The Department of Drama and Dance formally came into existence on September 1, 1983. The Department of Drama absorbed the Dance Program which had been part of the Department of Physical Education to create the newly formed department. Professor Sherwood Collins, who had been the Chair of the Department of Drama remained as the head of the newly expanded department. Associate Professor Alice Trexler, who had been at the helm of the Dance Program prior to the creation of the new department, continued to lead the Dance Program after the formation of the new department had been officially completed.

History of Department of Dance and Drama

The Department of Drama and Dance formally came into existence on September 1, 1983. The Department of Drama absorbed the Dance Program which had been part of the Department of Physical Education to create the newly formed department. Professor Sherwood Collins, who had been the Chair of the Department of Drama remained as the head of the newly expanded department. Associate Professor Alice Trexler who had been at the helm of the Dance Program remained as its director after the formation of the new department had been officially completed.

The Department of Drama and Dance articulated information about the Department in the Bulletin of Tuft University for the academic year 1984-1985 as follows, "Through the study of drama and theater arts, the student can cultivate an understanding and appreciation of one of Western society's main civilizing forces; develop powers of intellect, imagination, emotion, and vocal and bodily expressiveness, as well as standards of good taste and workmanship; and gain a sound foundation for later pursuit of interests in this field". Regarding the Dance Program, the Bulletin stated, "The objectives of the Tufts dance program are to acquaint the student with both dance technique and dance theory within the realm of a liberal arts education".

The Department of Drama and Dance offers graduate programs leading to a Master of Arts as well as a Doctor of Philosophy.

Notable members of the Department of Drama and Dance:

• Alice Trexler, Associate Professor and Director of Dance, Dance Studies
• Laurence Senelick, Fletcher Professor of Oratory and Director of Graduate Studies, Dramatic Literature and Theory, Theatre and Film History