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Theatre Degree

BA On-Campus Main Campus
DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

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Explore every side of theatre. Explore your fearless.

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre gives you the flexibility to explore performance, design, production, directing, playwriting, and theatre history while building a strong liberal arts education. Whether you're preparing for graduate school, a career in theatre, or combining theatre with another field, you'll develop creative, technical, and collaborative skills through classroom learning and production experience.

Learn by Leading in the BA Theatre Program

The Southeast River Campus, home to the Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance provides many opportunities for the aspiring artist. Come see why we are ranked the #1 undergraduate theatre program in the state of Missouri and ranked in the top 30 theatre programs in the nation!  

Explore Every Side of Theatre

  • Training. Study with experienced faculty and staff in acting, directing, design, stage management, production, theatre history, and playwriting while discovering where your interests take you.
  • Career / Post-Graduate Preparation. Prepare for post-graduate study or rewarding careers in theatre or related industries.

Learn Through Production 

  • Production. Backstage and onstage opportunities 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.
  • Collaborate on New Plays and Musicals. Every production season includes at least one world premiere, including collaborations with Tony, Oscar, and Emmy-winners.

Create Alongside Professionals

  • Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Participate in the annual new play festival with guest artists and playwrights from across the country.
  • Fault Line Film Festival. Participate in one of dozens of student films produced as part of the annual nationwide festival.

Live Where Creativity Happens 

  • Housing. Live and train on the beautiful River Campus on the banks of the Mississippi.
  • Student Organizations. Join Alpha Psi Omega Honorary Theatre Fraternity, as well as any of our student production companies and improv troupes.

What Can You Do with a Theatre Degree?

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre prepares graduates for careers throughout the performing arts while building communication, collaboration, creative problem-solving, and leadership skills that are valued across many industries. Some graduates continue into professional theatre or graduate school, while others pursue careers in arts management, education, entertainment, film, communications, and nonprofit organizations. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Theatre Degree Graduates

  • NBC Universal
  • Milwaukee Repertory Theatre
  • Discovery Channel
  • Santa Fe Opera
  • Northwestern University
  • Notre Dame Shakespeare
  • Syracuse Stage
  • Georgia Shakespeare Festival
  • Lifetime TV
  • Virginia Shakespeare Festival
  • B Street Theatre
  • New York University–Tisch School of the Arts
  • Opera Theatre of St. Louis
  • Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre
  • Black Hills Playhouse
  • Hallmark Movies
  • Temple University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Michigan State University
  • Williamstown Theatre Festival
  • New Stages Theatre
  • Disney World

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Theatre (BA) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

View the Degree Map

Degrees in Theatre Outcomes & Careers

  • $79k

    Sound Engineer Technician 

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage salary for a sound engineer technician is $79,280. 

  • $23/hr

    Actor

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for an actor is $23.33.. 

  • $114k

    Producer

    A producer can earn an average of $114,280 annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

The Knowledge to Fuel Fearless Futures

Students in the B.A. Theatre program explores any aspects of the performing arts. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is not required.

Required Courses:

  • TH105 Rehearsal & Production I (1 x 2 semesters)
  • TH111 Introduction to Theatre Design & Technology (3)
  • TH150 Makeup for Actors (3)
  • TH181 Script Analysis (3)
  • TH218 Acting I (3)
  • TH265 Drawing for Theatre I (3)
  • TH275 Stage Management (3)
  • TH305 Rehearsal & Production II (1 x 6 semesters)
  • TH490 Theatre History I (3)
  • TH495 Theatre History II (3)
Choose 3 hours:
  • TH385 Directing I (3)
  • TH387 Playwriting (3)

Electives – 6 hours (at least 3 hours must be 300/400 level):

  • TH122 Class Voice for Musical Theatre I (3)
  • TH123 Class Voice/Mus Theatre II (3)
  • TH219 Auditioning I (1)
  • TH223 Movement for the Actor I (3)
  • TH228 Acting II (3)
  • TH317 Voice for the Actor I (3)
  • TH318 Musical Theatre Performance I (3)
  • TH319 Acting for Film and Television (3)
  • TH321 Stage Combat I (3)
  • TH323 Movement for the Actor II (3)
  • TH327 Auditioning II (2)
  • TH328 Acting III (3)
  • TH329 Acting IV (3)
  • TH385 Directing I (3)
  • TH387 Playwriting (3)
  • TH416 Acting Styles (3)
  • TH417 Voice for the Actor II (3)
  • TH418 Musical Theatre Performance II (3)
  • TH419 Acting for Film & Television II (3)
  • TH429 Accents/Dialects for the Actor (3)
  • TH431 Stage Combat II (3)
  • TH432 Stage Combat III (3)
  • TH485 Directing II (3)
  • TH487 Playwright-Director Collaboration (3)

Electives – choose 6 hours (at least 3 hours must be 300/400 level):

