Department Homepage
The College of Arts & Sciences
The Department of Performing and Media Arts provides opportunities for students to explore theatre, film and dance as distinct art forms, or to combine these disciplines in exciting ways.
Whether students choose to major, minor or enroll in select classes, they can integrate work in acting and film, theatre and television, dance and light, new media and sound. The major is both flexible and rigorous, giving students multiple options in designing their own program of study. In consultation with a faculty advisor, they also develop a focus in their area of interest. The departmental curriculum offers a robust selection of courses, from introductory to advanced levels and from both creative and critical perspectives.
PMA offers a variety of major and minor opportunities in the performing arts. Students build a solid foundation in a broad spectrum of rubric areas – exploring relationships between dance, movement, live theatre and media arts – while choosing a primary area of interest.
From creating, designing or directing an event to organizing an alumni visit or working and studying in Hollywood and Europe, PMA offers amazing learning opportunities outside a traditional classroom experience.
Our program is focused on preparing students for careers as researchers and professors with concentrations in drama and theatre, theatre history and aesthetics, and performance studies. Students can earn a PhD and the joint MA/PhD.
Students work closely with Cornell's Society for the Humanities and The School for Criticism and Theory, interdisciplinary centers of intellectual exchange that draw scholars and artists from around the world. Cornell PMA also has an active student organization community offering support as graduate students grow.
The ability to see the world critically and then shape what you see into words into various forms, is so powerful. You may not want to be in media but you may have a podcast. You may be doing something else. You may be commenting on something online. Your words are powerful and you can hold people accountable to their words.
Location: Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Film Forum
Location: Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Reading Room 124
Location: Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, 220
Location: Various
Location: Various
Location: Various
Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for the Student Film Screening, on Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 pm, and Friday, May 8, at 5:00 pm, in the Kiplinger Theatre, Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.
PMA Professor David Feldshuh was interviewed on Doctor Radio Book Club, a segment of Doctor Radio on SiriusXM 110. Feldshuh spoke about his play Miss Evers’ Boys with hosts, Dr. Katherine Hochman, NYU Langone physician, and Dilshad Marolia, NYU Langone System Director, Hospitals Regulatory and Policy Management.
Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts and Footprints Running for Grounded in the World: Trail Running & Climate Justice on Saturday, April 25. A Group Trail Run will take place at 10:00 am, starting at the Nevin Welcome Center, Cornell Botanic Gardens, followed by conversation and snacks. Sustainability Presentations will take place at 5:30 pm, in the Film Forum, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. Free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. Please RSVP to either/both events.
Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for Glitch Dance with Dr. Thomas DeFrantz on Sunday, April 12, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, in the Ballet Studio (Room 320), Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by April 9 by emailing drusso@cornell.edu.