<p>As indicated by the title, I'm curious about the study of dramaturgy. I've only just become involved in theatre last year, but I can't see myself doing anything else (I'm aware that I was once on the search for good engineering programs--but that was unconsciously solely on the basis that it would bring my parents satisfaction as well as 'financial security'). I love acting, yes, but my parents don't think the life of an actress is fitting for me, and honestly, I don't, either. Nonetheless, I'd like to embark on the dramaturgical sea of theatre. It seems an ideal alternative to me. I don't mean that in a dismissive tone, either, because the prospects of a dramaturg excite me.</p>
<p>Thus, I request the help of you theatre savvy people. What are some great universities/LACs which offer a good program in this track?</p>
<p>Also, if it helps, here are my stats (I’m a junior, btw):
Gender: F
Location: TX
College Class Year: 2017
High School: Public
High School Type: rarely sends grads to top schools
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>
<p>Academics:</p>
<p>GPA - Unweighted: N/A
GPA - Weighted: 105.00
Class Rank: top 5%
Class Size: 250</p>
<p>Scores:</p>
<p>ACT: 30 (retaking next June, projected 36)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:</p>
<p>Significant Extracurriculars: UIL One Act Play
UIL Literary Criticism
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Varsity Theatre
Leadership positions: President and founder of school’s first GSA
Honors and Awards: Advanced to State in UIL One Act Play and Literary Criticism in 2010-11.</p>
<p>My niece majored in dramaturgy at Tufts. In hindsight, it was a complete waste of her time and $200,000 of hers and her parents hard earned money. 15 months later, she now works in publishing, as she was unable to find any theatre work. If you really want to major in drama, focus on acting, directing or writing.
Londondad.</p>
<p>londondad, I hear you, but reading your post I had to crack a smile. I teach creative writing in a well-known university and many of my students would love to work in publishing upon graduation. Perhaps I should advise them to change majors from English to dramaturgy.</p>
<p>My D is interested in dramaturgy and is double majoring in Theatre and History (BA). But she realizes that job opportunities are limited, so is also getting experience in stage management.</p>
<p>Many many college majors, especially in the liberal arts, fine arts and creative fields do not lead directly to professional careers, yet I hope that the four years of study are not considered a complete waste of time. I mean to say only that many many students take a looping route to find their best careers. A great UG education (as I hope londondad’s niece received at Tufts) has value, no?</p>
<p>But of course all students who are looking at this board for college information must remember that a career in theatre arts is not <em>necessarily</em> an easy path to riches. Yet some do get by nicely.</p>
<p>A student does not need to major in dramaturgy to gain skills and experience in this area. In addition to looking at schools that have dramaturgy as an established major or track, look at theatre programs that have strong dramatic literature and theatre history course work, and writing intensive classes, as well as many opportunities to assist faculty dramaturgs, and/or be mentored by faculty on productions. Schools which also give student the opportunity to work with student playwrights on new play development would be a plus as well. You may find these opportunities in many BA theatre programs as well as the more specifically focused dramaturgy programs.</p>
<p>At some schools this may fall under the Theatre Studies track (this is a recommended track for students interested in dramaturgy where I currently teach) other schools may not have specific tracks, but provide opportunities and training within the Theatre major. </p>
<p>A double major in english, history, or art history, and reading/ writing proficiency in a foreign language would also add to your skills to bring to your work as a dramaturg.</p>
<p>There are also MFA programs that focus on dramaturgy, one of them being the program at the Yale School of Drama. </p>
<p>I know students who have gone on to work in new play development and dramaturgy and/or gone onto MFA dramaturgy programs from the undergraduate BA Theatre major at Penn State (where I did my graduate work), and James Madison (where I currently teach). </p>
<p>Since you are in TX and in the top 5% of your class you may want to see if undergraduates at UT-Austin have the opportunity to pursue related course work and experiences.</p>
<p>You may also find that since you have interests in multiple areas of theatre you might love a program that will allow you to dramaturg, but also perform, write, direct, etc…</p>
<p>The path to a career in any arts field is not a straight one, and like many industries, low paid internships, work in related (and unrelated) fields, and eventual graduate study may be part of the journey to a career.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the advice, guys! I figured a double major in English lit would also be beneficial (as I have an English professor as my ‘backup’, so to speak). I realize that I do need to continue my education after UG studies, especially if I’m considering teaching at post-secondary institutions, and that the theatre path is not the way to money, but I’m beginning to accept that. I’d just really like to start looking to the right means of building the foundation, if you will, considering I was so fixated on an engineering degree for reasons sans happiness.</p>
