Dramaturgy/Criticism

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Theatre School

BFAEntertainment and Performing ArtsCreativity & InnovationCreativity & InnovationIn-Person
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Admission to the Conservatory
An audition or an interview (depending on your program) is required for admission to The Theatre School; students must submit an application ​to DePaul University (naming their intended major) before they can begin the audition or interview process.
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A unique program for aspiring dramaturgs and critics

The Theatre School’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Dramaturgy/Criticism helps students explore their critical thinking and writing skills for a variety of applications in theatre, museums, archives, film, journalism, agenting, startups, oral history, and other realms, including graduate school.

The four-year curriculum provides students with tools—script analysis, dramatic theory, and new play development – and practical application of those tools in our production process.

Classes

Coursework

  • Directing
  • Dramatic Criticism
  • Dramatic Theory
  • History of Dramatic Literature
  • Script Analysis
  • Theatre Crew
  • Theatre Studies
  • Writing about the Arts

Resources

Do more with your degree

Career Options

Career
  • Dramaturg
  • Literary Manager
  • Script Analyst / Reader
  • Artistic Director
  • Content Writer / Curator
  • Educator
  • Theatre / Arts Critic or Journalist
  • Script Consultant (TV / Film / Media)
r_shteir

Featured Faculty

<div class="ck-content"> <p> <span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(28,28,28);"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:Newsreader, sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Students learn from a distinguished and award-winning faculty of professional dramaturgs, directors, and arts writers both in the classroom and through individual guidance and advising. They receive formal and informal feedback from faculty through continual evaluation of their work and portfolio presentations. ​</span> </span> </p> <p> <a href="https://www.depaul.edu/faculty/rachel-shteir"> <span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(28,28,28);"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:Newsreader, sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Rachel Shteir</span> </span> </a> <span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(28,28,28);"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:Newsreader, sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">​, Head of Dramaturgy at The Theatre School, brings extensive experience and insight to the program, guiding the next generation of theatre artists and critics.​ She was awarded a 2025 Guggenheim Fellowship: an honor recognizing her outstanding contributions as a scholar, writer, and advocate for the arts. A celebrated author and cultural critic, Shteir joins a cohort of visionary thinkers selected for their impact across the arts and humanities. The fellowship will support the completion of her forthcoming book, Why Theater Matters, under contract with Yale University Press. </span> </span> <a href="https://www.depaul.edu/news/guggenheim-fellows-2025"> <span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(28,28,28);"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:Newsreader, sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Read more about Shteir’s recognition from the Guggenheim Foundation here.</span> </span> </a> </p> </div>

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