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) program in Dramaturgy/Criticism—the only one of its kind in the United States—will hone your critical-thinking and writing skills for a variety of roles within theatre and other art forms. Dramaturgy majors develop skills in script analysis, dramatic theory and new play development.

This program exposes you to both the broad-based education of a liberal arts program and the hands-on training of a conservatory. As a dramaturgy major, you will gain additional experience through educational outreach programs in museums, community centers and schools.

You will learn from a distinguished and award-winning faculty of professional dramaturgs, critics, literary managers, directors and arts writers both in the classroom and through individual guidance and advising.

Classes

Coursework

  • Dramatic Theory
  • Ethical Decision Making in the Theatre
  • History of Dramatic Literature
  • Script Analysis
  • Theatre Crew
  • Theatre Studies

Resources

Do more with your degree

Career Options

Career
  • Broadway production
  • Criticism
  • Directing
  • Film production
  • Literary management
  • Playwriting
  • Production dramaturgy
  • Television production
  • Theatre history
  • Workshop educator​​
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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