Programs

Theatre (BA)

The Theatre major at Barnard College, open to students from Barnard, Columbia College, and General Studies, offers a distinctive approach to drama, theatre, and performance. This program combines foundational coursework in Western and non-Western performance traditions with practical training in acting, directing, design, dramaturgy, playwriting, and management. Students will then specialize in a particular area, culminating in advanced thesis work, which can be an original research essay or an artistic project. The department fosters an environment of imaginative engagement with the past, present, and future through intellectual and embodied inquiry. It views theatre as both an artistic and social practice, essential for developing critical thinking, creative expression, and collaborative skills necessary for a sustainable and equitable future. Students will learn to critically assess theatrical performances, create with proficiency in a chosen area of practice, and understand the historical, cultural, and social contexts of performance.