PhD in Theatre Arts and Performance Studies
Providence, USA
PhD
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The PhD programme in Theatre Arts and Performance Studies at Brown offers a flexible, student-centered path that blends practice and theory. Students design interdisciplinary research across performance studies, dramaturgy, theatre history, production and cultural studies, and work with faculty mentors. The curriculum supports hands-on training, teaching experience, presentation of research and collaborative projects, helping you develop scholarly and creative expertise and independent research skills development.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter academic roles (professor, lecturer, researcher), theatre practice (director, dramaturg, playwright), arts leadership (administrator, curator), and applied roles (critic, educator, consultant). Skills include pedagogy, research methods, performance analysis and project leadership.
The PhD program in Theatre Arts and Performance Studies offers a flexible, student-centered approach to exploring theatre and performance. It emphasizes both practical skills and theoretical knowledge, encouraging students to develop their own research projects within a supportive environment. The program is designed to be interdisciplinary, allowing students to engage with various aspects of performance, including history, theory, production, and cultural studies. Students often work closely with faculty mentors, gaining hands-on experience while also contributing to ongoing academic conversations in theatre arts.
The program aims to prepare students for careers in academia, research, and the arts. It provides opportunities for teaching, presenting research, and participating in collaborative projects. Along the way, students learn to critically analyze performances and explore their cultural contexts. The curriculum is tailored to support individual interests, helping students build a strong foundation in both scholarly and creative aspects of theatre and performance. It strives to foster independent thinking, enabling graduates to advance in their chosen paths with confidence and expertise.
