UCI Department of Drama

The Department of Drama at the University of California, Irvine (UCI Drama) is a prestigious institution that forms one of the four departments within the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. It is renowned for its comprehensive educational programs, including undergraduate and graduate studies, and a unique Ph.D. program in Drama conducted jointly with UC San Diego—the first of its kind in the nation. ===History=== UCI Drama's origins trace back to the founding of the campus in 1965. Clayton Garrison, the inaugural Chairman of the Arts Department, was instrumental in establishing the Arts as a school rather than a department. Garrison became the founding dean of what was then called the School of Fine Arts. Alongside Garrison, the initial Drama faculty included Robert Cohen, teaching directing and dramatic literature, and Richard Triplett, focusing on design. The department's first productions were staged in the Little Theatre in Humanities Hall and featured a blend of community actors and students due to the small number of drama majors at the time. The department quickly gained traction within the local community, and by the following year, it implemented a policy that only full-time UCI students or faculty could be cast in productions. This led to the creation of the Students' Repertory Theatre, later renamed the Irvine Repertory Theatre, which presented numerous plays annually. Throughout the years, the department experienced significant growth and transition. It introduced two-year MFA programs and welcomed new faculty members, leading to the expansion of its curricular offerings. By the 1980s, the MFA programs had reached pre-eminent status through increased degree requirements, national auditions, and the development of a fully integrated curriculum. The 1990s saw the department mature with a faculty of over 25 full-time members and a student population exceeding 400. The Irvine Barclay Theatre became an additional venue for staging productions. The introduction of a Ph.D. program and the strengthening of core performance programs marked this era of growth. ===Global Influence and Diversity=== By the turn of the 21st century, UCI Drama had established a global presence, with faculty and students engaging in teaching, directing, designing, and touring internationally. The department has emphasized diversity studies, with programs dedicated to Asian and Asian-American theatre, African American theatre, and LGBTQ+ theatre. ===Facilities and Technology=== UCI Drama boasts state-of-the-art venues and labs that are accessible to students through academic courses and productions. The department's facilities have been enhanced by generous donations, including a ten million dollar gift in honor of actress Claire Trevor, which led to the renovation of the school's principal stages and the renaming of the school itself. ===Notable Contributions and Alumni=== UCI Drama alumni have gone on to found repertory companies, write award-winning plays, and achieve success in acting and design across Broadway, regional theatres, and in film and television. The department's impact is further evidenced by its New Swan Shakespeare Festival and the UCI Theatre Guild, which supports the innovative academic research, artistic explorations, and performance experiences at the department. ===Current and Future Directions=== Under the leadership of various chairs, UCI Drama continues to evolve, with new faculty appointments and the creation of degrees such as the BFA in Music Theatre. The department remains committed to exploring current and future technologies, as well as maintaining its reputation as a leading institution for theatre education and performance. In summary, the Department of Drama at the Claire Trevor