The Department of Drama, Theatre & Dance offers the study of the subjects appropriate for a liberal arts degree. A balanced combination of theory and practice aims at giving an understanding of the arts of drama, theatre and dance that can serve as a foundation for graduate study. Every effort is made to provide scope for the development of individual talent and skills as a preliminary step for those students who intend to pursue future conservatory training for a stage or dance career.

The department offers strong, diversified academic programs in theatre (covering history, literature, acting, directing, stage management, design, and technical theatre), and dance (modern, ballet, tap, Asian and African dance, choreography, and history). Each year, on our three stages, the department presents a wide range of five fully realized productions. These are dramas and comedies, classic and modern plays, new plays, musicals, operas, and dance concerts. Under the guidance of faculty and guest directors and designers, student actors and dancers perform for audiences drawn from all segments of the college community, as well as Queens neighborhoods.

There are also several opportunities annually for student actors and dancers to produce and direct work under faculty supervision. In addition to providing opportunities for students to major or minor in Drama, Theatre & Dance, the department devotes many of its offerings to courses that satisfy mandated general education requirements in the liberal arts. Moreover, non-majors participate regularly and extensively​ in all aspects of our production program as actors, dancers, technicians, and backstage crew members. No auditions or interviews are necessary for students to become majors. Anyone enrolled at Queens College is eligible to do so by 1) filing the declaration for majors and 2) fulfilling the departmental requirements.