Theatre Department

Raimondo Genna, Chairperson
Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, Room 184D
(605) 658-3486
Department Secretary, Room 184A
(605) 658-3485
theatre@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/theatre

FACULTY

Professor:

Patricia Downey, Ph.D., University of Missouri, Columbia. Specialization: Dance, Choreography, Musical Theatre

Associate Professors:

Raimondo Genna, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego. Specialization: Performance and Theatre Studies, Theatre History, Dramatic Literature,Text Analysis, Film Studies
Chaya Gordon-Bland, M.F.A., University of Pittsburgh. Specialization: Movement, Acting, Directing, Shakespeare
Scott Mollman, M.F.A., University of Pittsburgh. Specialization: Technical Direction, Scenic Construction and Rigging
Matt Nesmith, M.F.A. and M.M., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Musical Theatre Vocal Performance, Directing
Victor Shonk, M.F.A., Ohio State University. Specialization: Scene Design, Scene Painting

Assistant Professors:

Jonathan Allender-Zivic, M.F.A., Western Illinois University. Specialization: Lighting Design, Sound Design
Joseph Stollenwerk, Ph.D., Indiana University. Specialization: Directing, Acting, Playwriting, Theatre History, Film Studies, Gender Studies, Script Analysis

Costume Studio Manager:

Sabrina Egeland

Staff Accompanist:

Christopher Larson

MAJOR:

Theatre, B.F.A.

SPECIALIZATIONS:

Acting
Design/Technology
Musical Theatre
Theatre Studies

MINOR:

Dance
Film Studies
Theatre

Whether you want to act in Shakespeare festivals, musical theatre or television/film; design scenery, costumes, lighting, or sound for the stage or screen; manage teams of artists as a director, stage manager or production manager; or serve your community and profession as an educator/artist, the Department of Theatre helps you to focus your energy, develop your talent and realize your dream. Working closely with faculty mentors, you will realize your creative potential within a supportive and collaborative setting while also building excellent communication, creative problem-solving, and group interpersonal skills that will profit you in any career you might choose.

As its mission the Department of Theatre prepares the student for a career in the theatre and encourages personal and creative growth. It does this by providing a comprehensive liberal arts education, supplemented by intensive craft-training in which classroom study and practical experience are of equal and complementary value. The Department promotes excellence in education, research, and service; promotes student engagement and leadership; develops creative and pragmatic problem-solving skills; explores new questions, techniques, and practices in theatre; and inspires students to become life-long learners who contribute to their respective discipline and profession while enhancing the cultural lives of the University and their community.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Entrance into the Acting, Design/Technology, or Musical Theatre specialization is by permission of the Theatre faculty upon completion of an interview and an audition for Acting or Musical Theatre or an interview and portfolio presentation for the Design/Technology specialization; auditions and interviews are typically held in December, February and April of each academic year. Incoming freshman can submit audition materials through Acceptd, our digital partner, located at https://app.getacceptd.com/usd. On campus auditions and interviews are arranged by appointment.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Theatre Department provides significant funding for Coyote Commitment Scholarships and several Student Talent Scholarships that are available to incoming students who declare a Theatre major. An interview and audition or art/technical portfolio is required. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, register for 2 theatre courses (6 credit hours), and participate in one University Theatre production (on stage or back stage) each semester of this first-year student scholarship. In addition, several endowed scholarships are available to select sophomores through seniors who maintain a 3.0 GPA in the major and who are actively involved in the University Theatre season.

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see College of Fine Arts for school level scholarships.

College of Fine Arts STARS - Theatre
Douglas & Susan Tuve Scholarship Theatre
First Nighters Scholarship
Gladswood Scholarship
Jason J. Truhe Memorial Scholarship
Nelville A. Seeley Theatre Scholarship
Robert C. & Karen R. Twitchell Scholarship
Robert F. & Dorothy Cooper Foote Fine Arts Scholarship
Roger Miller Memorial Scholarship
Strollers Memorial Scholarship
University Theatre Scholarship
Warren M. Lee University Theatre Memorial Scholarship
William A. “Bill” Phelps Theatre Scholarship