2018 witnessed the centennial anniversary of the establishment Chung-Ang University. For the past century the University has cultivated a great number of outstanding individuals who have been contributing to the society and this great nation. Now in the age of globalization, we value more than ever the shoulder-to-shoulder cooperation with world-famous universities.
The Department of Theatre at Chung-Ang University was established in 1959, making the University to become the first four-year institution to offer theatrical education and the first institution to provide graduate and doctoral programmes in this field throughout South Korea. The Department of Theatre enjoys a splendid history and a proud tradition. Alumni of the Department now pursue careers in various fields such as theatre, film, TV, musical, representing the culture and art of South Korea. The Department remains the most prestigious department of performing arts in South Korea.
In 2003, the University ranked No. 1 in National Comparative Assessment of Theatre Arts in 5 different perspectives - faculty, students and graduates, teaching environment, facilities and budget, as well as approval ratings. Since 2005 Chung-Ang University’s Theatre and Film Department has been notably recognized to be the first collegiate institution that provides individualized education plans for its students, and receives active support from the Ministry of Education.
In 2007, after transferred to the new campus in Daehak-Ro, Seoul, the Theatre Department also updated its curriculum. The major for stage directing and design was established to advance the department’s educational system, and moreover, to cultivate its students. The Performing Arts Centre of Chung-Ang University was established in 2001. It is the cradle of theatre arts education due to the support of the department and its distinguished alumni. The Performing Arts Centre consists of two theatres (Studio Theatre and Theatre Laboratory) and five rehearsal rooms.
In addition to Acting and Directing, Musical Theatre and Performance Planning are established respectively in 2013 and 2014 into the discipline structure in order to build the Department into a platform of fostering talents that meet the needs of national development.
The Department excels in international cooperation. In 2006, the Department established the International Conference of Cultural Arts and Theatre Festivals for Universities from South Korea, China and Japan. In 2008, we successfully hosted the IFTR (International Federation for Theatre Research), which involved 280 participants from 34 countries, captivating the attention of theatre scholars around the world.
As an active founding member of both ATEC (Asia Theatre Education Center) and WTEA (World Theatre Education Alliance), it has also signed a MOU with overseas universities in theatre arts to actively promote and support the faculty and students in terms of performances, joint degrees and various international exchanges.In addition, in 2014, we set up the major of Musical and Production Brokerage in addition to Acting and Directing to increase future talented students.
