As a branch of the humanities and as a complex cultural practice, theater claims a rich history and literature and an equally rich repertoire of embodied knowledge and theory. Theater Studies emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between practice and scholarly study. The major combines practical training with theory and history, while stressing creative critical thinking. Students are encouraged to engage intellectual and physical approaches to explore diverse cultural forms, historical traditions, and contemporary life.

The study of theater is interdisciplinary in scope and global in perspective. Students are expected to take courses also in cognate disciplines such as history, philosophy, anthropology, religious studies, political science, film, art, music, literature, and foreign languages. Faculty members are affiliated with a range of departments and programs; their diverse expertise lends breadth and depth to course offerings and enables students to devise a course of study that reflects their developing interests.

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