Overview

Students majoring in Performance Studies engage performance both as an object of study—something to be documented and analyzed—and as a method of study—something to be experienced and enacted. From the adaptation and staging of texts, to the exploration of rituals and festivals, to the study of performance in everyday life, students in the department enter the world of performance and performance theory as an important and emerging field of study.

Specific courses in the Department of Performance Studies at Northwestern University focus on the study of literature through solo performance; the ensemble adaptation and staging of poetic, narrative, and nonfictional texts; intercultural performance; cultural studies and performance ethnography; performance theory and criticism; and performance art. Outside the classroom, additional performance opportunities enable students to develop further their performance work and bring it to a wider audience.

The History of the Department

The Department of Performance Studies began as the Department of Interpretation with a focus on literature and on the art of interpretation as a means of understanding literature and bringing it to life through oral reading. The department’s name was changed in 1984 to reflect a widening of the department’s focus beyond (though still inclusive of) literary texts, and recognizing performance as a means for exploring a wide range of experiences and events.

Studying and Performing

Students majoring in Performance Studies take classes in the department, in Theatre (though typically not the sequence of acting classes), and across the university, in such areas as English, anthropology, history, gender studies, African-American studies, Latin-American Studies, and radio-television-film.

Outside the classroom, students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of performance projects, including those sponsored by the Performances Studies Department as well as those sponsored by the Theatre Department and by different student groups on campus.

Each year the department sponsors a public performance series consisting of one or two major productions; three or four “performance hours” featuring faculty- or student-directed work; and three “performance hours” developed by students in the freshman-level introductory course.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Performance Studies

Modes of Performance

Performance Culture and Communication

Performance of Poetry

Adapting Narrative for Group Performance

Food and Performance
Performance Art

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-02 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

42 alternative credits

units of credit

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Evanston, United States

Disciplines

Literature Drama View 1013 other Bachelors in Literature in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

Common Application or Coalition Application
Official secondary school transcript and school report
Counselor recommendation
At least one teacher recommendation
SAT or ACT scores
Official proof of English language proficiency‡ (ONLY for applicants whose first/primary language is not English or whose secondary schooling has not been in English)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

69375 USD / year

≈ 69375 USD / year
Out-of-State

69375 USD / year

≈ 69375 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

69375 USD / year

≈ 69375 USD / year

Living costs

Evanston

United States

1100 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Performance Studies.

Available Scholarships

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About

Overview

Overview

The History of the Department

Studying and Performing

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Evanston

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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