Theater and Dance Department

Programs

Honors Program

See "Honors Program" under the curriculum section of the catalog and consult either the Dance Office Manager, the Theater Studies Academic Degree Program Coordinator, or the Creative Writing Program Coordinator.

Interested students with the requisite GPA will identify a potential advisor and submit an Honors proposal in April of their junior year. The Academic Procedures Committee of the department or program makes the selection of the Honors participants.

Theater Studies

All Theater Studies Honors candidates will complete the Aesthetics and Criticism Senior Seminar (THEA 490WR) in the fall of their senior year and the Theater Studies Honors course (THEA 495R) in the spring of their senior year, culminating in the research project or paper that is the equivalent of a BA or BS thesis.

Playwriting

Interested Playwriting majors with the requisite GPA will submit their Honors proposal according to the Creative Writing guidelines, with an application deadline in March of their junior year.  Selection of Playwriting Honors candidates is made by the Playwriting advisors in consultation with the Academic Procedures Committees in both Theater Studies and Creative Writing.

Creative Writing Honors Guidelines are available via this link.

Playwriting Honors candidates who have their application accepted are either enrolled in Honors in Playwriting (ENG or THEA 494RWR) both fall and spring semesters of their senior year, or complete the Aesthetics and Criticism Senior Seminar (THEA 490WR) in the fall semester and Honors in Playwriting in the spring.

Dance

For Dance Honors coursework information, please consult the Dance Program.

For information pertaining to Scholarly Inquiry and Research at Emory (SIRE) grants, see the Independent Study and Research section.

Study Abroad

Study abroad programs and opportunities are developed and provided through Emory's Center for International Programs Abroad (CIPA). (www.cipa.emory.edu)

Theater Studies has three approved study abroad opportunities:

The Accademia dell'Arte program in Arezzo, Italy, includes courses in Italian language and theater, design, scene painting, costume design, commedia/mask, commedia skills, voice and performance, and studio/production. This study abroad opportunity will fulfill one semester of the language requirement in Italian. Visit www.dell-arte.org for more information.

The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is designed for performing arts majors and minors, providing students with conservatory theater training in acting. Training is based on three central elements: acting (including improvisation), movement (including movement theater, clown, and historic dance), and voice (including poetry, prose, solo and chorus singing). Visit http://www.lamda.org.uk for more information.

The British Studies Emory College Summer Program includes courses in Shakespeare and often, contemporary British Drama.  The program includes visits to Stratford-upon-Avon, London, and the Oxford environs and has frequently included a special five-day trip to Scotland that visits cultural and historical venues in Edinburgh and St. Andrews.

For information on the Dance Program's study abroad opportunities, consult with the Dance Program faculty.

Advising

Each Theater Studies major and minor is assigned a mentor advisor--ideally this is a faculty member in the student's main area of interest--whom they have gotten to know through a class or a production.

Playwriting Majors are assigned an advisor from either the Creative Writing or Theater Studies faculty.  Available advisors for Playwriting majors are identified by the Chair of Theater Studies and the Director of the Creative Writing Program.

For students involved with Theater Emory, Theater Studies often provides acting and/or vocal coaching to ensure the most meaningful experience possible. It is made clear to the professional artists involved in the productions that part of their role is to serve as models and mentors for the students.

All Dance majors and minors are assigned a faculty advisor to assist them in planning their course of study. Advisors also facilitate research projects, internships, and off-campus study opportunities.

Language Study

The semester abroad program in Arezzo, Italy, fulfills one semester of the College language requirement in Italian.

Internship

Theater, Dance, and Playwriting students may receive credit for approved internships with local organizations.  Playwriting students may receive credit for approved internships either through the English Department or Theater Studies.

Dance, Theater, and Creative Writing faculty help students find appropriate internships for their skills and interests.

Students may receive credit for summer internships through the Emory University Summer Internship Program (EUSIP), a no-cost, non-residential program for either paid or unpaid internships. One credit that fulfills federal labor requirements may be earned through a non-tuition based course.

Awards and Honors

Theater Honors and Prizes

The Alice N. Benston Award in Theater Studies is awarded annually by the departmental faculty to one or two graduating seniors or recent graduates who have shown exceptional dedication, promise, and intellectual rigor, to encourage their continuing education in theater.

The Friends of Theater at Emory Award annually recognizes students who have made outstanding contributions to Theater Emory.

The Fine Award honors a junior or senior major or minor in Theater Studies for outstanding acting.

The Brenda Bynum Theater at Emory Award is given to the student who has offered selfless and generous contributions of time, ability, and enthusiasm to the Theater @ Emory community, which includes the Theater Studies Department, Theater Emory, and Student Theater.

Dance Honors and Prizes

The Sally A. Radell Friends of Dance Summer Scholarship Program was established in 1996 to make summer dance study more accessible to Emory students. It enables dance majors and minors to study either in the United States or abroad with notable practicing artists, dance programs, and dance companies of their choice.

The Pioneer Award is given to a senior dance major or minor who is "breaking new ground." This award recognizes creative application and creative potential in the field of dance. It is defined by an in-depth investigation in technique, performance, choreography, or movement studies.

Playwriting Awards

The Creative Writing Program awards prizes in poetry, fiction, and drama, including the Artistine Mann Award in Playwriting. Students interested in submitting entries should watch for the contest announcements early in the spring semester or consult the department.

Other Arts Awards

Emory College of Arts and Sciences awards the Sudler Prize in the arts each year for outstanding student achievement in studio art, creative writing, dance, music, or theater. Students are nominated by the department and selected by the Sudler Committee.

The Woman's Club Arts Scholarship is an academic scholarship given to a student in dance, film, music, or theater studies. The award rotates among departments each year.

Independent Research and Study

Theater Studies and Playwriting:

1. Directed Study in Theater (THEA 397R) and Creative Writing: Independent Study (ENG 397WR). Independent readings and research under the direction of a faculty member.

2. Senior Project (THEA 497) and Special Project in Theater (THEA 499R). Supervised projects in any area of theater. 

3. Tutorials for advanced students in dramaturgy, design, administration, and acting.

4. Laboratories in production and acting.

Dance:

Independent study projects in dance can be arranged in the areas of technical production, choreography, historical or theoretical research, performance, directing, or choreography.

Undergraduate Research Grants:

Scholarly Inquiry and Research at Emory (SIRE) research grants are available to students for both independent and Honors projects. Dance, Theater, and Creative Writing faculty mentor students through both the application process and projects.

Theater Emory

Theater Emory, our resident professional theater, produces seasons in partnership with the department and offers undergraduates the opportunity to perform and work with professional actors, directors, designers, dramaturgs, technicians, and administrators. Highly respected within Atlanta's theater community, Theater Emory functions as a laboratory in which students work with faculty and guest artists in theatrical research productions. The Playwriting Center of Theater Emory hosts a biennial Brave New Works Festival focused on the development of new plays; commissions new scripts, brings playwrights to campus, and supports the work of playwriting students. Excellent teaching and mentoring are high priorities for the faculty; interaction occurs in a variety of settings: small classes, individual consultations, master classes, rehearsals, and performances.

The Emory Dance Company produces two concerts annually featuring choreography by faculty, guest artists, and students, as well as interdisciplinary projects performed in a variety of venues.