Theater and Performance Studies are an interdisciplinary branch of studies with an artistic as well as a research orientation that investigates a broad range of presentations belonging to two primary categories: artistic performances and cultural performances. “Artistic performances” refers to events defined as art, such as theater performances, story theater, location-specific performance events, movies, and more. “Cultural performances” refers to events and performances of daily life, such as sports, life cycle events, rituals, and demonstrations. The interrelations between theater studies and performance studies form the foundation for the program, which will operate based on the following principles:

Undertaking the academic study of performance in broad artistic and cultural contexts in order to capture the potential of performance as a prism for research and a subject of study.

Encouraging the encounter between academic study and the creative production of theater and performance intended to enrich processes of creative research and serve as a source of inspiration for research.

Encouraging students to engage in interdisciplinary study and research aided by and corresponding with other disciplines, including philosophy, anthropology, history, communications and new media studies, education, and social work.

Holders of a BA degree in Theater or a B.Ed. in Theater Education from an accredited institution of higher education in Israel or abroad with a GPA of at least 80 percent.

Candidates for an MA program must submit to the Departmental MA Committee a seminar paper on a critical view of the art of theater and performance. Candidates must also fill out a questionnaire about their approach to the academic study of theater and performance.

Candidates may also submit a portfolio to the Committee. The portfolio should include documentation of creative work to which they have contributed as directors, actors, or director-coaches.

Candidates will be called for a face-to-face interview with the program’s Admissions Committee, in which they will be asked about their intended field of research and motivation to work in it.

Candidates holding a BA in other disciplines will be required to pass supplementary studies to be determined by the Departmental MA Committee in accordance with their previous studies.

Non-thesis track

Thesis track

Employment opportunities upon completion of degree: research, theater, production and directing, teaching.