The Department of Theatre & Dance at Southeast Missouri State University is delighted that you are interested in pursuing a professional career as an actor, dancer, director, choreographer, designer, technician, or teacher. No doubt, you are in the midst of deciding which university you wish to attend after high school. As I am sure you are aware, this is one of the most important decisions you will make in launching a successful career. You will have many choices and decisions to make in the upcoming months.
Southeast Missouri State University offers one of the most affordable quality liberal arts educations in the nation, and the Department of Theatre & Dance is at the core of the new School of Visual & Performing Arts and the new $40M River Campus facilities (opening 2007). The Department of Theatre & Dance is an intensive pre-professional training program within the context of a liberal arts education designed to prepare students for advanced educational programs, internships, and the professional performing arts market. Yes, you can make a living doing what you love to do.
The Department of Theatre & Dance offers the following degree programs and minors:
The department has nine full-time professional faculty and two full-time staff, plus approximately eighty majors. Each year, the department produces six major, faculty-directed/choreographed productions, resulting in ample opportunity for students to gain experience in one of our professionally equipped theatres or studios. The department also regularly incorporates outside professional companies and guest artists into its normal on-campus programming, and it strongly emphasizes student professional development through outside professional jobs, internships, masterclasses, conventions, and festivals.
The only true way to select a program that is right for you is to visit. Therefore, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our faculty, staff, and students, to participate in classes for a day, and to see a production. We are delighted to answer your questions about our program and career opportunities. We are also happy to discuss our generous scholarship and workship programs. Thank you for your interest in the Department of Theatre & Dance; we look forward to helping you nurture your performing arts career while “Experiencing Southeast.”
Sincerely,
Rhonda Weller-Stilson, Chair
(573) 651-2149
E-mail: rstilson@semo.edu
