Programs in dramatic arts teach people the history and styles of acting in theatre or film performances. Students learn about the common themes that appear in major dramatic works across time. They study different genres of dramatic literature. They also study methods for producing and directing live or filmed theatrical performances.

Do you remember the joy at Halloween of putting on masks, makeup, costumes, and assuming the identity of someone (or something!) else? Have you ever seen someone play a role in a movie or television show and have a hard time remembering that s/he has an identity outside of that character? Do you believe it's important for a person to walk in other people's shoes? Do you love performing?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then dramatic arts may be the program of study for you.

Whether your interest in the dramatic arts began by reading a Shakespeare play in school, acting in a production, helping backstage, or watching a play in a theater, this program may be right for you. It provides an overview of all aspects of the dramatic arts, from dramatic literature and theory to the actual production of plays. This variety gives you the chance to explore the field and decide what aspect most interests you.

A background in the dramatic arts helps prepare you for careers as an actor, director, and producer. If you'd prefer to stay offstage, you could also be a theater historian, costume designer, stage manager, or director of an acting troupe.

As a student, you take courses in classical Greek tragedies, Shakespeare, modern world dramas, and avant-garde plays. You study the developments not just in dramatic literature but also in dramatic theory and criticism. You might examine, for example, the changes in the relationship between actors and audience and how the shape and set-up of theaters reflected these changes.

In addition to theoretical courses, you also learn the practical elements of producing a play. You learn the fundamentals of acting, set design, sound, and lighting. You also study the principles of directing and producing plays and other theatrical works. Many programs allow you to specialize. You can concentrate your course work on learning the craft of acting. Or, you can focus on writing plays or directing films.

Many colleges and universities offer programs in the dramatic arts where you can earn an associate, a bachelor's, a master's, or a doctoral degree. In general, a bachelor's degree takes about four years of full-time study and a master's degree about two years after that. A doctoral degree usually takes about three to four years after a master's degree.

If you want to pursue an associate degree, you typically need about two years. In some cases, you may be able to transfer these credits to a four-year bachelor's degree program.