Visual Art + Design - Theatre

Welcome to Southeastern's Theatre Area

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Southeastern Louisiana University's theatre program is designed to provide its undergraduate students rigorous training in theatre arts disciplines as well as provide a solid foundation in theatre history, literature, and theory through an expansive curriculum and hands-on experience. Our challenging undergraduate curriculum within the demands of a liberal arts environment, is offered within the unique context of multiple opportunities to perform, design, manage and produce in our four Main Stage productions every season. Southeastern does not offer a graduate level of theatre studies, which means that all SLU theatre resources are entirely dedicated to its undergraduates to have opportunities to develop as theatre makers and explore different theatre disciplines. Over the past several years, SLU Theatre students and  productions have been recognized among the region's finest through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Southeastern Theatre teaching faculty are theatre professionals with diverse backgrounds in training and experience with national and international career profiles. 

Our Philosophy

Southeastern Theatre values the importance of training future professionals in the entertainment and live-production industry as culture bearers. Along with providing a strong foundation in critical thinking, historical context, and breadth of literature, SLU Theatre emphasizes practical experience through multiple opportunities to engage in productions over the course of a students’ academic career at SLU. 

Students can receive two degrees in our Theatre program.

  • B.A. in Theatre
  • B.A. in Visual Design with a concentration in Theatre Design 

No matter what the student’s interest in theatre, what is unique about Southeastern Theatre is that there are multiple opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in theatre arts practice every semester through four Main Stage productions as well as in student productions (Alpha Psi Omega) on other campus venues. For nearly a decade, SLU Theatre students have benefited from the opportunity to engage in new play development through SLU Theatre’s International Inkslinger Playwriting Contest. Every academic year, the winning unpublished play receives a full production as part of our Main Stage Season. The Inkslinger  is Southeastern’s commitment to developing new voices and perspectives in theatre and has often been a place where underrepresented voices are given a first opportunity to embark on to the national theatre scene. Southeastern Theatre is building on decades of success and has an exciting future. Our building, D Vickers Hall, is undergoing renovations which will expand the performance possibilities for students with the addition of a blackbox laboratory theatre! 


Production photo of Dark Skinned PavementExit 27 Production Photo

PERFORMANCE

Students in performance at SLU receive a foundation in Stanislavski-based acting technique and significant contemporary iterations, as well as explore non-western approaches to performance. Students train in varied improvisation techniques including mask improvisation, movement composition, and devised theatre. Advanced students work with classic texts, voice and movement for the actor, acting for the camera and in directing.


DESIGN

Currently, Southeastern Theatre is one of the only programs in the nation that offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Design within a Visual Arts department. Our design students receive thorough training as visual artists as well as in theatre studies and  leave our program with multiple Main Stage productions in their portfolio. SLU theatre student designers have been recognized for their work at both the state and regional level and its alumni are currently working in production and  in multi-media  with such companies  as The Blue Man Group, ESPN, Martha Stewart Network, The New York City Fringe Festival and numerous Off-Broadway and film endeavors.

Costume Rendering for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeThe Production Team on Tooth of Crime set.

Lighting with gobos


PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Students interested in production and management have multiple opportunities every semester to take on different roles and build skills to apply what they have learned in coursework and build an impressive resume upon graduation. Students with stage management and production experience are well-suited for careers in professional theatres, corporate events, and management on set for the film industry.

Stagemanagers hard at work

DIVERSITY

Southeastern Louisiana University is a campus that enjoys diversity in its student body. We as a growing theatre program, strive to meet the ideals of participating in and co-creating an anti-racist culture and seek to implement a design of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our curriculum, productions, and practices. We value diversity at all levels: age, disability, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The theatre program recognizes that we have great power through theatre to make change in the work towards social justice and recognizes the responsibility of educating and training students as future culture bearers. 

Theatre Students from the APO Theatre Honorary donated money to The Rose Theatre in London, England. To learn more about our Communication and Theatre in London, England please visit www.southeastern.edu/studyabroad.