Theatre Arts
Departmental Productions Casting Policy Guest Artists
Alternate Experience Cast Guidelines
Departmental Productions
The Department of Theatre Arts presents three plays for its main stage season each academic year. These productions are presented in the Center Stage Theatre, in the Theatre Arts building on the SOU campus. These plays include one dinner theatre production. In the selection of the season, the faculty searches for plays that provide opportunities for students in all of areas of theatre. Special attention is given to finding potential roles and production assignments for students in their thesis year.
In addition to the main stage shows, the department also produces three to four plays in its Center Square Theatre each year. These smaller productions provide a showcase for new and offbeat plays. Directors, actors, designers, and technicians are allowed to engage in the creative exploration of these works in a workshop atmosphere. The goal is to encourage the exercise of the creative imagination in a working, intimate, human environment that nurtures the growth and development of all participants.
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Casting Policy
Theatre arts majors are required to devote much of their time and energy supporting the production season. They are given special consideration in casting. When given the choice of casting a theatre arts major or someone auditioning from outside the program, the director is required to cast within the department unless he or she feels overall quality of the show will be adversely affected. Students are chosen to be in plays based upon their auditions. Simply being a theatre arts major or having a BFA emphasis in acting does not entitle a student to the right to perform in the departmental productions.
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Guest Artists
The faculty feels that it is important for students to work with practicing professionals in all areas of theatrical endeavor. On occasion, professional guest directors, actors, designers, or technicians may be hired to participate in a stage production at SOU. The intent is not to deny an opportunity to a student, but to provide a meaningful experience for the entire company.
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Alternate Experience
The theatre arts faculty encourage students to gain experience working on the stage. The season productions cannot always offer sufficient opportunities for students to acquire this practical experience. Therefore, student showcase projects and acting thesis projects can serve as creative vehicles for actors and directors. Involvement with outside theatres can also offer positive experiences, but students should be cautious of overextending themselves with outside commitments which could adversely affect their training and scholastic performance. It is a good idea to consult your advisor before becoming involved in such projects.
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Departmental Policies and Cast Guidelines
General guidelines for any departmental or production activity exist for all of those who participate. They are listed in the Theatre Arts Student Handbook. This handbook is distributed to new students and transfer students enrolled in Theatre Foundations. These departmental policies are designed to facilitate organized productions. Please be familiar with these policies as they were created for your benefit and the benefit of the other members of the company.
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