Letter from the Director
We are committed to providing inclusive, collaborative and innovative education for our students. Our teaching artists, scholars and alumni work locally, nationally and internationally to advance and transform the research and practice of the performing arts and connect art to the world.
Maura Keefe, Director
School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies’ undergraduate and graduate programs rank among the top in the country. TDPS, as we call ourselves, serves as a national model for providing an inclusive educational environment designed to advance, transform, and innovate the research and practice of the performing arts. Our programs prepare students to apply their knowledge and skills to professions within the performing arts, as well as in other industries, after graduation.
In a historical moment that places increased emphasis on virtual learning, TDPS is already a leader in incorporating media and technology in creation of the performing arts. We see this moment as a challenge to further push the boundaries of innovation in our fields and lead the research and practice of virtual performance and digital humanities.
Even more important than the virtual, however, is the tangible. Our school is committed to promoting practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community. We recognize that within the culture of higher education, we have a duty to deepen anti-racist practices in our curriculum, examine and acknowledge our participation in racism and white supremacy and hold each other accountable for our unconscious biases and practices of privilege.
TDPS faculty, students and staff work to deepen relationships with artists and scholars across disciplines. Our nationally and internationally recognized faculty create a learning environment that reveals theatre and dance as powerful collaborative art forms through artistic and scholarly practice. Their work as professionally recognized directors, choreographers, actors, designers and scholars crosses over into their work with the students in the school, just as their research and teaching informs their work in the professional world.
Please browse our website to learn more about our academic programs and join us for our performance events. Whatever your interest in the performing arts—as a prospective student, artistic collaborator or audience member—we invite you to become a part of our community.
Sincerely,
Maura Keefe, Director
School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies