The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance is one of the top 30 musical theatre programs in the country and the best theatre program in Missouri. It’s also one of the only schools in the U.S. with a commercial dance program.
At Dobbins Conservatory, you’ll get strong training to become a great performer, plus the business skills to help you start a career in places like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and more. You’ll learn from top professionals in the industry and train with talented students from all over the country. And you’ll do it all in one of the most beautiful and well-equipped arts facilities in the Midwest.
Academic Programs
Theatre
Discover your path to on-stage success. With programs in Acting, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Design and Technology, you'll find your fit in producing award-winning performances.
Dance
Learn skills and techniques to help you thrive in your career in the arts. Explore all aspects of dance, including different areas of training, production, and professional development.
Course Rotations
Do you want to check to make sure your class is offered in the semester that you need it? Or perhaps you want to plan your schedule for the next year or two. Check the course rotation schedule to get an idea of when the courses you need are offered.
Explore Theatre & Dance
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Admissions
If you are planning to major in acting, dance, or musical theatre, you will be required to audition for admission to those programs. Auditioning also includes opportunities for scholarships with the Theatre and Dance programs.
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Venues and Studios
Students will have full use of all River Campus venues and studios, which include performance halls, the scene shop, the costume shop, and more.
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Training
Students get to train with professional faculty in acting, singing, dancing, stage combat, and film/television.
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Festivals
Students are invited to participate in the Lanford Wilson New American Festival, the Fault Line Film Festival, and the American College Dance Association each year.
Experiential Learning
Practice and hone your skills to prepare you for your career. As a student in Theatre and Dance, you'll have a wealth of opportunities to produce, act, create, and more. You will participate in live, on-stage productions throughout the year and showcase your playwriting work in the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival and the Fault Line Film Festival. You can also earn certifications, participate in conferences, and get the opportunity to perform in New York City.
Productions
Current Production
Our students pour their hearts into their performances and craft. Come join us and enjoy their hard work in rehearsal, costume creation, and set design. Our 2024-2025 season is wrapping up, but if you join the River Campus Events email list, you can get a sneak peak for the 2025-2026 season.
Explore the SEMO Stages
Accreditations
Mission Statement and Goals
Mission Statement
Southeast Missouri State University provides student-centered education and experiential learning with a foundation of liberal arts and sciences, embracing a tradition of access, exceptional teaching, and commitment to student success that significantly contributes to the development of the region and beyond.
The Earl and Margie Holland College of Arts & Media prepares students to launch professional careers in the arts, entertainment, and media industries while inspiring excellence, a passion for training, knowledge, critical thinking, creativity, and engaged citizenship.
The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance is a professional training and liberal arts program with a fourfold mission:
- Diverse Technique Training
- Professional Quality Productions
- Career Preparation
- Liberal Arts Education
Goal
Our goal is to provide students with training, experiences, knowledge, and connections to launch a rewarding career in the arts and entertainment industries. Dedicated to the free and open pursuit of broad-based knowledge, Dobbins Conservatory also provides students with a liberal arts education, giving them a multi-faceted view of the world.
Southeast Missouri State University is ranked as a “Best in the Midwest” by US News & World Report as one of the top liberal arts educations at an affordable price, and Dobbins Conservatory is one of the preeminent programs in the Holland College and its beautiful River Campus facilities, Missouri’s only separate campus devoted solely to the arts.
Dobbins Conservatory has more than 200 undergraduate majors and 20 full-time faculty and staff, plus numerous adjunct faculty, box office, front-of-house, marketing, and River Campus personnel. The Conservatory is also served by the Theatre & Dance Society, an extraordinary community organization dedicated to fundraising for the many co-curricular and extracurricular activities produced each year.
Take the Next Step
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701