Theatre Studies

Theatre Studies explores the entire breadth of theatre. From playwriting to performance analysis, directing to dramaturgy, Theatre Studies offers you the opportunity to examine theatre’s rich history, literature, and performance traditions.

This academically oriented program of study will sharpen your critical thinking and strengthen your analysis skills. As a Theatre Studies student, you will polish your communication skills through engaged class discussions, creative research presentations, and imaginative writing projects. 

Theatre Studies graduates have gone on to teach, direct, and write about theatre. This degree will prepare you for a variety of professional and education degrees, and will also provide you with a strong foundation for graduate degrees in Theatre and Drama.

Structure of the program

BA with Honours in Theatre (Theatre Studies)

This description is based on the Academic Calendar, which is the official source for degree requirements and should be consulted for fuller details. If you began your degree before the current academic year, your requirements are based on those of the calendar of your first year, which may differ. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our Academic Advisor

The following lists only the required classes for the Theatre Studies program. Students must also complete enough elective classes to fulfill Dalhousie's requirements for a BA Honours degree. Honours students must maintain at least a B+ average in all of their advanced Theatre classes. 

Year 1

  • PERF 1000.03 (Writing About Performance)
  • PERF 1002.03 (Writing About Stage and Screen)
  • Six additional credit hours in THEA at the 1000-level 

Year 2

  • THEA 2011.03 (Ancient and Medieval Theatre)
  • THEA 2012.03 (Early Modern Theatre)
  • THEA 2901.03 (Dramaturgy: The Art of Developing Plays)
  • THEA 2902.03 (Play Analysis for Directors) 

Years 3 and 4

  • THEA 3201.03 (Directing for the Stage), offered every other year
  • THEA 3503.03 (Modern Theatre)
  • One elective course in Theatre History
  • THEA 3601.03 and 3602.03 (The Playwright in the Theatre), offered every other year
  • THEA 4501.03 (Canadian Theatre after 1968), offered every other year
  • One full advanced class in dramatic literature from another department (e.g. English, Classics, Russian, Spanish, German, French, etc.) 

Theatre Studies students complete the Honours Qualifying Project by fulfilling the function of a dramaturge or assistant director on one of the Fountain School stage productions.