Engage with the performance and choreography of dance.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and Performance Studies in the College of Letters & Science allows students to engage with performance on physical, intellectual, and aesthetic levels, growing not only as performers but also as artists, thinkers, makers, viewers, and participants in the artistic event. The practical focus of the major is on the performance and choreography of contemporary dance and dance theater. Equally important is the study of theater and dance theory, history, culture, and literature.
Students study with faculty known for their scholarly research and creative work. Opportunities include regular student-led performances, an annual spring concert where students perform in repertory pieces, an honors thesis/project, and exposure to exciting lectures, speakers, guest artists, and performances.
Highlights
- Get involved in a performance arts student group.
- Audition for one of the department’s many productions and workshops.
- Bring together your undergraduate studies with a Capstone Experience.
Curriculum
The dance training and academic courses offered by our department are rigorous and geared toward the student who is interested in learning about dance, choreography and performance from multiple perspectives.
In the major you will develop your own focus area and pursue a broad range of disciplines encompassing performance practice, technical production, design, critical performance studies, and more.
Learn more at tdps.berkeley.edu/undergrad/dance
Options in TDPS
We offer two sets of majors and minors: one in Theater and Performance Studies and one in Dance and Performance Studies. Both provide students with the opportunity to define a focus area in their upper division elective courses before pursuing capstone experiences. We also offer a summer certificate in Performance and Culture in the U.S., an opportunity to develop or deepen your U.S. cultural literacy and intercultural communication skills as you study acting or public speaking, explore performance modalities, and learn how performance intersects with media and society.
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. You may declare the major in Dance and Performance Studies after completing two required lower division courses:
- One performance practice course (THEATER 14, 40, or 60)
- One performance studies course (THEATER 25AC, 26, or 52AC).
After completing the above courses, contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor to declare the major. Transfer students should meet with the advisor as early as possible to discuss transfer credit and create an academic program plan.
The flexibility and integration of our curriculum makes TDPS graduates excellent candidates for a variety of professions in the social, corporate, legal, and arts sectors, as well as for admission to graduate programs in the arts and in professional schools. Graduates have used their critical and expressive skills toward successful careers as professional artists in dance, theater, and experimental performance, as well as in law, advertising, human resources, publishing, radio, technology, social work, and in all aspects of for-profit and non-profit administration.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for TDPS students. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- 3D Film Production Assistant
- Adjunct Faculty
- Art Manager
- Ballet Member
- Choreographer
- Dancer
- EMT
- Filmmaker
- Marketing Assistant
- Music Instructor
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Dance
- Drama and Theater Arts
- Journalism
- Social Sciences
Swetha, class of 2021
Swetha Prabakaran graduated with BA degrees in Dance and Performance Studies and Computer Science, and a certificate in Design Innovation.
“I founded Swetha Prabakaran Productions, which creates stage and film works that amplify South Asian diasporic narratives. I use my DPS major every single day as an Artistic Director! I honed my artistic voice as a performer/choreographer through the dance technique classes; I developed my writing and critical-thinking skills in the performance studies courses, which help me write winning grants and create innovative shows on culturally-relevant topics; and I practiced leadership & teamwork while working on the department productions, which now helps me lead my team while running our own shows.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Review the TDPS Handbook; start on lower division requirements.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a performance arts student group like AFX Dance or Danceworx.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Attend department events such as the TDPS Speaker Series or New Play Reading Series.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Think about a focus for your upper division electives.
- Look into study abroad; check out options for Performing Arts abroad.
- Declare the major after completing two of the required lower division courses in practice and performance studies.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Check the TDPS Callboard for production calls and auditions.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Explore the Arts Research Center.
- Teach dance in local schools through the CREATE program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin taking upper division requirements (dance technique, choreography, histories of performance, technical theater, production and design, performance studies), as well as electives.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Consider applying to the TDPS Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a TDPS Peer Advisor or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Center for Interdisciplinary Critical Inquiry.
- Interested in arts policy or administration? Intern in public service/non-profit centers with UCDC.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as California Dance Education Association.
- Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and U.S. Department of State.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Bring together your studies with a Capstone Experience, such as leading a TDPS Workshop Production as a choreographer or performer.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as THEATER 118AC or 177.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—look into programs like Digital Humanities or Film and Media Industries.
- Learn about applying to graduate school with the PhD Admissions Bootcamp.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Review the TDPS Handbook and meet with your major and college advisor.
- Work on lower division requirements; think about a focus for your upper division electives.
- Enroll in an upper division Performance Studies course so that you can qualify for a senior Honors Project.
- Declare the major after completing two of the required lower division courses in practice and performance studies.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Check the TDPS Callboard for production calls and auditions.
- Get involved with a performance arts student group like AFX Dance or Danceworx.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in upper division requirements (dance technique, choreography, histories of performance, technical theater, production and design, performance studies), as well as electives.
- Look into study abroad; check out options for Performing Arts abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor.
- Consider applying to the TDPS Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend department events such as the TDPS Speaker Series or New Play Reading Series.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Center for Interdisciplinary Critical Inquiry.
- Explore the Arts Research Center.
- Teach dance in local schools through the CREATE program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue upper division requirements and electives.
- Bring together your studies with a Capstone Experience, such as leading a TDPS Workshop Production as a choreographer or performer.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a TDPS Peer Advisor, Transfer Peer Advocate, or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Interested in arts policy or administration? Intern in public service/non-profit centers with UCDC.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as California Dance Education Association.
- Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and U.S. Department of State.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Consider undertaking a Capstone Experience if you haven’t done so yet.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship the summer before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as THEATER 14 or 118AC.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—look into programs like Digital Humanities or Film and Media Industries.
- Learn about applying to graduate school in the PhD Admissions Bootcamp.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Dance and Performance Studies or choosing a major?
The Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies offers undergraduate advising to students interested in TDPS majors, minors, and certificate programs. Current or prospective students may contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor about course requirements, declaring a major or minor, capstone experiences, or any questions related to TDPS undergraduate programs. Students can also speak to Peer Advisors, majors who are familiar with the department, actively use student advising, take advantage of the opportunities and courses offered here, and are willing to talk about their TDPS experience. For more information, visit tdps.berkeley.edu/undergrad/advising.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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