Performance studies is an interdisciplinary field that draws from anthropology, cultural studies, the performing arts, sociology, the visual arts, film and media studies, theatre studies, folklore, ethnomusicology and subcultural studies, among many others. In performance studies, performance functions as the object of study, a lens through which to view the world and a method to examine complex questions. In performance studies, you critically examine performances, like the way that you examine texts in English or dramatic literature in theatre studies. In performance studies, however, performance includes the traditional performing arts like theatre, music and dance, as well as video games, television and film, communication, cultural events, advertising, rituals, political debates, athletic events, fashion, cuisine, social media and more. The Master of Arts in Performance Studies is a two-year, in-person degree offered at the College Station campus. This degree is built around an understanding of performance as a multifaceted and multicultural phenomenon. Bridging theory and practice, the program invites rigorous and sustained interdisciplinary understanding of performance in all its forms. Students in our program conduct their research through a variety of methods including fieldwork; interviews; archival work; performance as research; and textual analysis. Students also present their research through a variety of mediums such as research presentations, scholarly publications, podcasts, performances, concerts, exhibitions and installations. Our program keeps graduate classes small to give students opportunities to engage deeply with the course materials and work closely with faculty. The degree is ideal for students interested in careers in theatre, arts administration, production, communications, archival and curatorial work, cultural institutions such as museums, as well as those interested in continuing to doctoral study. You will choose between three tracks: Thesis, Performance and Portfolio, and Comprehensive Examination. In all three tracks, students develop their research projects with the guidance of an advisor.
