Undergraduate Advising

Students are encouraged to meet with the Undergraduate Academic Advisor at least once a semester to create an academic program plan and track educational progress. The goal of advising is to create the optimum educational and artistic experience, and prepare you for whatever path you choose to take.

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Laxmi Kumaran

Schedule An Appointment

laxmik@berkeley.edu

Current or prospective students may contact Laxmi about course requirements, declaring a major or minor, capstone experiences, or any questions related to TDPS undergraduate programs.

Peer Advisors

Peer Advisors are TDPS majors who are familiar with the department, actively use student advising, take advantage of the opportunities and courses offered here, and are willing to talk about their TDPS experience. They are available to email, video chat, or talk on the phone with current or prospective students.

Keila Cooke

Majors: Dance & Performance Studies / Mathematics (teaching concentration)
Focus Area: Choreography and Performance
Pronouns: She/Her
Email: Keilacooke@berkeley.edu

“I came to UC Berkeley as solely a Math Major. I love math, but after taking beginning modern dance, I found the dance major too enticing to stay away. Hence, a double major! I have been dancing since I was little, but through TDPS, I have fallen in love with dance all over again. I also discovered a personal dream to choreograph for musical theater productions! I am involved in this department as well as student organizations as a dancer, actor, choreographer, and intimacy choreographer. If you have any questions regarding a double major, balancing extracurriculars or a job (I am a Campus Ambassador as well), in addition to dance and theater at Cal, feel free to reach out. I love to chat!”

Alethea DeLay

Major: Theater & Performance Studies
Focus Area: Acting and Directing
Pronouns: She/Her
Email: delayalethea@berkeley.edu

"I’m a TDPS major with an emphasis on acting and directing. I grew up around Berkeley and have a strong connection to the Bay Area theater scene. I work at Berkeley playhouse as a teaching artist with their YouthStage (director, choreographer, assistant director) as well as a house and office manager. If you have questions about off campus opportunities or working in the field as a student, please come to me! Since coming to campus, I’ve acted with Untitled Theater, the Music and Italian departments, and TDPS. I am a director of events and outreach with Performing Arts on Campus Callboard (PACC), a weekly performing arts newsletter- sign up for the inside scoop! (Paccberkeley.org) I have a passion for learning languages, so if you’re interested in multi-lingual theater, let me know:) You’re gonna be fine, and you belong here, go bears! <3"

Sama Keshavarzrad

Major: Theater & Performance Studies
Focus Area: Acting and Costume Design
Email: s2004@berkeley.edu

“I am an undergraduate student focusing on acting in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies at UC Berkeley. I believe that we are all actors in our daily lives, performing differently depending on our surroundings, and that through acting, we can better understand people, personalities, and the world around us. In addition to acting, I have a strong interest in costume design and fashion. I enjoy exploring how clothing and style shape the way characters and stories come to life on stage. Also, how fashion can be a tool for expression and identity in everyday life. Outside of TDPS, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, eating out, traveling, performing, and playing piano. As a Peer Advisor, I’m excited to support fellow students in finding their place in the department and growing as both artists as well as individuals.”

Nia Robinson

Major: Theater & Performance Studies
Focus Area: Acting and Dancing
Pronouns: She/Her
Email: nini.b-612@berkeley.edu

“My TDPS major is Theater & Performance Studies, with focuses in dancing and acting, and I am also pursuing a simultaneous Computer Science degree in the CDSS college. On campus, I typically participate in several events hosted by other black students and clubs/organizations, such as the BSU, BRRC, The Natural Hair Decal, and several of the black sororities and fraternities. I am personally a member of Cal's majorette dance team, The Bearettes, as well as the cybersecurity club, Berk1337 ("Berkleet"). I am also planning on kickstarting a UC Berkeley chapter of the Women in Cybersecurity organization, as of Fall 2025! For some brief background info about myself, I have been a performer since before I can remember, and I've also been involved in STEM for almost just as long, hence my decision to pursue simultaneous degrees. I fully plan on pursuing both careers post-college and am happy to offer any advice that I can about determining what you want to do in the future, making the right decisions to put you on the path meant for you, and general advice about navigating all that comes with being a hard-working student here at Cal! Lastly, the TDPS department is an extremely diverse and open-minded community of amazing people that I am also more than happy to provide assistance in navigating. Here's to an amazing school year of peer advising -- Go Bears!”

Nori Quist

Major: Theater & Performance Studies
Focus Area: Technical Theater, Stage Management, Lighting
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: elleanor.quist@berkeley.edu

“I have been doing technical theater since high school, and I really love helping a show come together from behind the scenes. Coming into Cal, I knew I wanted to be an assistant stage manager, but theater 168 helped me branch out into lighting as well. As an over hire electrician, I have been able to gain some experience professionally while continuing to learn from TDPS. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about stage management, working at professional theaters, or just the technical theater side of TDPS in general. Welcome to Cal!”