University of Maryland - College Park

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School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies

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2810 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park, Maryland 20742
301.405.6676
smille13@umd.edu

DEGREES OFFERED

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
Bachelor of Arts in Dance
Master of Fine Arts in Design
Master of Fine Arts in Dance
Master of Arts/Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre and Performance Studies

The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) at the University of Maryland (UMD) offers undergraduate and graduate programs that rank among the top in the country. The school creates a rich and productive learning environment that is part of a larger, comprehensive liberal arts experience provided in part by the College of Arts & Humanities and with the resources of a public research university. TDPS encourages the development of inclusive and diverse cultural perspectives. Students develop fundamental life skills, intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, problem solving, embodied learning and emotional intelligence—creatively applied to advance human welfare in all its dimensions. Alumni transition to a rich variety of career pathways within and outside of theatre and dance professions, working as arts managers, choreographers, directors, performers, designers, lawyers, business entrepreneurs, professors, published authors, teachers and consultants. The school serves locally and nationally as a model for collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship. The educational offerings in TDPS are administered by 16 tenured or tenure-track faculty; numerous adjunct faculty, international guest artists, visiting scholars; 6 administrative staff; and 56 graduate associates. We currently serve about 150 undergraduates in the B.A. Theatre program, about 60 undergraduates in the B.A. Dance program, 27 graduate students in the M.F.A. Design program, 9 graduate students in the M.F.A. Dance program, and 21 graduate students in the M.A./Ph.D. Theatre and Performance Studies program. Visiting artists and scholars regularly enhance these programs and provide additional perspectives that enhance the student experience.

Acceptance Rate:

The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) has an overall acceptance rate of 45%. While there isn't specific data available for the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, UMD is a moderately selective school.

Faculty Info:

Jennifer Barclay, Melissa Blanco Borelli, Karen Bradley, Andrew Cissna, Daniel Conway, Crystal Davis, Adriane Fang, Leslie Felbain, Marielis Garcia, Patricia Gillespie, James Harding, Franklin J. Hildy, Helen Huang, Misha Kachman, Maura Keefe, Brian MacDevitt, Caitlin Marshall, Alvin Mayes, Jared Mezzocchi, Lisa Nathans, William Patterson, Sara Pearson, Kendra Portier, Scot Reese, Leigh Wilson Smiley, Daniel MacLean Wagner, Anne Warren, Patrik Widrig, Alcine J. Wiltz.

Winners Announced For The 2025 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards
by BWW Awards - January 12, 2026

Winners have been announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! The 2025 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.

by BWW Awards - December 29, 2025

Signature, Keegan, and 1st Stage Lead Wins at 41st Annual Helen Hayes Awards
by Joshua Wright - May 20, 2025

The 41st Helen Hayes Awards took place on May 19, 2025, at The Anthem, honoring excellence in Washington D.C. theatre. Signature Theatre led with six wins. Awards were presented in 41 categories from 165 eligible 2024 productions.

Winners Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards
by BWW Awards - February 01, 2024

Winners have been announced for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! The 2023 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Washington, DC Awards; Voting Ends 12/31
by BWW Awards - December 26, 2023

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Washington, DC Awards; RIDE THE CYCLONE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, & More Lead!
by BWW Awards - December 18, 2023

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards December 5th Standings; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - December 05, 2023

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - November 27, 2023

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

First Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards; Signature Theatre Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - November 13, 2023

The first wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 13th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

School Spotlight: University of Maryland - School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
by Carian Lynée Parker - July 07, 2022

Located in the greater Washington, D.C. area, students are offered unparalleled opportunities for engagement with professional opportunities throughout the region, as well as in New York City and Los Angeles. The curriculum is focused on student engagement and professional development through partnerships with internationally renowned institutions such as Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, The Kennedy Center and Woolly Mammoth.

Jacob's Pillow Announces Full Schedule of Virtual Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - July 01, 2020

Jacob's Pillow, home to the longest-running dance festival in the United States, launches a Virtual Festival with eight weeks of free programming, July 7-August 29.

Kennedy Center Presents the 17th Annual Page-to-Stage New Play Festival
by Julie Musbach - August 07, 2018

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosts its 17th annual Page-to-Stage New Play Festival from Saturday, September 1 through Monday, September 3, 2018. The festival is a free three-day celebration of local theater featuring more than 60 companies from the D.C. metropolitan area. Theaters and artists in Page-to-Stage present open rehearsals, concert readings, and workshops of new plays that are often still in the development phase. Audience members may choose to engage in the creation through participatory activities or partake in post-presentation discussions with the artists, helping to shape future productions of the playwrights' works.

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