Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies (ITS) is a cross-campus coalition of faculty who research and teach in drama, theatre, and performance studies. Together, we offer a truly interdisciplinary program of study for the MA, PhD, and doctoral minor. ITS consists of more than two dozen faculty from more than a dozen departments and programs. ITS students ground their studies in theatre history, dramatic literature, and performance theory, and go on to develop innovative research that demonstrates the intellectual capaciousness that is a hallmark of theatre and performance studies as a field.

The Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies Program prepares PhD students to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary research in theatre studies and to conduct inquiry through scholarly research, practice as research, and meaningful teaching experiences. Through rigorous coursework enhanced by the study of, and participation in, various forms of theatre and performance practice, the PhD program prepares graduates for positions as college and university researchers and instructors, as well as public intellectuals and scholar/practitioners. Students with a background in theatre by, with, and for children and youth may apply to specialize in theatre for youth.

The program’s core and affiliate faculty are leaders in theatre and performance studies, whose scholarship, practice, and leadership in the profession are recognized nationally and abroad. The core faculty’s strengths include global dramatic literatures, theatre history and historiography, theatre and cultural theory, the theory and practice of theatre for youth, and relational performance. Our affiliate faculty expand the coursework and advising available to students, incorporating related fields of visual cultures, anthropology, art and art history, literary and theatre studies across English and non-English-speaking traditions, music, new media and digital design, gender and women's studies, and other disciplines.

The program attracts students from across the United States as well as internationally. It creates opportunities for students to engage in teaching and practice as part of their research. It also encourages students to participate in national and international professional meetings, working groups, and colloquia; and to share their art and research through practice and publication in their field.

Admissions

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Applicants must include in their application with a one to two page Reasons for Graduate Study statement explaining the candidate’s reasons for pursuing graduate study. Statements should include in specific detail the applicant’s area of interest, possible research questions and methodological focus, and future goals. Additionally, applicants will submit 15-20 page writing sample. Writing samples reflecting the applicant’s skills in theatre and drama research are preferred. Applications are reviewed on the basis of the prospective student’s previous academic record, references, personal statement, and writing sample.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

PhD students receive 5 years of funding through a combination of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and project assistantships. Most ITS students are funded through teaching assistantships, including Engl/Theatre 120:  Introduction to Theatre and Dramatic Literature. These courses provide opportunities for students to develop their own teaching styles and skills.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

Mode of Instruction

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses

Students must choose all courses in consultation with their faculty advisor to meet the following requirements.

Graduate Seminar Electives, related to Theatre Studies

Footnotes

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Up to two courses may be taken with individual faculty members during the program. No more than one independent study may be taken with any one faculty member, either within or outside the department. Exceptions must be presented in writing with advisor approval to the Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies core faculty.

Preliminary Exam 

After the final semester of course-work and fulfillment of the practicum requirements, students must pass the comprehensive Preliminary Exam to be advanced to Dissertator status. 

Dissertator Status

Once a student has obtained dissertator status, they will enroll in exactly 3 credits of ENGL 990 Dissertation Research in English each term up to degree completion

Dissertation Proposal

A one hour oral defense of the dissertation proposal conducted by the candidate’s dissertation committee. This exam is typically taken one semester after passing the preliminary exam, and must be taken before the end of the second semester following the preliminary exam.

Dissertation Defense

The culminating project of the PhD degree, the dissertation is an original and substantial contribution to knowledge that establishes the student as a scholar and professional in the field of theatre studies. The PhD degree is awarded after a successful two hour defense of the thesis before the candidate’s thesis committee.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

With program approval, students may transfer no more than 18 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

With program approval, students may transfer up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above with the “Grad 50%” designation from UW-Madison towards the minimum credit requirement. These credits are not allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless numbered 700 or above from UW-Madison. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements. Credits earned at other institutions do not transfer.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Credits earned as a Professional student at UW-Madison do not transfer.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW-Madison

With program approval, students may transfer up to 15 credits numbered 700 or above earned as a University Special student. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Probation

Students are reviewed annually by the program faculty and may be placed on probation if they are not making satisfactory progress on program requirements.

