B.A. in Drama

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Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Drama offers students a broad and rigorous undergraduate education grounded in the study and practice of theatre. Drama is both a literary art and a live, collaborative form that brings together performance, storytelling, design, and critical inquiry. Students engage with dramatic works spanning more than three thousand years, from classical traditions to contemporary voices, while developing an understanding of global performance practices drawn from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The B.A. in Drama is part of a larger liberal arts education that encourages students to examine history, politics, psychology, aesthetics, technology, and human behavior through the lens of theatre. The program balances intellectual depth with hands-on creative practice, preparing students for a wide range of future paths, including professional theatre, graduate study, and careers that value creativity, communication, and collaboration.

Program of Study

The B.A. in Drama provides comprehensive exposure to the major areas of theatre study and practice. Coursework includes acting, directing, design, playwriting, stage management, theatre production, and dramatic theory, criticism, literature, and history. Students explore theatre as both an artistic discipline and a cultural practice, developing analytical skills alongside creative ones.

A defining feature of the program is active participation in production work. Throughout their time at UC Irvine, students take part in department productions as actors, designers, directors, writers, technicians, or stage managers. Auditions for all Drama productions are open to undergraduates, and some productions are cast exclusively with undergraduate students, offering meaningful performance and production opportunities.

Advanced coursework is available to students in all areas, including the opportunity to take graduate-level coursework alongside M.F.A. students. This is particularly true in the Design programs, where advanced undergraduate students may be invited into almost all of the coursework in Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Sound, and Projection Design.

Learn more about the Honors Program for the Bachelor of Arts 

Admission

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the University of California, Irvine, students interested in the B.A. in Drama should demonstrate an interest in theatre and a readiness for both creative and academic study. While prior theatre experience is helpful, it is not required. Students develop skills progressively through coursework, mentorship, and production involvement.

Learning Outcomes

The UC Irvine Bachelor of Arts in Drama program is designed to provide graduates with an overview of all facets of Drama. The B.A. program is organized to:

• Encourage an appreciation for the skills, contributions, and importance of theatre in the development of one’s community.
• Advance knowledge of the history of theatre.
• Increase creativity in thinking and writing.
• Foster deeper critical and analytical thinking about the world through the study of theatre.
• Strengthen collaborative skills and effective communication.
• Develop curious, compassionate, and engaged global citizens.
• Support effective participation in performance and production.

Career Opportunities

Does an undergraduate degree in Drama lead directly to a career in theatre or film? Sometimes, yes. UC Irvine alumni have gone on to successful careers as actors, directors, designers, playwrights, producers, and educators working in theatre, film, television, and higher education.

At the same time, professional artistic careers are highly competitive and difficult to sustain. Success requires talent, training, dedication, adaptability, and often a measure of luck. A B.A. in Drama does not guarantee a professional career in theatre or film, but it does provide a strong foundation for creative and intellectually engaged work.

Graduates of the program pursue careers in fields such as education, arts administration, media, law, business, public service, and graduate study, as well as professional performance and production. The skills developed through theatre study—critical thinking, collaboration, storytelling, empathy, and creative leadership—are increasingly valued across a wide range of professions.