Performance as Public Practice

Performance as Public Practice at New Works Festival
Performance as Public Practice

The Performance as Public Practice program focuses on the historical development, cultural and theoretical contexts, and artistic significance of theatre, dance and performance disciplines and institutions.

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Contact

pppadmissions@utexas.edu

The Performance as Public Practice (PPP) program is hosting two zoom-based admissions information sessions for all interested prospective students. The sessions will be led by PPP faculty and current students. If you would like to attend please fill out this form to reserve your spot.
 
 
Session dates and times (via Zoom): 
Monday, 10/28 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Saturday, 11/9 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. (CST)
The University of Texas at Austin's Performance as Public Practice program focuses on the historical development, cultural and theoretical contexts, and artistic significance of theatre, dance and performance disciplines and institutions, as well as the interrelationships of these fields and the role of performance in public spheres. The program is highly influenced by interdisciplinary work in performance studies, defining performance in varied and wide cultural contexts. Students are expected to give primary attention to an area of expertise of their choice, while training in the broader theoretical, critical and historical contexts of the field. Our internationally renowned program admits approximately five to seven applicants each year and offers three degrees: M.A., M.F.A. and Ph.D.
 
Students have access to world-class research centers such as the Nettie Benson Latin American Collection, the Harry Ransom Center and the LBJ Presidential Library. The Performance as Public Practice Program and the Department of Theatre and Dance have interdisciplinary associations with Center for Mexican American Studies, the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies and Texas Performing Art. Students have many opportunities to take courses across the university and can also pursue portfolio certification programs in such areas as African and African Diaspora Studies, Mexican American and Latino/a Studies and Women's and Gender Studies. The program is also an affiliate member of the Hemispheric Institute.

Performance
Theatre, Dance, Culture, Ritual and Identity

Performance reflects and produces cultural, historical and political meanings. Students examine a wide range of performances, text and embodied practices in order to consider the myriad ways in which performance both reflects and makes cultural, historical and political meanings.

Public
Policy, Activism and Leadership

Public refers variously to the social impact and scope of performance works, community engagement projects and activities, as well as public policy studies and development. It also refers to multiple identities and political positions, as well as materialist histories.

Practice
Directing, Criticism, Performing, Dramaturgy, Pedagogy and Historiography

Practice encompasses the doing of performance and acts related to that doing. Students conduct performance-based research, and have the opportunity to work with local professional companies and departmental productions, develop site-specific performances, and collaborate and create performances for the biennial Cohen New Works Festival.

Students with only an undergraduate degree must apply to either the M.A. or the M.F.A. degree program; an M.A. or M.F.A. is required for admission directly to the Ph.D. Students who finish the M.A. or the M.F.A. program may apply to continue on to the Ph.D. program; decided on a case-by-case basis. All students in our program take specific core courses, but emphasis is placed on interdisciplinarity by requiring a variety of elective courses within and outside our department and at least one practice-focused course. Students determine their own research foci and goals in collaboration with their advisor and the faculty.    

Program Guides

Performance as Public Practice (M.A. in Theatre)

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Performance as Public Practice (M.F.A. in Theatre)

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Performance as Public Practice (Ph.D. in Theatre)

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publications PPP

Core Faculty Publications

PPP alumni in Payne Lobby

Alumni in the Field

 

Meet the Faculty

  • Charlotte M. Canning

    Learn about Dr. Charlotte Canning's scholarly and feminist writing about the history of theatre and performance.
    Professor, Performance as Public Practice / Head, Oscar G. Brockett Center for Theatre History and Criticism
    Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Centennial Professor in Drama

  • Eric Colleary

    Learn about Eric Colleary, the Cline Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts at the Harry Ransom Center
    Lecturer, Performance as Public Practice
    Cline Curator of Theater & Performing Arts, Harry Ransom Center

  • Madge Darlington

    Learn more about Madge Darlington, a producer, director and an Assistant Professor of Instruction.
    Assistant Professor of Instruction, Performance as Public Practice
    Undergraduate Executive Committee Member

  • Raquel Monroe

    Read more about Raquel Monroe, Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Academic Affairs
    Professor, Performance as Public Practice
    Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Academic Affairs

  • Rebecca Rossen

    Learn about dance historian and performance scholar Rebecca Rossen
    Area Head, Performance as Public Practice
    Associate Professor, Performance as Public Practice

  • Lisa B. Thompson

    Find out about scholar and playwright Dr. Lisa B. Thompson's work focusing on Black feminist theory, theatre, film, Black popular culture and literature.
    Professor, Performance as Public Practice
    Patton Professor, African and African Diaspora Studies
    Fellow of the Ransom Chair
    Advisor to the Dean for Faculty Mentoring and Support, College of Liberal Arts

Performance as Public Practice Affiliate Faculty

The Performance as Public Program seeks to establish and maintain connections with faculty across the University whose research and teaching engages performance.

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in the News

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