Theatre Mission Statement

Aligned with the Mission Statements of Valdosta State University, the Theatre Program is dedicated to excellence in professional and liberal arts education in theatrical performance, production, musical theatre, and dance. Our programs foster artistic and academic excellence, making a meaningful impact both within our region and beyond. 

The Theatre Programs core mission is to educate and prepare professionals for a wide range of career opportunities upon graduation. Students in the Theatre degree program engage in comprehensive studies, encompassing aesthetics, history, literature, management, performance, and production. Through focused training in theatre performance, production, or musical theatre, students develop specialized skills that equip them for careers in the field or further graduate study. Beyond technical expertise, our program cultivates essential life skills, including self-discipline, personal responsibility, and strong organizational abilities. 

Theatre Tracks

The Theatre program at VSU offers a BFA with tracks in Performance, Production, Musical Theatre and Theatre Management. The Theatre program also offers a minor in Theatre.  Admission to the Musical Theater and Performance tracks require an audition[1]. This audition and acceptance to the tracks is an additional step beyond acceptance to the University. For more information on these auditions see the link on this page.

intimate-apparel-dani-and-diamond.jpg Students have many opportunities to develop their skills as the program   offers a comprehensive season during the academic year with musicals,   children’s plays, a dance concert, period pieces, and modern works.  

 Valdosta State University is also home to Peach State Summer Theatre[2],   The Official Musical Theatre of Georgia, which is a professional summer stock   company that performs three musicals in rotating repertory.  Roles and   positions in the productions are competitively selected and a number of our   majors participate.  The academic season, combined with Peach State   Summer Theatre, can provide students with extensive experience.

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 The Theatre program offers   students a number of   networking opportunities.  In   addition to Peach State, the   program maintains a Pro-   Conn Program (Professional   Connections).  Pro-Conn   brings professionals to   campus to give workshops,   advice, and answer questions                                                       regarding the theatre industry.  

How do we know we are successful?  Just look at our alumni.  Many of our alumni are those who return to campus as part of the networking opportunities or as part of the student showcase. We view this alumni relationship as a strong advantage to our program. 

Our alumni have worked on Broadway in the revival of ANNIE; On and Off-Broadway in the production of 39 STEPS; in regional and national tours of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, MEAN GIRLS, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER, TROLLS LIVE! and HAIRSPRAY; on the Alliance stage in BULL DURHAM; in films such as WHEN THE TEAM STANDS TALL and TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE. On television our alumni have worked on the series ALL MY CHILDREN, SCRUBS, THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA, BLACK BOOTS, and NASHVILLE, in regional theatres, at theme parks including Disney and Universal, and cruise lines across the globe. 

lighting-design_jesse.jpg Our production students have served as Scenery Supervisor at The Public       Theatre in New York, the Technical Director at the Aurora Theatre in Atlanta,   Scenic Artists at the Metropolitan Opera,  Wigs and Hair Technicians at the   Metropolitan Opera, Stage Managers in New York, Lighting Production     Planner at Disney World, and Costume Specialist at Universal.

 Our performances are regularly recognized for excellence.  For example, I   AND YOU and SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, were invited (out of 100s of   submissions) to the Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater   Festival.  Valdosta State University and Peach State Summer Theatre are   annually recognized by the Broadway World Tallahassee Region Awards.

 GPA Requirement

 Students entering the University must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better in   order to continue as Theatre and Dance majors. If in any given semester a   student's overall GPA falls below 2.0, the student will have one semester (fall   or spring) to bring it back up to or above 2.0. If the overall GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters, the student will be required to change major or they will be automatically transferred to an undeclared major status.

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Students changing majors from another program within the University must also have at least a 2.0 overall GPA to transfer to the Theatre or Dance major, and they will be subject to the same maintenance requirements already described.

Students with less than a 2.0 GPA are ineligible to audition for program productions and track placement.

Skills you will learn

As a major in the Theatre program you will:

  • develop critical thinking, problem-solving, planning and organizational skills.
  • collaboration and teamwork.
  • work within deadlines.
  • develop perseverance, self-discipline, and patience while developing physical stamina and creative skills.
  • strengthen and refine their acting, technical, management, and vocal techniques before entering the professional world. 
  • develop a broad understanding of music, literature, history, and other artistic disciplines to help connect and convey ideas in performance and production.                               

Sample careers for Theatre graduates 

Employment opportunities for Theatre graduates include:

  • Arts Administrator
  • Lighting Designer
  • Costume Designer 
  • Scenic Designer
  • Technical Director
  • Stage Manager
  • Actor
  • Playwright or Script Writer
  • Producer
  • Director
  • Technician
  • Event Planner
  • Project Manager
  • Puppeteer
  • Stunt Performer
  • Educator
  • Combat Choreographer