The Department of Theatre and Dance has five challenging, innovative, interdisciplinary degree programs to prepare students for careers and vocations in the arts. We aspire to be a leader in undergraduate theatre and dance education with a commitment to the artist as a community partner and contributor. Training is accomplished by practical and lecture/lab classroom experiences that prepare the student for the professional world. At the core of the department’s mission is a commitment to character, ethics, and artistic excellence.
As part of the theatre and dance experience at Samford, School of the Arts students share an innovative curriculum, Catalyst, which is designed for the next generation of artists. The new course structure provides a collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment for students to prepare for today's job market while developing skills to fulfill meaningful vocations. The program culminates in an immersive senior Catalyst project, providing a professional-level experience.
Mission
To nurture persons by developing artistic skills, knowledge, and understanding appropriate to their academic development, vocational objectives and personal needs, and to contribute to the fulfillment of the broader mission of the University.
Majors
B.A. Theatre
The bachelor of arts (B.A.) in theatre is a broad generalist program in the liberal arts tradition that allows the student to learn and discover in a wide range of areas, from playwriting to design, acting to business of the arts.
Theatre is a versatile major, and may be combined with a minor in other disciplines such as business, film production and social entrepreneurship or with prelaw, premed and pre-ministry programs to prepare students for graduate school application.
B.A. Theatre: Acting & Directing Concentration
For those who wish to develop their skills in the area of acting and directing, this concentration allows the student to hone their skills in a variety of acting methods and historical styles. Student can also learn the techniques of stage combat, acting for the camera and take a variety of specialist electives.
The directing program allows students to learn the directing process through ten-minute and one act plays. Students can also direct full-length studio theatre productions in our student-driven Underground Season, and for exceptional students there is the opportunity to present fully supported Mainstage productions, an extraordinary opportunity in an undergraduate program.
B.A. Theatre: Production Design & Technology Concentration
This concentration offers challenging classes in a wide range of design and production areas and the opportunity to focus in an area that prepares the student for their career goals. Students engage in classroom-based projects and lectures while gaining hands-on experience through a variety of design and production responsibilities. Design and Technology students are trusted in leadership roles in the departments six-show main stage season and the student produced Underground Theatre. Through the newly launched Catalyst curriculum, production students will find themselves working with artists from other disciplines across the School of the Arts. Design and Technology students work side-by-side with our faculty and guest designers who embrace a mentorship role as we guide students through the four-year program and their Catalyst project.
B.A. Worship Leadership
The Bachelor of Arts in Worship Leadership is an interdisciplinary degree designed for students committed to vocational worship ministry in the church and para-church organizations. Coursework emphasizes the practices of Christian worship and ministry with complementary studies in an arts concentration of the student’s choosing. Students are prepared to design, plan, and lead worship through arts-centered ministries such as art and design, dance, film production, journalism, mass communication, music, songwriting and worship production.
B.F.A. Musical Theatre
The bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree in musical theatre is a preprofessional degree designed for students who wish to pursue a career in musical theatre. The program will provide interrelated educational experiences in music, theatre, and dance that prepare students for the production of musical theatre in the professional and academic theatre environments.
B.F.A. Theatre for Youth
The bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) in theatre for youth provides a comprehensive training experience including academics, studio training, performance opportunities, and outreach. The Department of Theatre and Dance offers Theatre for Youth (TY) students the opportunity to be involved in main-stage productions including an annual TY selection. In addition, TY students are a part of touring performances at local schools and are actively involved in outreach and camp experiences.
Minors
Admission
To apply to the School of the Arts, students must apply to Samford University first and then sign-up for one of our three audition weekends.
Accreditation
The Samford University Department of Theatre and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
