The UC Davis Granada Artists-in-Residence program is unique in American university theatre, bringing prominent theatre artists — directors, playwrights, choreographers, or filmmakers — to Davis each academic quarter to teach and create a work for public performance. A special opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students to work closely with major theatre and dance practitioners, it is a unique cross-cultural experience.

Traditionally, the program hosted British practitioners exclusively, but in recent years it has been expanded to include distinguished artists from all parts of the globe, including the U.S., to better reflect the rich cultural mix of students at UC Davis. Normally, each quarter sees one Granada Artist-in-Residence, although in winter 2001 the department welcomed two — playwright Stephen Jeffreys and director Annabel Arden — and in winter 2006 hosted choreographers Joanna Haigood and Doug Varone for another joint project. All Granada artists work closely with the permanent faculty to integrate their unique talents and areas of interest into the existing curriculum.