A major declared by sophomore year
Dartmouth says students do not need to declare a major until sophomore year. The pages read describe no separate admission to Theater.
Undergraduate · Dartmouth College
Dartmouth Theater: studies and practice, with a plan agreed with the Chair
Dartmouth students do not need to declare a major until sophomore year, and Theater is one of the majors they can choose once enrolled. The department describes integrating the creative, critical and historical study of theater, through theater studies courses and theater practice in acting, directing, design, dance, stage management, technical production and playwriting. This guide makes no claim of a separate application to the major.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Dartmouth says about Dartmouth Theater
Taken from the Department of Theater's major requirements page, Dartmouth Admissions' Majors & Minors and Testing Policy pages, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Dartmouth's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Studies and practice
Interdisciplinary courses in both.
A plan agreed with the Chair
Students meet the Chair before submitting a plan.
Practice areas named
Acting, directing, design, dance, stage management, technical production and playwriting.
The SAT or ACT, or an international alternative
US high school students submit the SAT or ACT. Students outside the US can meet the requirement in one of five ways, including predicted or final A-level or IB results.
Official sources
- Dartmouth Admissions: Majors & Minorsadmissions.dartmouth.edu
- Dartmouth Department of Theater: major requirementstheater.dartmouth.edu
- Dartmouth Admissions: Testing Policyadmissions.dartmouth.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Department of Theater's major requirements page, Dartmouth Admissions' Majors & Minors and Testing Policy pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Dartmouth's Organization, Regulations and Courses catalogue, the full requirement worksheet, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the department says the major is
The department's page says the Theater major aims to integrate the creative, critical and historical study of theater as a performing art, with interdisciplinary courses in theater studies (history, criticism and theory of theater and performance) and theater practice (acting, directing, design, dance, stage management, technical production and playwriting). Students meet the Chair before submitting a plan, and up to one theater studies course from another department may count with approval. This guide does not list the course requirements in full.
Is it the right major?
Theater beside Film and Media Studies and History
Dartmouth lists these as separate majors, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Theater fits if
you want to study and make live performance.
Film and Media Studies fits if
you want screen and digital media. Avandy's Dartmouth Film and Media Studies guide covers it.
History fits if
you want historical research. Avandy's Dartmouth History guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A Dartmouth application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Dartmouth requires students who attended high school in the United States to submit the SAT or ACT. Students who attended high school outside the United States may fulfil the requirement in one of five ways, which include predicted or final results from British A-Levels or the IB Diploma. The major is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Dartmouth's.
Do you want both the study and the practice of theater?
The major integrates them.
Are you comfortable agreeing a plan with the Chair?
It is required.
Which testing route will you use for Dartmouth?
Outside the US, Dartmouth lists five ways, including A-level and IB results.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Dartmouth's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Dartmouth's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Dartmouth has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Dartmouth for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the department's Theater page and decide which testing route you will use for Dartmouth.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Dartmouth College or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Dartmouth College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Dartmouth Theater?
The pages read describe admission to Dartmouth. Students do not need to declare a major until sophomore year.
Which practice areas does the major include?
Acting, directing, design, dance, stage management, technical production and playwriting.
Can courses from other departments count?
With prior approval, up to one theater studies course may.
Do A levels and the IB count for testing?
Dartmouth lists predicted or final British A-Level and IB Diploma results among five ways to meet the requirement for students who attended high school outside the United States.
Is the SAT or ACT required?
For students who attended high school in the United States, yes: they must submit either test.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Dartmouth's wording with no entry-year label. Check Dartmouth's pages again when Dartmouth publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Dartmouth Theater
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their performance and essay-writing interests and their testing route, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.