Theatre Department

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Eric Hagen, Chairperson
Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, Room 184A
(605) 677-5418
theatre@usd.edu

http://www.usd.edu/theatre

FACULTY:

Professors:

Tim Case, Scene Design, Scene Painting
Eric Hagen, Directing, Acting, Stage Combat , Stage Management
Priscilla Hagen, Acting, Voice & Speech for the Stage
Ronald L. Moyer, Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, Directing, Acting

Associate Professors:

Scott Mollman, Technical Direction, Scenic Construction and Rigging
Roberta N. Rude, Movement for the Stage, Directing, Acting
Linda Wigley Scribner, Costume Design, Make-up

Assistant Professors:

Patricia Downey, Dance, Choreography, Musical Theatre
Nanette Hofer, Musical Theatre Voice and Acting
Anthony Pellecchia, Lighting and Sound Design

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 at The U. helps you to focus your energies, 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. In addition to arts and entertainment professionals, theatre majors have become successful lawyers, public relations directors, newscasters, ministers, advertising executives, sales managers, restaurateurs and educators.

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. A 3.00 GPA is required in the professional focus area for continuation in the Acting, Design/Technology, or Musical Theatre specialization. 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

Several First-year Student Talent Scholarships are available to incoming freshmen who declare a Theatre major. An interview and audition or art/technical portfolio are 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.

Endowed scholarships (awarded by faculty to select sophomore-seniors who maintain a 3.0 GPA in the major, a 2.5 overall GPA, and who are actively involved in the University Theatre season) include:

• Dorothy & Robert Foote Scholarship
• First Nighters Scholarship
• Harvey J. & Alwayne B. Gunderson Scholarship (available to Senior Theatre major)
• Louise Hansen Scholarship
• Nelville A. Seeley Theatre Scholarship
• Robert & Karen Twitchell Scholarship
• Roger Miller Memorial Scholarship
• Strollers Memorial Scholarship
• University Theatre Scholarship
• Warren M. Lee University Theatre Scholarship
• Wayne S. & Esther M. Knutson Scholarship

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