Students performing theatre on stage.

Theatre Studies

Attain a comprehensive theatre education so you can be successful in your career in directing, stage management, playwriting or pursuing a graduate degree in theatre.

Why Study Theatre Studies?

As a theatre studies major at USD, you will prepare to be a well-rounded theatre practitioner and scholar. Here, you will grow personally and creatively as you prepare to enter the theatre profession or further your education as a graduate student. Our program provides you with coursework and extracurricular activities where you will cover a broad range of theatre history, dramatic literature, performance, production techniques and practices, and theory.

Develop production techniques, prepare a role for performance and learn to analyze play scripts as a theatre studies major at USD.


Degrees & Offerings

Theatre: Theatre Studies (BFA)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

This program of study is intended for students seeking a comprehensive theatre education.  It is recommended for students wishing to emphasize in the areas of directing, stage management, playwriting, pursuing graduate study in theatre or for those who have not yet decided upon an area of specialization.

Learn more about the theatre program

Program Details

Undergraduate

College

Department

Contact

Admissions

Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education.
An overhead shot of main campus during the sunset.

Black Hills Playhouse

The Black Hills Playhouse, a division of the University of South Dakota College of Fine Arts, is a regional theatre located in Custer State Park. 

USD Theatre Production

Theatre

Whether you are interested in a career in acting, musical theatre, design technology or a related field, the real-world experiences and connections you find in the Department of Theatre will help you get there.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Department of Theatre. Our faculty are experts in their field, contributing research and fostering student engagement and leadership.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Raimondo Genna

Raimondo Genna

Chair-Theatre

Specialty

Theatre History, Critical Theory and Analysis, Performance Studies
Bio Image for Faculty Member Sabrina Egeland

Sabrina Egeland

Assist Professor of Practice-Costume Tech & Mgnt

Specialty

Costume Technology, Costume Shop Management
Bio Image for Faculty Member Scott Mollman

Scott Mollman

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Matthew Nesmith

Matthew Nesmith

Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Victor Shonk

Victor Shonk

Associate Professor
Students performing theatre on stage.

Chase Your Dream Career

Leading artists, artisans and technicians serve as guest artists for USD’s Department of Theatre. From Tony Award-winning choreographers to master puppeteers to cutting-edge automation, we celebrate the amazing wealth of knowledge our fellow artists from across the country and around the world bring to Vermillion and our students.

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