University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies

University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in dance, theatre, design, performance studies.

OUR VISION
We envision a School that serves as a national model for collaboration, innovation and
entrepreneurship in the performing arts. The University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies offers seven degree programs for undergraduates and graduates: BA Dance, BA Theatre, MA Theatre and Performance Studies, MFA Dance, MFA Design, MFA Performance and PhD Theatre and Performance Studies. We encourage you to share your comments and ideas. We value and respect diverse viewpoints, and welcome productive dialogue within our Terp community. However, Facebook comments created by other users and not by the University do not reflect the opinions or views of the University or University employees. Furthermore, we retain the discretion to delete unacceptable comments including comments that:
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Happy Henson Day! On September 24th, UMD celebrates the life, legacy, and creative works of alumnus Jim '60 & Jane '55 H...
09/24/2026

Happy Henson Day!

On September 24th, UMD celebrates the life, legacy, and creative works of alumnus Jim '60 & Jane '55 Henson with events and pop-ups across campus.

Every year the Jim Henson Award for Puppetry provides TDPS students the opportunity to study and create works of puppetry.

Find out more about Henson Week events at go.umd.edu/henson.

Kelly Colburn M.F.A. ’18, TDPS Lecturer and Interim Head of Projections and Media Design, has been named one of American...
09/23/2026

Kelly Colburn M.F.A. ’18, TDPS Lecturer and Interim Head of Projections and Media Design, has been named one of American Theatre’s "6 Designers You Should Know". This recognition highlights Kelly's exceptional talent and contributions as a projections designer, educator, director, devised theatremaker and producer.

We are so proud to see Kelly’s talent recognized and look forward to their upcoming projects. Congratulations, Kelly, on this well-deserved honor!

Read the full feature on Kelly and the other designers here ➡ go.umd.edu/KellyColburn.

Announcing the full cast and creative team of Mr Burns, a Post-Electric Play presented by UMD's School of Theatre, Dance...
09/18/2026

Announcing the full cast and creative team of Mr Burns, a Post-Electric Play presented by UMD's School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies!

Mr Burns, a Post-Electric Play runs from October 9 - 18th .

Tickets and info can be found in our bio.

September is National Deaf Awareness Month! Join TDPS, The Clarice, UMD's ASL Club, and other UMD communities for an inc...
09/17/2026

September is National Deaf Awareness Month! Join TDPS, The Clarice, UMD's ASL Club, and other UMD communities for an incredible lineup of events highlighting the richness of Deaf culture, advocacy, and artistry.

It all kicks off tonight with "A World Without Them," a visually stunning and emotionally powerful exploration of extinction in all its forms—natural, cultural, and personal. Co-created by Deaf artist Landon Krentz and Ghost River Theatre’s Eric Rose, this groundbreaking work blends physical theatre with visual vernacular, a unique storytelling technique rooted in Deaf expression.

This performance is free in the Dance Theatre at The Clarice, with no tickets required.

Visit go.umd.edu/WorldWithoutThem for more information. For any access needs, accommodations and questions, please contact the ticket office at (301) 405-ARTS (2787) or email [email protected].

Poster reveal for our upcoming production of Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play! In the decades after an apocalyptic event,...
09/14/2026

Poster reveal for our upcoming production of Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play!

In the decades after an apocalyptic event, a band of survivors huddles around a fire and retells The Simpsons episode, “Cape Feare.” As the years pass, commercial jingles become parables, pop songs turn into hymns and TV characters (like the titular Mr. Burns) transform into mythic figures of the time before the collapse.

Get your tickets for this daring and wildly funny play here ➡ go.umd.edu/MrBurns26

NextNOW Fest continues tonight!! Come out to see NextDANCE, a showcase of dance work choreographed and performed by unde...
09/11/2026

NextNOW Fest continues tonight!!

Come out to see NextDANCE, a showcase of dance work choreographed and performed by undergraduate and graduate students from TDPS at 6:30PM in the Dance Theatre. Then get up and dance yourself at one of the many movement and dance workshops taking place throughout the night.

It's all happening tonight ! Check out go.umd.edu/NNF26 for more information.

What do we lose when someone disappears—a species, a culture, a language, a voice?Coming to The Clarice on September 17t...
09/11/2026

What do we lose when someone disappears—a species, a culture, a language, a voice?

Coming to The Clarice on September 17th and 18th, "A World Without Them" is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful exploration of extinction in all its forms—natural, cultural, and personal. Co-created by Deaf artist Landon Krentz and Ghost River Theatre’s Eric Rose, this groundbreaking work blends physical theatre with visual vernacular, a unique storytelling technique rooted in Deaf expression.

This production transcends language and cultural barriers, where gesture replaces dialogue, and movement becomes meaning. At its core, it is a bold celebration of Deaf artistry, a tribute to those who came before, and a call to imagine a future where no story is left behind.

This performance is free, with no tickets required.

Visit go.umd.edu/WorldWithoutThem for more information. For any access needs, accommodations and questions, please contact the ticket office at (301) 405-ARTS (2787) or email [email protected].

NextNOW Fest is back! The Clarice’s annual NextNOW Fest is an inspiring arts experience that celebrates imagination, cre...
09/09/2026

NextNOW Fest is back!

The Clarice’s annual NextNOW Fest is an inspiring arts experience that celebrates imagination, creativity and community.

NextNOW Fest features performances, workshops and other types of events by genre-pushing, nationally renowned touring artists, as well as campus-based artists. Highlights this year include: the Silent Disc-Glo, comedy from TurtleWithHat and SNL's Sarah Squirm, performances from Kate Eberstadt and NextDANCE, and festival-favorite Mario Kart Tournament with the Gamer Symphony Orchestra. 

Learn more about the festival, see this year's full lineup of performers, and register here ➡ https://theclarice.umd.edu/events/festivals/nextnow-fest/nnf2026

Rehearsals for "Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play" are officially underway! In the decades after an apocalyptic event, a b...
09/03/2026

Rehearsals for "Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play" are officially underway!

In the decades after an apocalyptic event, a band of survivors huddles around a fire and retells The Simpsons episode, “Cape Feare.” As the years pass, commercial jingles become parables, pop songs turn into hymns and TV characters (like the titular Mr. Burns) transform into mythic figures of the time before the collapse.

Get your tickets for this daring and wildly funny play here ➡ https://go.umd.edu/MrBurns26

Join us this Thursday at the TDPS First Look Fair! Come learn about our student groups and auditions, and meet some of o...
08/31/2026

Join us this Thursday at the TDPS First Look Fair! Come learn about our student groups and auditions, and meet some of our faculty. See you in Dance Studio 2 at 4:30PM.

Address

1810 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park, MD
20742

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