About the Department of Theatre & Dance

Academic Programs

UNDERGRADUATE THEATRE

  • Bachelors of Arts in Theatre (with concentrations in Acting, Design, or Theatre Generalist)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design

A Minor in Theatre is also available.
Auditions are required for the BA Performance Track
Candidates may apply for the BFA in Design at the end of the sophomore year

UNDERGRADUATE DANCE

  • Bachelor of Arts in Dance
  • Bachelor of Arts in Movement Arts
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance

Auditions ARE required for each of the Dance programs, including the minor. Auditions are held every fall.
Candidates for the BFA in Dance apply and audition at the end of their sophomore year in the spring.

GRADUATE THEATRE Not taking applications for the FALL 2023

  • Master of Fine Arts in Design
  • Master of Fine Arts in Technical Production

Students are accepted into this three-year Graduate Theatre Program every other year.

For application information, contact Diana Cupsa, Head of Design.

GRADUATE DANCE

  • Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Dance Performance

Students are accepted into this three-year Graduate Dance program every other year.

For application information, contact the dance coordinator, Leslie A. Scott.

Production

In an average academic year, Tulane University Theatre produces three to four mainstage productions and two dance concerts directed and choreographed by faculty or professional guest artists.

Student produced works are encouraged and supported, and are typically produced in our experimental black box space, McWilliams Lab.

At the end of each semester, student choreography is showcased in an evening of dance called Young Performers, presented in McWilliams 300.

From late May through mid-August, the Department of Theatre and Dance hosts the repertory season of The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, an Actor's Equity Company, with an intern program offering college students from around the country the opportunity to work and perform with seasoned professional actors, directors, and designers.

Scholarships Available to Majors

Charles S. Fontelieu Endowed Fund: The Charles S. Fontelieu Endowed Fund provides an annual scholarship awarded to a deserving student who aspires to be a theater director.

Newcomb Class of 1944 Scholarship: The Newcomb Class of 1944 Scholarship provides scholarship support to a female Newcomb-Tulane student with preference given to students studying theater, dance, or both.

Dorothy Brandao Endowed Scholarship: The Dorothy Brandao Endowed Scholarship provides for scholarship support to deserving female Newcomb-Tulane College students from the Greater New Orleans area who demonstrate financial need, with preference given to young women who study mathematics and/or dance.

Overture to the Cultural Season Scholarship, Newcomb: The Overture to the Cultural Season Scholarship, Newcomb provides scholarship support to female students from the greater New Orleans area who major in visual arts, performing arts, and/or creative writing.

Overture to the Cultural Season Scholarship, Tulane: The Overture to the Cultural Season Scholarship, Tulane provides scholarship support to male students from the greater New Orleans area who major in visual arts, performing arts, and/or creative writing.

John Kennedy Toole Scholarship Fund: The John Kennedy Toole Scholarship Fund is awarded exclusively for scholarships for brilliant and needy authors and playwrights.

After Tulane

Tulane alumni enjoy careers in regional theater, network television, feature films, and college and university theatres across the country. Some work for talent agencies, art councils, recreation programs, or creative dramatic programs. Others choose careers in related fields such as teaching, public relations, advertising, tourism, merchandising and fashion, or even in other professional areas such as law, business, medicine, or computer science.

Festivals & Affiliations

Support the Department

Tulane's Department of Theatre and Dance offers several opportunities for parents, alumni, and others to invest in the future of the department.

Donations of any size help the department put-on more productions each year, while increasing the quality of our productions.

The Stephanie "Stevie" Dawson Memorial Fund and Award is for Excellence is Technical Theatre as exemplified by continuous dedication and service to the performing arts, while maintaining a positive and professional attitude in the face of challenging obstacles. It epitomizes Stevie's love and dedication to theatre. This award is given at the department's annual spring picnic, the "Millies."

The Monroe Lippman Founders Award in Acting, and the John I. Sutherland, Jr. Memorial Fund are monetary awards given to students at our annual spring picnic, the "Millies." Donations are always welcome.

Donations can be mailed or delivered to:

Tulane Department of Theatre & Dance
215 McWilliams Hall
New Orleans, LA 70118

For further information on how to support the department, contact Victor Holtcamp at vholtcamp@tulane.edu.