Shine a Light.
Theater is a tool for looking inward and for looking at the world.
At UCI Drama, you’ll join artists and scholars who bring the experience and passion to help you find and shine your light.
Message from the Chair of the Department of Drama
Welcome to the UC Irvine Department of Drama! Since 1965, we have combined the rigorous, hands-on training of a theatre conservatory with the intellectual and innovative opportunities of a world-class research university, elevating generations of creative artists, scholars, and leaders. Everyone is welcome here in our community of discovery, creativity, and connection, where we collaborate to create transformative theatrical experiences.
Undergraduate Programs
Start Your Training
Explore acting, design, and production while developing your voice as a creative artist and thinker.
Graduate Programs
Advance Your Practice
Achieve professional-level expertise through advanced study grounded in technical precision and innovation.
Find Your Path
Prospective Students
Undergraduate Students
On Stage
Noises Off
Noises Off is a brilliantly crafted, side-splitting farce that pulls back the curtain on a theater company ...
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The Green Knight
During Christmastime at King Arthur’s court, in the midst of court revelry, a stranger, a giant green knigh...
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Little Women: The Broadway Musical
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, Little Women follows the lives of the March sisters as the...
View EventSpotlight in the Department of Drama
Shakespeare with a twist
David Golbeck named 2026 Alumni Mace Marshal for Claire Trevor School of the Arts
Graduation Spotlight Series: Backstage, from UC Irvine to Broadway
A New Play Finds Its Form at UCI Drama
UCI Arts Alumnus Andrew Tarr Joins University of Oklahoma Faculty
Renowned Faculty Shaping Theater’s Future
The faculty of UCI Drama are nationally and internationally recognized artists, scholars and educators whose expertise spans acting, directing, design, playwriting, musical theatre, history, theory and performance studies. Their work connects stage and scholarship, fostering both rigorous training and creative exploration. Together, they prepare students to excel as performers, creators and thinkers shaping the future of theater and performance.
Upcoming Events
New Swan Shakespeare Festival 2026
All performances at 8 p.m.
Join us under the stars for a magical summer as New Swan Shakespeare Festival...
In the News
Shakespeare with a twist
2026 Medici Circle Scholars
Art Beyond the Edge
Alumni work as actors, directors, designers, stage managers, producers, teachers, and scholars. Many go on to graduate training programs or professional theatre companies.
Yes. Departmental scholarships are awarded annually, often based on audition or portfolio review, academic merit, or financial need.
Drama students are supported by academic counselors in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, along with peer academic advisors who are current students.
Yes. Undergraduates and graduate students audition for roles in all productions. There are some workshop productions that are designed to provide specific opportunities for grad students, but there are frequently roles for undergrads as well.
You can find these on our Facilities page.
You can find these on our Facilities page.
Yes! but also No!! Mega Auditions are the entry point for mainstage casting. However, students can also be involved in workshops, classes, and student-run projects outside of this process, and these productions have their own auditions.
Yes. All UCI students are eligible for federal, state, and institutional aid.
About 45 minutes to one hour by car, depending on traffic.
The Drama Department presents multiple mainstage productions each season, including classics, contemporary plays, and new works. Additional workshops and student-led projects also happen throughout the year.
Many diverse student and faculty concerts take place throughout the year, some free admission and some ticketed. Visit the Claire Trevor School of the Arts events calendar to view upcoming concerts, recitals, and performances hosted by the Music Department.
UCI Arts Events Calendar
Visitors may park in the Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) or Student Center Parking Structure (SCPS). Paid visitor permits are required and can be purchased at kiosks or via the ParkMobile app.
Parking Information
Find information about visitor parking, including rates, here. We recommend parking in the Mesa Parking Structure.
