organizational skills flourish on crew and participation in any of our production shops. including set design, costume, lighting, painting, props and sound.
