Abstract
This article considers the future of theatre education in research universities, emphasizing both opportunities and challenges. Positive developments include the recognition of creative work as equivalent to scholarly research, the establishment of the MFA as a terminal degree in performance and production, and the growing prominence of dramaturgy as a field integrating scholarship with practice. Undergraduate curricula are increasingly modeled on broad-based core requirements, positioning theatre within general education. At the same time, declining budgets, faculty reductions, and overextended programs threaten stability. The article identifies two likely trends: greater emphasis on quality through program evaluation and national visibility, and stronger formal connections between conservatory-style training and professional theatre companies. Partnerships between universities and resident theatres are highlighted as a means of aligning education with professional practice while sustaining artistic and academic excellence.
Recommended Citation
Barranger, Milly S.
(1987)
"The Future of Theatre Education: The Research University,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 61, Article 16.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol61/iss1/16
