Theatre
Theatre
Artistic and Intellectual Excellence in Theatre
The BFA in Theatre is geared for those students focused on future careers as performers, technicians, designers.
The BA in Theatre promotes a broad array of coursework with a flexible approach to specialization for a more comprehensive and well-rounded education in theatre studies. The BA is particularly appropriate for young directors, stage managers, and dramaturgs. This degree plan balances analysis and creativity with the awareness of theatre's importance to society.
The University of Southern Mississippi in an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
What Will I Learn?
In a production-oriented environment, students take courses in:
- Directing
- Acting
- Design & Technology, including Lighting and Sound, Costuming, and Scenery
- Theatre History
- Professional Preparation
- A selection of additional coursework tailored to individual student interest.
Scholarships
The theatre program offers scholarship consideration to students who complete their online registration, attend "Curtain Up Welcome Day", and complete a successful audition/interview. Service awardees must complete 15 hours of service for the program each semester by working the High School Drama Festival and other activities.
Special Scholarships
The highly exclusive and competitive scholarships are awarded by the theatre faculty for talented and needy students. These awards range from $100-$8,000.
USM Foundation Awards
The USM Foundation administers a variety of scholarships for eligible students through a scholarship application system that has many useful online features and benefits. Students can easily search, review requirements, apply and accept awards for available scholarship opportunities. Interested students can apply for all scholarships administered by the USM Foundation using this online application. Students are required to complete the application only once each academic year. Students will be considered for one of these scholarships after successful completion of their freshman year. Apply for scholarships
- Travel and exposure to the broader world of theatre are critical to the development of actors. Southern Miss is an active participant in our ten-state region in both the Southeastern Theatre Conference and the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
- The Study Abroad programs Southern Miss rank among the best in the country, and its five-week British Studies program features internationally renowned guest artists in musical theatre, Shakespeare and contemporary drama. Two-week programs in London Theatre and in the Performing Arts at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland have been offered as well. All of these credit programs are eligible for financial aid. Noncredit travel is also available: the New York Theatre Tour and the London Theatre Tour delight students and community members during spring break. Southern Miss theatre students who take advantage of these extraordinary learning opportunities may be better prepared to enter the professional world.
Availability
| Degree Plan | Availability |
|---|---|
| Theatre BA | Hattiesburg |
| Theatre (Acting) BFA | Hattiesburg |
| Theatre (Design and Technology) BFA | Hattiesburg |
| Theatre Minor | |
| Apparel Construction and Design Certificate |
- Actor
- Designer
- Stage Manager
- Aleshea Harris
Obie Award-winning Playwriting,
Is God Is - Carlos Nine
Entertainment Tech lead/lighting designer at King's Dominion; graduate student at Texas State University. - Freddie Ashley
Atlanta Artistic Director of Actor’s Express theatre, actor, director - Sophie Santos, Acting
Talk Show Host of
Lesbian Agenda
- Zdenko Martin
Broadway actor, understudy, Ivo van Hove’s production of
A View from the Bridge - Chris Marroy
Freelance actor in Los Angeles; member of SAG/AFTRA. - J.D. Evermore
film actor,
The Walking Dead, Deep Water Horizon, Twelve Years a Slave, True Detective - Meredith Wyn Morris
Professional Voice Over Artist
- Langston Darby, Acting
Off-Broadway actor,
The Black History Museum…According to the United States of America - Kaylyn Kriaski
Stage manager at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre; company management intern at Hanger Theatre. - Courtney Jones, Acting
MFA in Voice Studies, London’s Central School of Speech and Drama - Tony Reimonenq III, Acting
Professional Actor, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Kentucky Shakespeare Company
We can't wait to welcome prospective students to Curtain Up! Here, you will meet faculty and students representing the many degree programs and production areas!
Our season offers a wide range of plays from strong drama to wildly funny satire. We can't wait to return to the stage!