Major in Acting

At SEMO, we have one of the nation’s only campuses dedicated to the arts. The Southeast River Campus is home to the Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance and provides unique opportunities to students pursuing a career in the performing arts. From main stage theatre productions, master classes, summer intensive programs, a showcase in NYC or Los Angeles, come see why we are ranked the #1 undergraduate theatre program in the state of Missouri and ranked in the top 30 programs in the nation! That makes SEMO's one of the best acting degrees in the nation.

 Learn by Leading as a Major in Acting

• Training. Study with experienced faculty and staff in the areas of acting, scene study, movement, voice, stage combat, Shakespeare, and improvisation for live theatre, film, and television.  
• Performance. Opportunities to perform in world-class venues in four mainstage theatre productions, one mainstage dance concert, two second stage theatre productions, and one second stage dance concert, as well as a host of one-acts, readings, cabarets, improv shows, and so on.  
• Learn Across Disciplines. Opportunity to take courses in directing, playwriting, musical theatre, and design.
• Certification in Stage Combat. Study 3 levels of stage combat in conservatory and participate in the annual Dueling Arts International summer residency, which provides combat training and certification for both stage and screen.  
• Collaborate on New Plays. Every production season includes at least one world premiere, including collaborations with Tony, Oscar, and Emmy-winners.
• Career Development. Prepare to launch a career in the industry through auditioning classes, as well as entrepreneurship classes and Senior Portfolio.  
• Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Perform in the annual new play festival with guest artists and playwrights from across the country.  
• Fault Line Film Festival. Act in one of dozens of student films produced as part of the annual nationwide festival held on the Southeast campus.  
• Housing. Live and train in the beautiful River Campus on the banks of the Mississippi.  
• Guest Artists. Benefit from an established program of master classes and residencies with professional guest actors, directors, and industry professionals.  
• Study Abroad. Train at the prestigious NSKI University College in Oslo, Norway, the only institution in Scandinavia to teach Method Acting at degree level.  
• Professional Auditions. Participate in numerous combined and individual professional theatre auditions across the country.  
• Intensives and Professional Employment. Complete a required internship through various summer intensive acting programs and professional employment.  
• Student Organizations. Join Alpha Psi Omega Honorary Theatre Fraternity, as well as any of our student production companies and improv troupes.  
• BFA Reviews. Learn from faculty committees dedicated to providing individual feedback on training, academics, and career development for every student.  
• BFA Project. Perform in a faculty or guest-artist directed mainstage or second stage production, followed by a project review with a faculty committee.  
• Los Angeles or NYC Showcase. Participate in one of two showcases: Los Angeles with Actors Connection or New York City with The CRY HAVOC Company.  

What Can You Do as a Major in Acting?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. Our boldly supportive faculty will provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Major in Acting Graduates

• Broadway, NYC
• Off Broadway & Off Off Broadway, NYC
• Goodman Theatre in Chicago
• The Public Theatre, NYC
• Cirque du Solei
• Second City, Chicago
• Lucille Lortell Theatre, NYC
• Virginia Shakespeare Festival
• B-Street Theatre
• Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre
• NBC Universal
• Actor’s Theatre of Louisville
• Olney Theatre in Washington, DC
• Williamstown Theatre Festival
• St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
• Julliard, NYC
• Disney Internships
• Upright Citizens Brigade, NYC
• Stella Adler School of Acting, NYC
• Film and Television