Off-Campus Studies can help Theatre and Dance students…

  • Gain awareness of the major discipline from a different scholarly tradition
  • Develop a global perspective
  • Expand cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
  • Prepare for an increasingly diverse and international workplace

How does a semester or year of OCS help students in Theatre and Dance prepare for graduate school or various career opportunities? 

  • Exposes students to working professionals and affords them time to focus more specifically on their particular interests in the theatre.
  • Conservatory-style acting programs offer the opportunity for concentrated training
  • Cultivates an understanding of different lifestyles and what it is like to be a British student, a French student, etc.
  • Helps students develop professional connections
  • Provides an opportunity to attend live theatre in a different cultural context

As a general rule of thumb, the Theatre and Dance Department recommends the following for students who wish to study off campus.

  • First and second-year students should enroll in THTR 125, Beginning Acting I or Dance 115, Beginning Modern Dance, THTR 246 Foundations of Design and either THTR 245 Foundations of Technical Theatre or THTR 277 Costume Construction Techniques and at least two courses in history/literature, theory, and culture to be selected from THTR 210, 235, 357, 372, 373, or 377. Some of these courses are offered in alternate years, so students need to be aware of their long term academic plan.
  • Students are encouraged to study off-campus in either fall or spring.  We recommend that students meet with their theatre major adviser when planning for off-campus studies and keep in mind when courses are offered here at Whitman.  Be aware of the choices you are making fulfilling the requirements of the major.

Which requirements can Theatre and Dance majors fulfill while off campus?

  • Elective major credit in consultation with the major adviser
  • General Studies distribution credit
  • General degree credit

Major Credit Limitations

  • The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the Theatre and Dance major from off campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 11 credits with the approval of your major adviser.
  • Business courses typically cannot be transferred to Whitman because they are vocational in nature and not considered liberal arts.

Minor Credit Limitations

  • A minimum of three-fifths of the specific course and credit requirements for the minor must be completed in the on-campus program of the college.

What are the types of OCS programs recommended by the Theatre and Dance department?

  • Programs that offer conservatory-style training in the theatre
  • Programs that offer opportunities to study alongside host-country students
  • Programs that offer internships related to theatre

Which Partner Programs are recommended by the Theatre and Dance department?

  • BADA: London Theatre Program (England)
  • IES: London Theater Studies (England)
  • The Eugene O'Neill National Theater Institute (NTI) (USA)

Students interested in Off-Campus Studies should attend an OCS First Step meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their major adviser, and schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser.