The Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre is designed to serve prospective teachers, critics, and scholars in theatre studies. Also, in support of the scholarly degree, it provides some training opportunities in production. Each student, working with an advisor, develops an individual program of study that includes not only a wide range of general courses in history, critical theory, dramatic literature, performance analysis, and research methods but also a specialized group of courses in the candidate's areas of interest. Each student also selects at least one area of production for training (acting, directing, design, or dramaturgy). In addition, students have the opportunity to take courses taught by faculty outside the department. Students will develop a strong foundation in theatre studies; they will also be able to design special programs of study, appropriate to their backgrounds and professional aims.
Dr. Stratos E. Constantinidis: Critical Theory; Classical Drama; Greek Drama
Dr. Beth Kattelman: Theatre Research; Feminist/LGBT Theory; Horror Entertainments
Dr. Sarah Neville: Renaissance Literature and Culture; Textual Editing; Shakespeare and Performance
Dr. Ana Elena Puga: Latin American and US Latino Theatre; Performance Studies; Translation/Dramaturgy
Dr. E.J. Westlake: Performance, Gender, Theory, and Practice; Theatre Pedagogy; Postmodernism
The doctoral program has close ties to the Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute, a major archive in theatre studies. Director Karen Mozingo and Curator Beth Kattelman work directly with doctoral students on study and research projects.
In addition, the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts is affiliated with the Wexner Center for the Arts, a contemporary arts center and educational program at Ohio State, with a wide range of local, national, and international presentations in the visual and performance arts, film, video, and architecture.
Also the university is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, an exchange program that allows students to study at other Big Ten universities and the University of Chicago. Exchange opportunities also exist with foreign universities.
The PhD applicant must meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate School of The Ohio State University, have substantial undergraduate work in theatre or related fields, have a Master's degree (MA or MFA) in theatre or performance studies or in a closely-related field, and present evidence of scholarly research (e.g., sample essays that reflect a high level of competence in research, analysis, and expository writing) and creative promise.
The Theatre Graduate Handbook contains the policies and procedures that govern graduate admissions, degree requirements, advising, the determination of satisfactory academic progress, the selection and evaluation of teaching associates, grievance procedures, and academic standards.
The PhD Advising Sheet contains the required coursework and other degree requirements, curricular timetable, and typical course offering patterns.