The Theatre program in the UCSB Department of Theater and Dance strongly
encourages students to acquire an understanding of theater in many different
parts of the globe. Theatrical performance is proving to be one of the most
effective means by which different cultures can communicate with each other.
By studying abroad, we hope that students will gain a deeper understanding of
a culture different from their own and a stronger sense of the ties that bind the
world together.
The majority of the most exciting and experimental theater work is performed in one place only and does not travel. Students can therefore take advantage of EAP to travel to countries that have a vigorous theatrical culture. Practical theater work is also central to the curricula of most of the major theater departments in different countries throughout the world; so students can use performance opportunities to develop close personal and, perhaps, professional relationships with theater people in their chosen country of study.
Theater is an extraordinarily diverse discipline, which touches upon and often incorporates the arts of music, literature, painting, and many other artistic media. In choosing a university at which to study, students should also check the offerings of contingent departments as many of them might be offering courses of vital interest. You should also be aware that theater departments often specialize in the study and performance of certain genres, something that should be taken into consideration when making a choice.
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EAP offers a variety of short-term and year-long programs taught in many different languages (including English). All course units earned abroad through EAP are automatically credited toward your degree requirements.
Where you choose to study should be determined primarily by what aspect of theatre you wish to study and what theatre culture you wish to study. Fortunately universities in many of the major theatrical cities also have strong theater programs.
If you wish to study theatre in Britain, you will find Royal Holloway College, University of London offers a rich array of classes. So too do the universities of Bristol, East Anglia, Kent, Leeds and Manchester, all of which are either in cities close to London or in cities with their own vigorous professional theatre. Studying at the University of Glasgow will allow students to attend theatre in two of Europe’s most exciting theater cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Students interested in German theatre should consider the Free University in Berlin, if you wish to study Italian theatre, the Universities of Bologna or Padova, and Swedish theatre at the University of Lund. English-speaking departments of theater that students might wish to consider can be found at Trinity College, Dublin, the Universities of Melbourne, New South Wales and Queensland, and at the University of Cape Town.
There are many more exciting opportunities for study abroad, depending on one’s area of interest. Explore the theatre programs at the Universities of Chile, Ghana (Legon), Hyderabad, and Peking and at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the National University of Singapore.
Another option for theater majors is to study for a semester or summer in a location where you can fulfill general education requirements or advance your study of a language.
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You can study abroad at almost any time in your academic career. If you are studying in the Theater Studies emphasis, the most convenient time for you to study abroad will be in the junior year. Due to varying requirements, students in the Directing, Playwriting, Design, and BFA Acting emphasis should consult with area faculty before deciding when to do their foreign study. Our department faculty have had an abundance of professional and personal international experience to assist in making program decisions. You should also be aware that many universities offer summer studies in theater.
It is best to plan early for study abroad. Applications are due as much as eight months prior to the start of the program.
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Depending on your course selection, you may fulfill major and/or GE requirements with your study abroad courses.
Application of credit to major requirements will be subject to the discretion of the Department and approval of the College.
Keep in mind that at least 20 units of upper-division major coursework (or
12 upper-division minor units) must be completed in residence at UCSB
along with other residence requirements. Consult an advisor in the College of Letters & Science for more information.
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Begin by identifying your goals for study abroad and then consult the EAP web pages (http://eap.ucop.edu/) to identify appropriate EAP programs. To find programs which offer particular disciplines or to search courses taken by EAP students over the last 5 years by subject, keyword and/or location, explore the resources found under Program and Course Search. Navigate to host universities’ web sites on the available links to learn more about the schools and their departments.
Stop by the EAP office at 2431 South Hall. Peer advisors who have recently returned from studying abroad as well as staff advisors are eager to answer your questions.
Go see your department Undergraduate Advisor and a College of Letters & Science advisor to discuss major, general education, residence and other requirements.
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Department of Department of Theater and Dance
552 University Road
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-7060
Phone: (805) 893-3241
www.theaterdance.ucsb.edu
