The Department of Theatre & Dance is formally affiliated with the Accademia dell' Arte in Arezzo, Italy; Goldsmiths College of the University of London; and Queen Mary College of the University of London. Theatre and Dance Faculty encourage students to study abroad in one of four programs -typically in the junior year.

The theatre programs at the University of London provide students with the opportunity to live in a major metropolitan area and participate in the cultural life of one of the premiere theatrical hubs in the world. Both programs include courses that arrange for students to attend theatrical events in London and take advantage of the city as a cultural resource. The Accademia Dell'Arte offers students majoring in theatre or dance the opportunity to the study in Italy and is located in the medieval city of Arezzo in the heart of Tuscany.

For each of these programs, students can take classes that count toward their major requirements. Dance and theatre majors also attend programs in other countries available through the Office of International Programs. Other countries include India, Japan, Ghana, and Australia, and Argentina, among others. In such instances, the Director of Dance or the Chair of Theatre works individually with each student to arrive at an appropriate course of study with respect to their major.

Accademia Dell'Arte

The Accademia Dell'Arte offers programs for University undergraduates and post-graduate students from around the world in the performing arts. With its exclusive focus on theater, music and dance the Accademia offers a study abroad opportunity in Tuscany with outstanding artists and professionals from Europe and the United States. Those who come to study at the Accademia will combine an intensive Italian language program and academic studies with a semester of high level theatre, music and dance performance training. The Accademia dell'Arte undergraduate program is fully accredited by Hendrix College.

The Accademia program in DANCE (details) has been carefully designed in consultation with Director of Dance, Karen Dearborn. She continues to serve as its advising director and American College coordinator. The Accademia dance curriculum features in-depth study of several traditional dance genres, ranging from ballet to modern to somatic practices as well as Italian dance forms.

The Accademia program in THEATRE (details) is centered in commedia dell' arte, augmenting that aspect of the curriculum here at Muhlenberg. The programs at the Accademia dell' Arte give students an intense studio experience equivalent to the sort of rigorous, all-day training experience they would encounter in a conservatory environment.

University of London

The Department of Drama at Queen Mary, University of London is an exciting, dynamic and creative place for practitioners and scholars in drama, theatre and performance studies. Teaching and research embrace both contemporary and emerging art forms and the roots and rich history of the performing arts and theatre. Based in East London, Queen Mary has strong links with local and international organisations, from the London International Festival of Theatre and the Barbican, to local galleries and community arts projects.

Goldsmiths College is located in New Cross, South East London, a vibrant, urban center with great transport connections to Central London. The Department of Drama places a major emphasis on the creative interrelationship between practice and theory. The theatre has seating for 160 and is used for both teaching and public performances; there are also three performance studios; scenic, sound and costume workshops; and design studio facilities. The program encourages imagination and innovation, offering a wide variety of courses. Drama Classes at Goldsmiths.

THE DANCE PROGRAM at Accademia Dell'Arte

Working closely with both the group Terìaca (popular dance) and Giorgio Rossi, founder of the internationally acclaimed dance company Sosta Palmizi, students experience dance training that takes them into the ancient and contemporary cultural fabric of Italy and the Mediterranean. Terìaca is well known for its research into the roots of Italian popular dance with the objective of developing contemporary performance. Giorgio Rossi, teaching modern dance technique and choreography, is a sensitive performer of national acclaim who is widely noted for his highly personal dance style. His sense of observation and aesthetic play is a perfect balance to the more historically derived work of Terìaca. Link to classes in dance.

In conjunction with core studio classes, students participate inintensive workshops in diverse movement and dance forms. The choice of workshop is not a restrictive one and future programs will continue to propose innovative creators whose cultural and dance references will challenge our students. In addition to the intensive training offered at the Accademia, students take a working excursion to Naples, have numerous opportunities to attend professional performances, and present their own work both in-house and in the local Italian community.

THE THEATRE PROGRAM at Accademia Dell'Arte

The theatre program at the Accademia Dell' Arte allows the student to have a conservatory experience. Every two weeks, a master of commedia dell' arte teaches his/her own traditional technique. These highly respected masters immerse the student into the commedia world through strenuous physical training, voice training, discovery of the stock characters, mask making and improvisation. The first week the students work four hours daily, while continuing their language and philosophy classes. They have time to adjust to the new technique. The second week, they work eight hours daily. Dancers and actors support each other in the final presentation. Students live near each other in the villa, sharing meals with the teachers. The atmosphere is relaxed but very focused. The medieval city of Arezzo is about a mile away; and on weekends, students take trips by train and venture through Tuscany.

In a world that is becoming increasingly interdependent, study abroad represents a significant means by which students may better prepare themselves to face challenges of the future.  Forty-seven percent of Muhlenberg graduates from the class of 2008 studied abroad.  Currently there are between 250 and 300 students studying abroad each year. Visit this link for details on Muhlenberg College policies for study abroad.