Why Study Theatre and Performance?

  • Academic excellence

    Members of our academic team are nationally and internationally recognised scholars, practitioners and teachers. Student feedback surveys tell the same glowing story of intellectual and creative stimulation, year after year. The positive feedback praises our sense of excitement, community support and relevance of teaching content. We are passionately committed to our fields of expertise and to our teaching program.

    Our areas of expertise includes:

    • Asian theatre
    • Australian theatre, including Indigenous Australian theatre and performance
    • Classical Greek theatre
    • Performance as research projects staged by leading theatre companies

    Our academic team have extensive knowledge of historical theories and practices and contemporary contexts. We contribute to the development of future trends in theatre and performance.

    International opportunities

    We have international links, with scholars, researchers and practitioners from a host of countries, institutions and fields of expertise. It is common for students to study overseas for a semester or two. Most students who undertake international exchanges end up in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe or Asia.

    Artist-in-residence programs currently attract theatre practitioners from across the world.

    Teaching environment

    Theatre and Performance is friendly and inclusive, across undergraduate, honours, masters, PhD and postdoctoral streams. We offer a rich and supportive environment for study and research. Students get to work with a wide range of internal and external experts. There are regular guest artist presentations and forums, visiting directors and producers, and lots of opportunities for discussion and debate.

    We have a vibrant performance program, offered primarily at the Clayton campus. Our resources include:

    • 200 seat capacity Performing Arts Centre
    • 60 seat ‘black box’ rehearsal room,
    • Dance studio

    More than a dozen public productions are staged each year. Year after year, our students are finalists and winners of Melbourne’s 3D Festival.

    Careers opportunities

    Theatre and Performance graduates pursue a huge range of creative and cultural roles, including: acting, directing and stage managing for theatre companies, becoming independent theatre artists, composers, theatre administrators, arts journalists and marketers, teachers and academics, festival directors and arts administrators, scriptwriters and arts related public relations people.

    You can choose to undertake further study in vocational drama schools and/or specialised training. Several of our past students have subsequently studied at the prestigious National Institute for the Dramatic Arts (NIDA). Some have established their own theatre companies. Others join community arts and cultural organisations. All contribute significantly to the cultural and creative life of the many places they choose to call home.

    Through our teaching program you will acquire excellent oral and written communications skills, the ability to work collaboratively and think on your feet. Our students leave with a critical framework and language, with capability develop their own products. From writing winning grant proposals to adlibbing on stage, our graduates are well equipped to survive and thrive in the performing arts industry.

    How to apply

    Links to Monash University and Faculty of Arts ‘how to apply’ information

    Bachelor of Performing Arts

    How to apply for the Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA)

    Further information

    School of English Communications and Performance Studies

    Faculty of Arts

    Faculty of Arts future students

    Monash University

    Monash University future students