The UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance offers its majors a liberal education and pre-professional training in an interdisciplinary program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dramatic Art with an emphasis in either Theatre or Dance. Students develop their abilities through a wide range of courses combining practical and theoretical skills that emphasize critical thought and independence in a context of challenging cooperative work. From the first year, majors may participate in every aspect of bringing a work to the stage: acting, dance, directing, playwriting, choreography, stage management and design. Technical practice in the design and creation of sets, costumes, sound and lighting accompanies a firm grounding in dramatic literature, dance and theatre history, performance theory and criticism. This combination of theory and practice prepares students for a broad range of career opportunities.

Our diverse faculty includes artists and scholars of national and international renown, including award-winning directors and designers. The Granada Artist-in-Residence Program, a unique cooperative program with Granada Television of London, annually brings three distinguished theatre artists to the department to teach and create a performance work with UC Davis students. Recent Granada artists have included playwright Mark Ravenhill, an associate of London's National Theatre, acclaimed choreographer Doug Varone, and internationally known theatre and opera director Irina Brown.

Throughout their undergraduate careers at UC Davis, students work closely with a faculty advisor who is a specialist in the student's area of interest. Incoming undergraduates are encouraged to contact their advisors directly to arrange an early meeting. Students may also seek advice and help from their Academic Peer Advisors, outstanding undergraduate students experienced in the field.

For more information, see UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions.