Program Recognition
•Bullet: BA in Performing and Media Arts, a liberal arts degree, not a BFA conservatory program
•Bullet: Curriculum spans theatre, dance, film/television/digital media, and live performance
•Bullet: Four rubric areas: Creative Authorship, Design, Embodied Performance, and History/Theory/Criticism
•Bullet: Cornell PMA offers one undergraduate major plus PMA, Theatre, Film, and Dance minors
Training
•Bullet: Senior Studio capstone project presented publicly at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts
•Bullet: Production laboratory work gives students practical experience with theatre productions, dance concerts, and film shoots
•Bullet: Department facilities include theatre spaces, a dance theatre and studios, film editing/production suites, and scenery and costume shops
Notable Alumni
•Bullet: Jane Lynch — Emmy winner, Sue Sylvester on Glee •Bullet: Scott Ferguson — 5-time Emmy-winning producer, EP of Succession •Bullet: Arthur Laurents — playwright and screenwriter, West Side Story and Gypsy •Bullet: Sam Gold — Tony winner for Best Direction, Fun Home •Bullet: Maria Dizzia — Tony-nominated actor, In the Next Room Study Abroad
•Bullet: Cornell University in Los Angeles Study Away Semester begins Spring 2027 as an optional 12-credit spring program open to Cornell students
•Bullet: PMA transfer and study-away credit is reviewed case-by-case with the Director of Undergraduate Studies
Degree Flexibility
•Bullet: Honors program available for PMA majors with strong coursework
•Bullet: Double majoring is common and encouraged within the College of Arts and Sciences
•Bullet: Students from all Cornell colleges may pursue PMA minors
