The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance

==Department of Theatre and Dance - The University of Texas at Austin== The '''Department of Theatre and Dance''' at the University of Texas at Austin stands as a premier institution for higher education in the performing arts. Established in 1938, it holds the distinction of being the first university theatre program in the state of Texas. The department has since grown into one of the largest theatre and dance programs in the United States, boasting 50 full-time faculty and staff, 400 undergraduate students, and 70 graduate students. ===History=== The origins of the Department of Theatre and Dance can be traced back to 1908 when English Professor Stark Young, who would later become a prominent drama critic for the ''New York Times'', founded the Curtain Club at the university. This club was an all-university, extra-curricular group dedicated to dramatic expression and set the stage for the establishment of the Department of Drama three decades later. Under the leadership of its first chair, James H. Parke, the department began with a modest team of four instructors offering nine courses. The subsequent years saw the development of specialized curricula, with E.P. Conkle initiating the playwriting program in 1939 and James Moll creating the first acting curriculum in 1941. The department's growth continued with B. Iden Payne's introduction of an annual Shakespearean production in 1946 and Lucy Barton's establishment of a costume design degree in 1948. F. Loren Winship, who served as chair from 1948-1968, oversaw significant milestones, including the introduction of the master of fine arts degree in drama and the construction of the drama building that is now named in his honor. The department's reputation for excellence in directing, design, and theatre for young audiences was solidified through the contributions of faculty members such as Francis Hodge, John Reese Rothgeb, Coleman A. Jennings, and others. The dance program, initially established by Shirlee Dodge in 1945, gained prominence with the hiring of ballet star Igor Youskevitch in 1971. Subsequent leaders like Yacov Sharir and Sharon Vasquez continued to develop the program, leading to the establishment of the Dance Repertory Theatre in 1982. In recognition of the dance program's significance, the department was renamed to the Department of Theatre and Dance in 1991. The department has also been instrumental in providing programs for elementary and high school students, including a drama teacher training program and the UT Summer Theatre Workshop. Dr. Oscar G. Brockett, a preeminent theatre historian, joined the university in 1978 and contributed to the department's scholarly reputation by building a top-ranked theatre doctoral program focusing on theatre history and criticism. ===Accreditation=== The Department of Theatre and Dance is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) and a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA). ===Alumni=== The department's alumni have made significant contributions to the arts, with many featured on stage, television, and film. They have been recognized with prestigious awards including Academy Awards, Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. ===Contact Information=== For inquiries, the department can be reached at: Theatre and Dance Inquiry Telephone: 512-471-5793 Email: theatreanddance@utexas.edu ==External Links== * [Official Website of the Department of Theatre and Dance - The University of Texas at Austin](https://theatreanddance.utexas.edu/) [[Category:University of Texas at Austin]] [[Category:Drama schools in the United States]] [[Category:Dance organizations]] [[Category:Performing arts education in the United States]]