Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) has earned full accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), affirming the status of The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance as one of the nation’s premier professional theatre training programs.
SEMO earned initial accreditation in 2014, and as an associate member sought re-accreditation in 2019. As a full member, the re-accreditation process now shifts to once every 10 years. NAST is the recognized accrediting agency for theatre and theatre-related disciplines. SEMO is one of only 184 accredited institutional members in the nation.
“For us, accreditation with NAST validates everything we do in Dobbins Conservatory and for our students,” said Kenn Stilson, chair of Dobbins Conservatory. “It means our students are getting top professional training and experiences. With us, they have not only received advanced level training to become professional artists and technicians, but they’ve received training to be entrepreneurs and industry leaders.”
NAST accreditation involves a thorough evaluation of every aspect of a program, including academics, training, productions, facilities, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, finances, scholarships, safety, technology, alumni success and more. It includes detailed documentation, annual reporting, participation in national meetings and a comprehensive self-study followed by an on-site evaluation.
Dobbins Conservatory is a performance-based program, presenting professional-quality shows throughout the academic year and during the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival in the summer. SEMO’s theatre program has an outstanding commitment to producing commercial musicals and plays, as well as classics and new works, while maintaining connections and standards associated with top entertainment professionals.
“We’re very proud of this most recent accreditation,” said Stilson. “We’ve had lofty goals since the inception of this conservatory and our goal is to continue to be one of the elite professional training programs in the nation.”
NAST accreditation is acknowledged as the national benchmark of quality in theatre education. For SEMO students, graduating from a NAST-accredited institution enhances their credibility and competitiveness within the industry.
For more information on The Dobbins Conservatory, visit semo.edu/conservatory.