Department of Drama
Department of Drama

Introduction to the Major

What stories shape your life? What makes a moment a performance? What worlds exist in your imagination that could be made real for an audience? Human beings are hard-wired for storytelling and creativity, and the study of theater and dance puts you at the center of these ancient — and wholly modern — practices. Whether you dream of bringing down the house with a show-stopping number, designing innovative solutions for the stage and beyond, or writing the next great American play, Drama provides the intellectual rigor and hands-on experience to bring your dream to life.

Hone your craft, engage with scholarship across disciplines and build working relationships with professional artists and scholars. In an increasingly digital world, we offer real-world collaboration, communication and problem-solving: essential skills for any field. 

Which Program is Right for Me?

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Drama is intended for those who wish to enter careers in theatre, the arts or media, and for those seeking to build skills in collaboration, communication and leadership that will support most careers.

We also offer minors in Drama and Dance, providing students with opportunities to develop scholarly, practical and creative skills that complement nearly any major. 

Amplify Your Major

What Can I Do With My Major

Recent Graduates’ Jobs and Employers 

  • Fundraising Professional, Smithsonian Institution 
  • Senior Corporate Counsel, Amazon Studios 
  • Story Consultant, Pixar Animation Studios 
  • Artistic Director, Empowered Players 
  • Actor (Saturday Night Live, Grey’s Anatomy, Tectonic Theater Co., Disney Cruise Line, Spamalot Natl. Tour) 
  • Audio and Video Supervisor, Atlas Performing Arts Center 
  • Brand Manager, Johnson & Johnson 

Recent Graduate Programs 

  • Carnegie Mellon University, Video & Media Design 
  • London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Acting 
  • University of Southern California, Writing for Screen and Television 
  • Virginia Commonwealth University, Physical Therapy 
  • University of Virginia, English 
  • New York University, Dramatic Writing 

“My time in UVA Drama was unexpected but transformative. It shaped my career, helped me express myself across media and gave me a deeply supportive faculty and student community.”

Brett Estess, Class of 2024

See what our graduates are doing on LinkedIn

Alumni Network See what our graduates are up to on LinkedIn

Life of the Major

Drama, B.A.
First Year
  • Advance
    • Choose Engagement Courses that expose you to professors from a range of disciplines. 
    • Begin Discovery coursework — Drama’s introductory courses covering theater and/or dance. 
    • Review Drama major and College requirements. 
    • Start exploring your options with your pre-major advisor. 
  • Explore
  • Build
    • Join Virginia Players or Virginia Dance Committee. 
    • Sign up for the department mailing list. 
    • Attend the annual UVA Arts Welcome Picnic on Arts Grounds in the fall. 
    • Visit a Drama professor during office hours to learn about their research and practice. 
  • Prepare
    • Visit the UVA Career Center and complete Pathway U. 
    • Sign up for Handshake. 
    • Sign up for the Creative Careers community newsletter through the Career Center. 
    • Get involved in community service. 
Second Year
  • Advance
    • Continue Discovery courses and begin Learning Areas within the Drama curriculum. 
    • Complete a 2000-level DRAM or DANC course to fulfill the declaration prerequisite. 
    • Meet with your pre-major advisor to map out your remaining requirements. 
    • Once you have completed your pre-requisites, complete your major declaration form. 
  • Explore
    • Audition or serve on the design team for department productions. 
    • Apply for the Miller Arts Scholars Program — a competitive interdisciplinary community of artists with access to funding and mentorship. 
    • Consider studying abroad through UVA in London or IES Dublin — both offer strong theatre and performance opportunities. 
  • Build
  • Prepare
    • Meet with Drama faculty and Creative Industries specialists at the Career Center to explore career options, and begin building a portfolio and online presence. 
    • Explore internship opportunities in theatre, film or arts administration and attend internship fairs. 
    • Explore summer study opportunities such as workshops and intensives in theatre and dance. 
Third Year
  • Advance
    • Focus on Learning Areas and begin Focused Inquiry courses to deepen your specialization. 
    • Meet with your major advisor to review your degree progress. 
    • Begin exploring production leadership opportunities with faculty. 
  • Explore
    • Apply for an internship with the Virginia Theatre Festival, Live Arts or Charlottesville Ballet. 
    • Deepen your craft through the Virginia Players Lab Series, the New Works Festival or mainstage production leadership. 
  • Build
  • Prepare
    • Explore post-graduate options with your advisor and faculty — from MFA programs to careers in theatre, film and arts administration. 
    • Develop a professional online portfolio and social media presence with help from the Career Center or Drama faculty. 
    • Research MFA audition processes and portfolio requirements for graduate school applications. 
    • Update your LinkedIn profile to highlight your creative skills and experience. 
Fourth Year
  • Advance
    • Complete Focused Inquiry requirements and check in with your advisor to confirm all College and Drama requirements are on track. 
    • Pursue any remaining productions, performances or design work — or that one “bucket list” course you haven’t gotten to yet. 
    • Apply to graduate in the spring. 
  • Explore
  • Build
    • Join USITT to connect with professionals in theatre design and technology. 
    • Explore membership in Actors’ Equity Association or the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society depending on your career path. 
    • Contact recent graduates to learn about their post-graduate experiences. 
  • Prepare