The Department of Theatre Studies was established in 1996 as a study and research unit which combines the studies of performing arts – theatre, film and video art, dance, music and performance art. The mission of the department has always been to become an internationally renowned centre of theatre studies and research which conducts fundamental and continuing analysis of the comparative history of Lithuanian theatre, theory of performance arts, engages in the formation of methodologies of performance studies and dissemination thereof both in Lithuania and abroad. Therefore, the department pays great attention to the quality of its studies, scientific research and dissemination of its results. It also seeks to promote international study, research and project exchanges and cooperates with the best Lithuanian study, research and art institutions.

At the very beginning, the Department of Theatre Studies was headed by ex-Rector of VMU, Honorary Professor, and the founder of the Department of Theatre Studies, Prof. Bronius Vaškelis. Since 2003, Prof. Jurgita Staniškytė has been heading the department.

The Department of Theatre Studies conducts three programmes: an undergraduate programme of Art History and Research, a graduate programme of Theatre Research and Management, and a doctoral programme in the field of art research, the study area of humanities. Four doctoral theses have already been defended and five doctoral students at the moment are doing their research in the Department of Theatre Studies.

Students of the Department of Theatre Studies are provided with an opportunity to participate in the international study exchange or training programmes such as LLP/Erasmus. The department has singed agreements with many leading European universities of the field: University of Helsinki (Finland), University of Bergen (Norway), Stockholm University (Sweden), Rouen University (France), University of Tartu (Estonia), Jagiellonian University in Kraków and Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (Poland).

The department was proud to host such renowned theatre scholars as visiting professors: Prof. Hans-Thies Lehmann (Goethe University in Frankfurt), Assoc. Prof. Knut Ove Arntzen (University of Bergen), Assoc. Prof. Stephen Wilmer (Trinity College Dublin), John Keefe (London Metropolitan University), Prof. Grant McKernie (University of Oregon).

Researchers of the Department of Theatre Studies have been actively participating in international scientific research projects, they publish extensively in scientific and professional journals, teach or perform research in the world class universities, participate in international summer schools and educational programmes of performance festivals, take part in the activities of various professional and academic organisations.

Academic staff
Head of the Department, Prof. dr. Jurgita Staniškytė (e-mail: j.staniskyte@mf.vdu.lt)
Prof. Ph. D. Bronius Vaškelis (professor emeritus) (e-mail: bronius@vaskelis.com)
Assoc. Prof. dr. Ina Pukelytė (e-mail: i.pukelyte@mf.vdu.lt)
Assoc. Prof. dr. Edgaras Klivis (e-mail: e.klivis@mf.vdu.lt)
Assoc. Prof. dr. Rūta Mažeikienė (e-mail: r.mazeikiene@mf.vdu.lt)
Dr. Martynas Petrikas (e-mail: m.petrikas@mf.vdu.lt)
Dr. Nomeda Šatkauskienė (e-mail: n.stakauskiene@mf.vdu.lt)
Vitalija Truskauskaitė (e-mail: v.truskauskaite@mf.vdu.lt)
Gediminas Jankauskas (e-mail: g.jankauskas@mf.vdu.lt)

Part-time possitions
Assoc. Prof. Knut Ove Arntzen
Assoc. Prof. dr. Saulius Gerulis
Assoc. Prof. dr. Ramutis Karmalavičius
Assoc. Prof. dr. Rasa Vasinauskaitė
Dr. Gediminas Karoblis
Dr. Audronė Mykolaitytė

Teaching assistants / Ph. D. students:
Lina Klusaitė (e-mail: l.klusaite@mf.vdu.lt)
Asta Petrikienė (e-mail: a.petrikiene@mf.vdu.lt)
Jūratė Grigaitienė (e-mail: j.grigaitiene@mf.vdu.lt)
Asta Valiukaitė (e-mail: a.valiukaite@mf.vdu.lt)
Greta Klimavičiūtė-Minkštimienė (e-mail: g.klimaviciute-minkstimiene@mf.vdu.lt)