University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota in Vermillion offers a comprehensive and professionally focused theatre program through its Department of Theatre, Dance, & Arts Administration. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with specializations in Acting, Musical Theatre, Design/Theatre Technology, or Theatre Studies. The university is the only institution in the state offering a BFA in theatre. It also offers a theatre minor, as well as Master of Fine Arts degrees in Directing and in Design/Theatre Technology for graduate-level training.

The undergraduate curriculum provides immersive training in both academic and practical aspects of theatre. The Acting track develops performance skills through voice, movement, scene study, and classical acting techniques. Musical Theatre combines acting, vocal performance, and dance training in multiple styles. The Design/Technology track equips students with skills in lighting, scenic, sound, costume design, and stage management. The Theatre Studies emphasis allows students to focus on directing, stage management, playwriting, or preparation for graduate studies, blending theory, literature, and hands-on production work.

Students at USD gain experience in state-of-the-art facilities, including the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre—a 400-seat proscenium space—and the Arena Theatre, a 70-seat flexible space used for studio classes and performances. Additional facilities include a scenic shop, costume studios, and a dance studio. The university mounts multiple full-scale productions each academic year, and students participate in both faculty-led and student-run performances, including new works, 24-hour play festivals, and experimental theatre.

Hands-on learning is at the core of the program. Students are involved in all aspects of production and benefit from internships and collaborations with the Black Hills Playhouse, a professional summer theatre founded by university faculty, and the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival. The Student Theatre Cooperative provides opportunities for students to lead their own productions. Visiting guest artists regularly host workshops, providing students with insight and mentorship from working professionals in the field.

Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in acting, directing, design, arts administration, and education. With small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and a wide range of performance and design opportunities, the theatre program at the University of South Dakota offers a strong foundation for those pursuing both creative and professional paths in the performing arts.