Advisor / Committee

The dissertation must be prepared under supervision of their program advisor.

The dissertation committee consists of four faculty members—the student's advisor, at least two additional faculty members from Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, and at least one member from another department.  At least three committee members must serve as readers, responsible for reading the entire dissertation closely.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.

Time Limits

The Dissertation proposal defense must be completed before the end of the second regular semester following the Preliminary exam.

Per Graduate School policy, doctoral students have five years from the date of passing preliminary examination to take the final oral examination and deposit the dissertation. Students may petition for an additional one-year extension. Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
  • Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

L&S Policy for Graduate Student Academic Appeals

Graduate students have the right to appeal an academic decision related to an L&S graduate program if the student believes that the decision is inconsistent with published policy.

Academic decisions that may be appealed include: 

• Dismissal from the graduate program
• Failure to pass a qualifying or preliminary examination
• Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress
• Academic disciplinary action related to failure to meet professional conduct standards

Issues such as the following cannot be appealed using this process:

• A faculty member declining to serve as a graduate student’s advisor.
• Decisions regarding the student’s disciplinary knowledge, evaluation of the quality of work, or similar judgements. These are the domain of the department faculty.
• Course grades. These can be appealed instead using the L&S Policy for Grade Appeal.
• Incidents of bias or hate, hostile and intimidating behavior, or discrimination (Title IX, Office of Compliance). Direct these to the linked campus offices appropriate for the incident(s).

Appeal Process for Graduate Students

A graduate student wishing to appeal an academic decision must follow the process in the order listed below. Note time limits within each step.

1. The student should first seek informal resolution, if possible, by discussing the concern with their academic advisor, the department’s Director of Graduate Studies, and/or the department chair.
2. If the program has an appeal policy listed in their graduate program handbook, the student should follow the policy as written, including adhering to any indicated deadlines. In the absence of a specific departmental process, the chair or designee will be the reviewer and decision maker, and the student should submit a written appeal to the chair within 15 business days of the academic decision. The chair or designee will notify the student in writing of their decision.
3. If the departmental process upholds the original decision, the graduate student may next initiate an appeal to L&S. To do so, the student must submit a written appeal to the L&S Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs within 15 business days of notification of the department’s decision.
   1. To the fullest extent possible, the written appeal should include, in a single document: a clear and concise statement of the academic decision being appealed, any relevant background on what led to the decision, the specific policies involved, the relief sought, any relevant documentation related to the departmental appeal, and the names and titles of any individuals contributing to or involved in the decision.
   2. The Assistant Dean will work with the Academic Associate Dean of the appropriate division to consider the appeal. They may seek additional information and/or meetings related to the case. 
   3. The Assistant Dean and Academic Associate Dean will provide a written decision within 20 business days.
4. If L&S upholds the original decision, the graduate student may appeal to the Graduate School. More information can be found on their website: Grievances and Appeals (see: Graduate School Appeal Process).

Other

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Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Program Resources

ITS student life includes an active program of colloquia and speakers, annual short play festivals, and a yearly conference organized by ITS graduate students.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of the theory, history, and practice of drama and theatre as collaborative cultural forms across historical periods.
2. Master the methods and materials of theatre and performance research and writing in order to produce original scholarly projects that range in complexity from term papers to dissertations.
3. Develop methods for theatre and performance practice and theory in order to test the reciprocal relations between research and practice through reflective participation in the production process.
4. Identify and distinguish among the diverse global locations of theatre and the intercultural contact among theatre traditions, especially as these multiply in the modern and contemporary periods.
5. Prepare for future careers combining theatre and performance scholarship, teaching, and/or practice.
6. Demonstrate professionalization in the discipline of theatre through participation in conferences and submission of work to scholarly journals.