戏剧是所有艺术和人文学科相交的一种多学科形式。因此，戏剧研究可以培养协作，创新和批判性思维的技能。在这一努力中，戏剧的理论和实践是密不可分的，并且互惠互利。达特茅斯剧院系为学生提供有关剧院的历史，文学，理论和实践的杰出，具有挑战性和综合性的学习课程，无论是在课堂上还是在制作中。该系的课程为认真的戏剧学生做好研究生学习，戏剧专业职业或两者的准备。教职员工既汲取了跨越学术界和专业戏剧界的丰富经验，又致力于为每个学生提供密切的指导和个人关注，以培养对戏剧的深刻而终生的欣赏。
The Theater Department's mission is to provide students with a distinguished, challenging and integrated course of study in the history, literature, theory and practice of theater, both in the classroom and in production. The Theater Major program is designed to nurture 21st century artists and scholars who grasp the multidisciplinary nature of theatre as well as its historical legacies and contemporary challenges. Theater Majors take a minimum of ten courses divided between theater practice (acting, directing, design, dance, stage management, technical production, and playwriting) and theater studies (the history, criticism, and theory of theater and performance). They are also required to fulfill five production requirements that reflect a variety of theatrical activity, demonstrating an active and sustained participation in theatrical production. One production credit must be fulfilled by serving as a stage manager or assistant stage manager for a mainstage production.