# Theatre and Performance Studies

**Source**: https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue/education-subjects/arts-and-humanities/theatre-and-performance-studies
**Parent**: https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue/education-subjects

Focusing on the performing arts, public performances, and performances of everyday life, Theatre and Performance Studies ‘recognize and insist on the interdependency of a related series of disciplines and also on the role of performance in the production of culture in its widest sense’.

## Subject description

Theatre and Performance Studies at Stockholm University are part of the Department of Culture and Aesthetics. Focusing on the performing arts, public performances, and performances of everyday life, Theatre and Performance Studies ‘recognize and insist on the interdependency of a related series of disciplines and also on the role of performance in the production of culture in its widest sense’ (Reinelt & Roach 2007: 5). Our research engages in transnational and trans-disc as well as related research areas and methodologies. Studies span from historical contexts to the contemporary stage.

Cultural performances have a particular focus of critical analysis. Our scholarly activities – including both research and teaching – are based on critical theory, stressing the social relevance of the humanities and the political responsibility of the individual scholar.

## Career opportunities

Studies in Theatre and Performance provides you with a solid foundation if you want to work artistically, become a writer in the cultural sector, or take on administrative roles within the theatre and cultural sector. By gaining strong knowledge in Theatre Studies, you develop an excellent ability to analyse and express yourself clearly and in a structured way. For a bachelor’s degree, you can combine Theatre Studies with other humanities or social science subjects.

Our former students now work as, for example, directors, theatre managers, dramaturges, dancers, cultural administrators, high school teachers, musicians, actors, reviewers, librarians, researchers, playwrights, producers, and editors in various media.

## Courses and programmes

Courses and programme within the subject area.

### Courses at bachelor's level

[Current courses at bachelor's level](https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue?q=&educationSubjectGroupIds=%5B%223%22%5D&internationalStudents=%5B%22true%22%5D&educationLevelId=%5B%221%22%5D&educationTypeId=%5B%2222+24%22%5D&educationSubjectIds=%5B%22155619%22%5D)\

### Courses at master's level

[Current courses at master's level](https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue?q=&educationSubjectGroupIds=%5B%223%22%5D&internationalStudents=%5B%22true%22%5D&educationLevelId=%5B%222%22%5D&educationTypeId=%5B%2222+24%22%5D&educationSubjectIds=%5B%22155619%22%5D)\

### Master’s Programme in Performance Studies, 120 ECTS

The Master’s Programme in Theatre and Performance Studies boasts an international and intercultural profile. It prepares students for research at the doctoral level as well as for work in the performing arts industry and cultural institutions.

All teaching is conducted in English.

[Programme website](https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue/hm/hmtvp)

### PhD studies

Our doctoral studies take four years and result in a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). During this period you will both take advanced courses in your field of interest and write a thesis.

[More about PhD studies](https://www.su.se/department-of-culture-and-aesthetics/education/courses-and-programmes/phd-studies-at-the-department-of-culture-and-aesthetics-1.585889?eventopenforinternationalstudents=true&notforcedreason=0&q=&xpanded=)

## Degree

For a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Performance Studies you can choose to study individual courses or join the bachelor program listed under Educations within the subject.

A master’s degree in Theatre and Performance Studies can only be obtained through enrolment in one of the master’s programmes listed under Educations within the subject.

[More information about degrees at Stockholm University](https://www.su.se/english/education/qualifications-degrees)

## Research

Theatre Studies, which also includes Dance Studies and Performance Studies, is an active and internationally oriented research environment.

The following four aspects characterize our research and teaching at Stockholm University.

1. The relationship between the performing arts and society: As researchers, we approach theatre, dance and performance as an event, which means that the performing arts should be understood in relation to their specific social and cultural contexts. This event-oriented understanding involves a dynamic approach to the interaction and communication between the stage and the auditorium that takes into account the audience’s different experiences, but also the material, organisational and cultural policy aspects that enable the events that our researchers analyse.
2. A broad and inclusive understanding of theatre: Theatre scholars use an expanded and non-discriminating notion of theatre and our research focuses on amateur theatre, artivism, ballet and contemporary dance, children’s and youth theatre, burlesque, circus, feminist performance, independent ensembles, diva cult, puppet theatre, immersive theatre, Japanese Noh theatre, costume history, musicals, opera, performance art, political demonstrations, political theatre, popular culture, post-dramatic theatre, queer performing arts, performing arts criticism, spoken drama and Indigenous performing arts and performances, as well as theatrical events in the public space. This broad understanding of theatre is inspired by developments in the contemporary performing arts and is often positively highlighted by our international exchange students.
3. Bodies: The performing arts involve bodily practices. For theatre scholars, this means that our interest focuses on bodies and embodied actions in different spaces. Bodies express themselves in different ways; they age and are differently abled, perform a variety of gendered expressions and sexualities, have different class backgrounds, or might have technological implants, to name just a few. Bodies are also treated differently and are often subjected to violence and discrimination. To do justice to the complexity of bodies and bodily practices, our researchers use critical and interdisciplinary perspectives such as gender and queer theory, postcolonial studies and perspectives from children and youth culture in their projects.
4. A cosmopolitan research environment: Theatre Studies, Dance Studies and Performance Studies as research areas constitute a cosmopolitan research environment. We have an internationally composed faculty body that speaks twelve different languages and actively uses these in their research.

[Read more about our research](https://www.su.se/english/research/research-subjects/theatre-studies)

## Contact

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## Area of interest

[Arts and Humanities](https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue/education-subjects/arts-and-humanities)