Performing Arts
At UC San Diego, the performing arts thrive through a culture of experimentation and collaboration. Our stages are home to a diverse array of productions, from boundary-pushing experimental theatre to concerts featuring world-class musicians, all contributing to a vibrant and transformative arts ecosystem.
Whether attending a student-led production or experiencing a performance from internationally renowned artists, the performing arts at UC San Diego invite audiences to engage deeply with creativity in all its forms.
Theatre and Dance
Experimentation and expertise unite on stage at UC San Diego. The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theatre District is home to the nationally renowned Department of Theatre and Dance and the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse. Sharing versatile stages, talented artists and innovative production managers, audiences are treated to pioneering performances — many of which make their way to Broadway.
Department of Theatre and Dance
Experience the distinctive storytelling of the next generation of theatre professionals. UC San Diego’s Theatre and Dance MFA program is ranked 1st on the West Coast and is led by Tony Award-nominated faculty and industry experts who are actively working on Broadway. More than a dozen productions are premiered each academic year, with talented student directors, actors, designers, stage managers, playwrights and dramaturgs partnering to present unforgettable shows.
La Jolla Playhouse
La Jolla Playhouse, located on the university campus, has become the place to see what’s next on the American theatre landscape. From Tony Award-winning plays and musicals to the innovative Without Walls (WOW) immersive theatre festival, the Playhouse tells stories that inspire empathy and create a dialogue toward a more just future. The Playhouse also provides residencies for UC San Diego graduate students and internships for undergraduate students.
Jacobs Theatre District Venues
The Department of Theatre and Dance and La Jolla Playhouse share the use of four theatres: the Mandell Weiss Theatre, the Mandell Weiss Forum, the Forum Studio and the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. Performances by the department are also held in the Arthur Wagner Theatre in Galbraith Hall and Dance Studio 3.
Theatre and Dance Events
Without Walls (WOW) Festival Weekly Connection Jam Dance Workshops
Music
Music at UC San Diego is adventurous. Performances range from immersive electronic music rooted in Afrofuturism and chamber operas that illuminate critical issues in society to new music inspired by the sonification of extreme environments and dynamic percussion ensembles that will leave you riveted. Experience the experimental and the classic in acoustically flawless concert halls, expansive outdoor amphitheaters and cozy lounges across campus.
Department of Music
Founded by composers over 40 years ago, UC San Diego’s Department of Music is internationally recognized for extending the boundaries of contemporary music using the newest technologies. Functioning as an experimental laboratory, the department hosts more than 200 concerts each year featuring a spectrum of music — from classical and jazz to electronic and computer music.
Conrad Prebys Music Center
Conrad Prebys Music Center, home to the Department of Music, includes the award-winning Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, a 350-seat venue designed by famed acoustician Cyril M. Harris. The expansive space also includes an experimental theater equipped with spatial sound and variable-acoustics technology as well as a 150-seat recital hall for intimate performances.
Student-Centered Performances
ArtPower
ArtPower presents performing and media arts that engage, energize and transform the diverse cultural life of the university and San Diego community.
AS Concerts and Events
The Associated Students Office of Concerts & Events is dedicated to a transformative student experience, programming events like the annual Sun God Festival.
View More AS Concerts and Events
The Loft
A student-centered, community-driven performance lounge for live shows, films, discussions and art.
Immersive Campus Venues
Epstein Family Amphitheater
Located in the heart of campus, the amphitheater provides a dynamic outdoor space for students, faculty and the broader community to experience live music, theatre, dance and other cultural events. With its state-of-the-art design and stunning architectural features, the venue accommodates up to 2,650 attendees, offering an immersive experience for a wide range of performances.
Mandeville Auditorium
The largest indoor performance venue on campus, Mandeville Auditorium offers 800 seats and a versatile space that is ideal for dance, concerts and theatre, as well as conferences and lectures. The venue regularly hosts performances by La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, a nonprofit UC San Diego affiliate that presents six concert pairs annually in the auditorium.
Atkinson Hall Auditorium and Theater
UC San Diego Qualcomm Institute’s Atkinson Hall is a premier venue for events, productions and performances, both for the academic community and general public. The QI Auditorium and associated spaces are outfitted with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, and QI’s experienced staff are committed to making every event a success.