<p>Excuse me if I sound ignorant, but again, I’ve just caught wind of this area of theatre, thanks to my director (whom has been involved in theatre for more than thirty years and whom I will also look to for guidance). According to my mother, she’s led me on to a road of poverty, but as long as I can find a damn job… ;)</p>
<p>Its highly unlikely anyone would come right out of college and land a dramaturgy gig. I think most folks pursuing careers in the arts know it will be a circuitous path and know they will need lots of different skills so they can piece together a living. Actors need to know how to hang lights. Dramaturgists need to know how to stage manage. Directors need to know how to run a box office. And they all need to know how to wait tables. There are lots of ways to be in theater for a lifetime. </p>
<p>I realize this, as it applies to nearly every other career path. I am entirely willing to hone all sorts of skills to be successful because of my love for theatre.</p>
<p>At the moment, I think a well-rounded education in theatre, as KatMT suggested, would be ideal, in that it allows me not only dramaturgical opportunities, but also acting, directing, stage managing, etc. I’ve been looking at CMU, Northwestern, Vassar, BostonU (and yes, I know one must audition for this program), as well as Amherst, Oberlin, Williams, and Swarthmore, because I believe I have a shot at these schools, academically. Oberlin’s English department looks great, in addition.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon University has a great dramaturgy program. It includes both theory and practice and more than prepares you for whatever jobs exist (in some future recovering economy perhaps). In addition to dramaturgy, the program includes translation, criticism, and outreach. </p>
<p>CMU is a good choice for those who are in love with whatever it is they are studying. If you think working really hard at dramaturgy sounds like it would be a lot of fun, this could be the school for you.</p>
<p>The dramaturgy program at CMU sounds absolutely wonderful! I’m definitely going to apply next year. In addition, roughly how many students study dramaturgy at CMU? I’m aware that the theatre program as a whole is incredibly selective, too. Do I even stand a chance? Not saying that I’m deadset on CMU already, it’s just a great option I’d like to consider, but at the same time, I don’t want to set my sights to loftily.</p>
<p>Dramaturgy is a very small program with only about 5 students per year. </p>
<p>Although the acting and musical theater majors in CMU’s Drama department are incredibly selective, the department is not prohibitively selective otherwise. My daughter, in technical theater, tells me the dramaturgy program looks for people with solid writing skills who are passionate about theater as a field of study. I would guess they also look critically at your stats and recommendations in English and other related subjects. </p>
<p>She says the dramaturgy students are not so well known in the department because they are required to take classes in Humanities as well as Drama and do not seem to live in the Drama building, as do most of the other majors. Also, of course, not everyone understands what dramaturgs do, even in the department.</p>
<p>However, she adds, CMU’s Dramaturgy department is the oldest and one of the best-known departments in the country and its grads do find work, if not as dramaturgs, then in related fields.</p>
<p>Many universities have great programs and they do not have to be a waste of time and money. I do encourage you to check out Ball State University. There is a Theatre Studies degree that allows a focus in dramaturgy while offering a well-rounded theatre education for more marketability upon graduation. Within the major however you are exposed to playwriting, criticism, theatre management, program layout and so much more. In addition to a major you can have control over you are able to audition for the show season. Many non BFA students can get cast. We cast for the part, not based on major. Casting for the part does not help the individual or the cast as a working group.</p>
<p>That’s very interesting, theater mom; likewise, do dramaturgy majors have opportunities outside their concentration, i.e. costuming, acting, stage managing, etc.?</p>
<p>Also, amsadlerbsu, I’ll check out Ball State as it seems like a well-rounded program.</p>
<p>There are NOT a lot of opportunities to work outside of your own major at CMU. It is a professional department with a structured curriculum. </p>
<p>There are some exceptions, however. For example, the whole department closes down for 3 days of experimental theater once a year. Although there is no budget, there are few limits on content. You can even go outside the department to include the other arts. </p>
<p>About two years ago, there was an great story in The New Yorker about Tim Monich, a dialogue coach (actually, THE dialogue coach to the stars) who started out as an actor at CMU. He talked about realizing that speech classes were what he liked best and how CMU let him design his own major focusing on this specialty. </p>
<p>But these are just general comments. I don’t know the answer to your question, kaleidotroph. But if you email or private message me, I’ll try to get you in touch with a dramaturgy student or teacher.</p>
I mean to say only that many many students take a looping route to find their best careers. A great UG education (as I hope londondad’s niece received at Tufts) has value, no?</p>