Theatre Department

Eric Hagen, Chairperson
Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, Room 184E
(605) 677-5736
Department secretary, Room 184A
(605) 677-5418
theatre@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/theatre

FACULTY:

Professors:

Tim Case, Scene Design, Scene Painting, Film
Eric Hagen, Directing, Acting, Stage Combat
Priscilla Hagen, Acting, Voice & Speech for the Stage

Associate Professors:

Patricia Downey, Dance, Choreography, Musical Theatre
Scott Mollman, Technical Direction, Scenic Construction and Rigging
Linda Wigley Scribner, Costume Design, Make-up

Assistant Professors:

Chaya Gordon-Bland, Movement, Acting, Directing, Shakespeare
Raimondo Genna, Theatre History, Text Analysis, Film
Matt Nesmith, Musical Theatre Voice and Acting
Anthony Pellecchia, Lighting and Sound Design, Stage Management

MAJOR:

Theatre, B.F.A.

SPECIALIZATIONS:

Acting
Design/Technology
Musical Theatre
Theatre

MINOR:

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

A 2.50 grade point average in theatre coursework is required for graduation with a B.F.A. By the time the student is a junior, a 3.00 GPA is required in the professional focus area for continuation in the Acting, Design/Technology, or Musical Theatre specializations. 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.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Theatre Department provides significant funding for Coyote Commitment Scholarships and several First-year 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.