About the Dramaturgy Minor
Shape the stories that come to life on stage by studying dramaturgy! This program
offers a well-rounded education in theatre history, research and interpretation. It’s
ideal for students who want to broaden their theatre education to include behind-the-scenes
analysis.
In this program, you’ll take 12 credit hours of required courses and round out the
program with additional credit hours of electives. Thanks to a long list of approved
options, students can customize the minor by choosing the electives they’re most interested
in.
This minor is reserved for students pursuing majors from the theatre and dance department.
Theatre dramaturgy minors get access to UW’s state-of-the-art theatre spaces, including a variety of performance venues, rehearsal studios and a comprehensive script and research library. You’ll also get to perform real script analysis and historical research by using UW’s digital archives and working on live productions.
Learn more about the facility that houses these state-of-the-art research settings - the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts!
What can you do with a dramaturgy minor?
A dramaturgy education is an excellent complement to any theatre-related degree. It provides you with a unique blend of research, storytelling and critical thinking skills, all of which are used in a number of artistic careers both on and off stage.
The dramaturgy minor is great preparation for a variety of careers in the arts. Here are some of the careers you may pursue as a graduate of the UW theatre and dance department:
- Actor
- Playwright
- Dramaturgist
- Dancer
- Journalist or editor
- Theatre teacher
- Archivist
- Script advisor or writer
- Researcher
- Choreographer
Our students have attended prestigious graduate programs, including at the following schools:
- Yale University
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance
- California Institute of the Arts
- Sarah Lawrence College
- Columbia University School of Physical Therapy
- University of Michigan
UW’s dramaturgy curriculum includes a range of fascinating courses. Whether you’re interested in research, the history of theatre or script analysis, there are course options for you. Here’s a sample of the courses you can take as a dramaturgy minor:
- Theatrical Backgrounds: This course covers the historical development of theatre, focusing on significant plays, playwrights and performance styles from ancient times through the Renaissance.
- 20th Century Theatre Diversity: In this course, students examine diverse voices and movements in modern theatre, including works by historically underrepresented playwrights and the evolution of inclusive storytelling on stage.
- History of American Musical Theatre: This course offers an exploration of the development of musical theatre in the U.S., analyzing landmark productions, influential composers and societal impacts.
- Research in Theatre: Students complete independent research in dramaturgy, theatre history or performance studies under faculty mentorship.
Yes! Throughout the minor, you’ll get hands-on experience by joining rehearsals and working on live theatre productions. By working with directors, writers and performers to analyze a script and performance, you’ll get a better understanding of how dramaturgy plays a key role in shaping productions from start to finish.
Absolutely. Our faculty provide personalized guidance and support, helping students build research skills, analytical expertise and their professional networks. In addition to one-on-one faculty mentorship, our students get access to small class sizes that facilitate tailored learning experiences and a supportive environment.
