Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies (ITS) is a cross-campus coalition of faculty who research and teach in drama, theatre, and performance studies. Together, we offer a truly interdisciplinary program of study for the MA, PhD, and doctoral minor. ITS consists of more than two dozen faculty from more than a dozen departments and programs. ITS students ground their studies in theatre history, dramatic literature, and performance theory, and go on to develop innovative research that demonstrates the intellectual capaciousness that is a hallmark of theatre and performance studies as a field.

The Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies Program prepares PhD students to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary research in theatre studies and to conduct inquiry through scholarly research, practice as research, and meaningful teaching experiences. Through rigorous coursework enhanced by the study of, and participation in, various forms of theatre and performance practice, the PhD program prepares graduates for positions as college and university researchers and instructors, as well as public intellectuals and scholar/practitioners. Students with a background in theatre by, with, and for children and youth may apply to specialize in theatre for youth.

The program’s core and affiliate faculty are leaders in theatre and performance studies, whose scholarship, practice, and leadership in the profession are recognized nationally and abroad. The core faculty’s strengths include global dramatic literatures, theatre history and historiography, theatre and cultural theory, the theory and practice of theatre for youth, and relational performance. Our affiliate faculty expand the coursework and advising available to students, incorporating related fields of visual cultures, anthropology, art and art history, literary and theatre studies across English and non-English-speaking traditions, music, new media and digital design, gender and women's studies, and other disciplines.

The program attracts students from across the United States as well as internationally. It creates opportunities for students to engage in teaching and practice as part of their research. It also encourages students to participate in national and international professional meetings, working groups, and colloquia; and to share their art and research through practice and publication in their field.

Admissions

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Applicants must include in their application with a one to two page Reasons for Graduate Study statement explaining the candidate’s reasons for pursuing graduate study. Statements should include in specific detail the applicant’s area of interest, possible research questions and methodological focus, and future goals. Additionally, applicants will submit 15-20 page writing sample. Writing samples reflecting the applicant’s skills in theatre and drama research are preferred. Applications are reviewed on the basis of the prospective student’s previous academic record, references, personal statement, and writing sample.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

PhD students receive 5 years of funding through a combination of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and project assistantships. Most ITS students are funded through teaching assistantships, including Engl/Theatre 120:  Introduction to Theatre and Dramatic Literature. These courses provide opportunities for students to develop their own teaching styles and skills.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

Mode of Instruction

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses

Students must choose courses in consultation with advisor and meet the following requirements (see below for a list of courses):

• Students must complete ENGL 850 Proseminar in Theatre Research in the fall semester of the first year;
• Eight courses in Dramatic Literature, History, and Theory and Criticism;
• Three courses in Theatre/Performance Practicum;
• Eight courses in an Area of Specialization;
• Three courses in Seminars (numbered 800 or above) among the Dramatic Literature, History, and Theory and Criticism courses and Area of Specialization courses;
  • ENGL 850 Proseminar in Theatre Research and ENGL 795 One-credit Seminar do not satisfy this requirement.
• Breadth;
  • At least 9 credits outside the fields of theatre and performance studies, grouped to complement the area of specialization and the major. These courses are determined in consultation with the student’s advisor, see breadth requirements in the chart above. The breadth requirement must be completed prior to the Preliminary A exam which leads to dissertator status.

Theatre Research Requirement

At least two courses must be numbered 500 or above in each of the following areas of theatre research:

• dramatic literature;
• theatre history; and
• theatre and performance theory.

Students must work with their advisors to ensure that both depth and breadth are achieved through the balance of courses and the final papers written for the courses. Upper-level courses taken at another university or independent study courses do not satisfy this requirement.

Dramatic Literature, History, and Theory and Criticism Courses

Area of Specialization Courses

Students must work closely with their faculty advisor to select eight courses to provide an area of specialization within the major field of study.

Footnotes

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Up to two courses may be taken with individual faculty members during the program. No more than one independent study may be taken with any one faculty member, either within or outside the department. Exceptions must be presented in writing with advisor approval to the Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies core faculty.

Preliminary Exam A

After the final semester of course-work and fulfillment of the language and practicum requirements, students must pass the comprehensive Prelim A Exam to be advanced to Dissertator status. 

Dissertator Status

Once a student has obtained dissertator status, they will enroll in exactly 3 credits of ENGL 990 Dissertation Research in English each term up to degree completion

Preliminary B Exam

A one hour oral defense of the dissertation proposal conducted by the candidate’s dissertation committee. This exam is typically taken one semester after passing the Prelim A exam, and must be taken before the end of the second semester following the Prelim A.

Dissertation Defense

The culminating project of the PhD degree, the dissertation is an original and substantial contribution to knowledge that establishes the student as a scholar and professional in the field of theatre studies. The PhD degree is awarded after a successful two hour defense of the thesis before the candidate’s thesis committee.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

With program approval, students may transfer no more than 18 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

With program approval, students may transfer up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above with the “Grad 50%” attribute from UW-Madison towards the minimum credit requirement. These credits are not allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless numbered 700 or above from UW-Madison. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements. Credits earned at other institutions do not transfer.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Credits earned as a Professional student at UW-Madison do not transfer.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW-Madison

With program approval, students may transfer up to 15 credits numbered 700 or above earned as a University Special student. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Probation

Students are reviewed annually by the program faculty and may be placed on probation if they are not making satisfactory progress on program requirements.

Advisor / Committee

The dissertation must be prepared under supervision of their program advisor.

The dissertation committee consists of four faculty members—the student's advisor, at least two additional faculty members from Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, and at least one member from another department.  At least three committee members must serve as readers, responsible for reading the entire dissertation closely.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

The Prelim B exam (proposal defense) must be completed before the end of the second regular semester following the Prelim A exam.

Per Graduate School policy, doctoral students have five years from the date of passing preliminary examination to take the final oral examination and deposit the dissertation. Students may petition for an additional one-year extension. Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
  • Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances. They may also contact the L&S Academic Divisional Associate Deans, the L&S Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Administration, or the L&S Director of Human Resources.

Other

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Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Program Resources

ITS student life includes an active program of colloquia and speakers, annual short play festivals, and a yearly conference organized by ITS graduate students.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of the theory, history, and practice of drama and theatre as collaborative cultural forms across historical periods.
2. Master the methods and materials of theatre and performance research and writing in order to produce original scholarly projects that range in complexity from term papers to dissertations.
3. Develop methods for theatre and performance practice and theory in order to test the reciprocal relations between research and practice through reflective participation in the production process.
4. Identify and distinguish among the diverse global locations of theatre and the intercultural contact among theatre traditions, especially as these multiply in the modern and contemporary periods.
5. Prepare for future careers combining theatre and performance scholarship, teaching, and/or practice.
6. Demonstrate professionalization in the discipline of theatre through participation in conferences and submission of work to scholarly journals.

People

For more information about the faculty and their research interests, please visit the ITS faculty directory.