  • TH155 Makeup (3)
  • TH231 Stagecraft (3)
  • TH251 Draping & Patterning for Theatre (3)
  • TH267 Drawing for the Theatre II (3)
  • TH286 Audio Production (3)
  • TH287 Production Engineering (3)
  • TH291 Properties Construction (3)
  • TH350 Stage Lighting I (3)
  • TH351 Costume Design I (3)
  • TH353 Costume Craft (3)
  • TH356 Wig & Make-up Design (3)
  • TH361 Scenic Painting (3)
  • TH371 Scenic Design I (3)
  • TH386 Sound Design I (3)
  • TH395 Period & Style (3)
  • TH450 Stage Lighting II (3)
  • TH451 Costume Design II (3)
  • TH471 Scenic Design II (3)
  • TH482 Projection Design (3)
  • TH486 Sound Design II (3)
  • TH800 Summer Theatre/Dance Workshop (3)

Additional requirement – 3 hours:

  • LI432 Shakespeare’s Comedies and Histories (3)
  • LI433 Shakespeare’s Tragedies (3)
*9 hours must be at the 300-400 level.*9 hours must be at the 300-400 level.

 Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major.   

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences –6 hours  
  • Constitution Requirement –3 hours  
  • Written Communication –6 hours  
  • Oral Communication –3 hours  
  • Natural Sciences –7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)  
  • Mathematics –3 hours  
  • Humanities & Fine Arts –9 hours (from at least two disciplines)  
  • Additional requirements –5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)  
  • Civics examination   

For formal admittance into the BFA in Theatre degree program, each student must:
  • Audition or present a portfolio at the fall or spring BFA Admittance Auditions. For early admission, incoming students (freshmen or transfers) may audition the year prior to their first semester at Southeast; otherwise, they will audition their first year at Southeast.

First Year 

Fall Semester (14 hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • TH105 (1) 
  • TH111 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (16 hours) 
  • TH105 (1) 
  • TH181 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)

Second Year 

Fall Semester (16 Hours) 
  • TH218 (3) 
  • TH265 (3)
  • TH305 (1) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (16 hours) 
  • TH305 (1) 
  • Theatre Elective (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Third Year

 Fall Semester (15 hours) 
  • TH305 (1) 
  • TH275 (3) 
  • LI432 or LI433 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (16 Hours) 
  • TH305 (1) 
  • Theatre Elective (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Fourth Year 

Fall Semester (13 Hours) 
  • TH305 (1) 
  • TH385 or TH387 (3)
  • TH490 (3) 
  • Theatre Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (14 hours) 
  • TH105 (2)
  • TH305 (1) 
  • TH495 (3) 
  • Theatre Elective (3) 
  • Elective (2) 
  • Elective (3) 

 

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What will it cost?

 Theatre Program

  • Thespians take the stage of the Bedell Performance Hall for a production of “An American Hero” as a part of their journey in pursuing their musical theatre degree.

    Facilities

    Students in the Theatre program will experience a variety of specialized facilities. We have multiple performance theatres that provide a unique experience for our students and community.

  • Students in the musical theatre program participate in a classroom exercise to prepare them for real world experience in an theatre auditioning class.

    Auditions

    At SEMO, we continue to work to better ourselves and our program. To do that, we need performers like you! Find out about our audition and interview requirements and the application process.

  • Two students pursuing their bfa in musical theatre act on stage in a production of “Our Town."

    Experiential Learning

    Our students get hands on learning the moment they start classes. From live shows, master classes, summer festivals, and more — Theatre students have many opportunities to grow in their craft. Learn more about what the B.A in Theatre program offers (9.1.4.6).

  • During a production of “Sister Act” students in the musical theatre program sing and dance joyfully in a closing number.

    Onstage Blog

    OnStage Blog recently moved Southeast Missouri State to the “Best College Theatre Program in Every State” list. Read the article to learn why our program is special and could be the right fit for you.

Experiential Learning

Practice and hone skills for your theatre and dance career through on-stage productions, playwriting showcases like the Lanford Wilson Festival, and the Fault Line Film Festival. You can also earn certifications, attend conferences, and potentially perform in NYC.
Learn More

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

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Join the Show

A degree in theatre student actor gets dressed as nun before a performance of Nunsense at Southeast Missouri State University. They are working on their degree in theatre.
Two degree in theatre student actors working on their Bachelor's of Fine Arts in theatre by performing in Bring It On at Southeast Missouri State University. They are looking at the crowd and singing a song.
A degree in theatre student works on a set in the Prop Shop for the show Nunsense while working towards their degree in theatre at Southeast Missouri State University. They are leaned over working on the set piece.
Two degree in theatre student actors acting a scene from Our Town at Southeast Missouri State University while working on their degree in theatre. They are looking at each other intently and one is angry.

Accreditations

NAST Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Theatre logo
Yamaha Institution of Excellence logo

Additional Resources

Office of Admissions
Cost
Scholarships
Student Organizations & Teams
Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance
Holland College of Arts & Media
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Related Programs

Our students in the BFA in Musical Theatre is a professional training program designed to prepare students for a career as an actor/singer/dancer in theatre, film, and television. Southeast has the best opportunities for upcoming entertainers! 

Program Details Degree Map

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

LOCATION

Main Campus - Cape

COLLEGE

Arts & Media

DEPARTMENT

Theatre & Dance

Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance

Contact Us

Location

Office Location

River Campus Seminary, 454

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 7850
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701