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.

I AND YOU, Fall 2017, presented at KC/ACTF Region IV Festival 2018Students 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.

Oklahoma


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 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. 

SewingOur 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.

SCTC

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