The following is information for instructors regarding production attendance policy for undergraduate major and non-major courses in Theatre and Dance.

Looking for information to provide to students about the policy and ticketing options? Direct them to our Student Resources.

Attendance Policy for Majors Enrolled in a Theatre and Dance Majors' Course

Undergraduate Theatre and Dance majors enrolled in a majors' course are required to attend department productions. For the spring semester, majors must attend the following performances: burst!, Year of the Tiger, del corazón nance el enjambre and one of the productions of UTNT (UT New Theatre), Part Two. Venues, dates and times will be made available at theatredance.utexas.edu. Spring productions will be publicly announced in early January prior to the start of the spring semester. 

All instructors of majors’ courses must include a statement explaining the attendance policy in their syllabi. The specific way(s) in which attendance is verified and the impact on students' grades is up to each instructor to determine and should also be clearly articulated in syllabi.

Syllabi and Grading

Here is a sample statement for inclusion in a spring semester syllabi for Theatre and Dance majors' courses:

It is the policy of the Department of Theatre and Dance that our majors attend department season productions and that this attendance is a part of the coursework for our majors' classes. For the 2020 fall semester, you are required to attend the following performances: burst!, Year of the Tiger, del corazón nance el enjambre and one of the productions of UTNT (UT New Theatre), Part Two. Information on how to access virtual streaming performances of these productions will become available at theatredance.utexas.edu. 

Note that while all Theatre and Dance majors are required to see departmental productions, only Theatre and Dance majors' courses are required to utilize this as part of the coursework.

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There is no formal department attendance requirement for the 2023/2024 production season. Each instructor is encouraged to make decisions about requiring or encouraging attendance at department productions based on the learning outcomes for their course(s).

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2020/2021 SEASON

Ticketing 

All ticketing for the 2020/2021 Texas Theatre and Dance mainstage season will be pay-what-you-can at a minimum of $5. All members of the Department of Theatre and Dance will receive tickets to all productions free of charge. Those outside the department (including students in non-major courses) will be expected to purchase a ticket. 

Because of this year’s ticketing structure (as outlined above), there will be no major or non-major student ticket packages for the 2020/2021 Season.

Performances

All productions as part of the 2020/2021 Texas Theatre and Dance season will be presented virtually, hosted by the department on Vimeo. Streaming will be available on the Department of Theatre and Dance website. Links to all department events will be available on the department’s website during the duration of the virtual run. Additional digital content will be available for most performances and available for free on the department’s website and through Vimeo. 

Texas Theatre and Dance is committed to the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and audiences. Due to the uncertain nature of our current times, all performances dates, times and presentation details may be subject to change. We are committed to offering clear and frequent communication regarding updates related to performances and our plans to ensure safety for our shared community.

Faculty are encouraged to include information in course syllabi to help students take advantage of the department’s production season and access discounted tickets. The range of options in sample syllabi statements below provides template language for instructors who intend to require productions as well as for instructors who simply want to encourage attendance.

Faculty requiring student attendance should determine their own method for verification (photo prior or after the event, short writing prompt, quiz, etc.). Please note that photography and videography is strictly prohibited in the theatre spaces during performances.

Sample syllabi language:

Required Attendance Option

This course requires students to attend Department of Theatre and Dance productions as part of the 2023/2024 season. Information on discounted tickets for major and non-major students can be found at: theatredance.utexas.edu/discounted-student-tickets. Students with questions or concerns related to ticketing or attending performances as part of this requirement should first contact their instructor to discuss available options.

Students interested in attending shows for free by participating in our volunteer usher program or in applying for paid positions as part of our front of house team may request more information by emailing tadticketing@austin.utexas.edu

Encouraged Attendance Option

Students in this course are encouraged to attend Department of Theatre and Dance productions to enhance course content. Information about discounted student tickets for major and non-major students can be found at: theatredance.utexas.edu/discounted-student-tickets

Students interested in attending shows for free by participating in our volunteer usher program or in applying for positions as part of our front of house team may request more information by emailing tadticketing@austin.utexas.edu