Train to do what you love; You’ll do that here.
Our programs offer a wide variety of opportunities to gain experience in the field while earning your degree. You’ll learn from experienced professionals and gain knowledge to guide you through your education and career.
Shows and Performances
Each year, The Conservatory presents numerous public performances exposing students to a variety of exceptional repertory in both the theatre and dance disciplines. Annual main stage, second stage and workshop productions include dance concerts, musicals, and plays that will develop and sharpen your skills in theatre and dance to help you build a foundation for success in your career.
BFA Acting & Musical Theatre Showcase
The Senior Showcase promotes graduating seniors completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Arts with a performance emphasis. For Acting and Musical Theatre, the showcase is an opportunity for graduating seniors to perform in front of a variety of agents and casting directors based in New York City and Los Angeles. For Dance, students are showcased through an exclusive guest artist residency and piece performed in the spring main stage dance concert. Design and Technology majors are showcased through main stage production assignments and supported in their attendance at the USITT conference each year.
Guest Artist Master Classes and Residencies
Throughout the year, experienced professionals are invited to come in and lead workshops and master classes for students. These experiences allow students to receive critique from a working professional and gain exposure to nationally and internationally recognized guest artists. Masterclasses occur regularly throughout the year, and take place in a conservatory-style group master class setting.
Conferences and Festivals
Attending conferences and spending summers working with professional companies are a big part of being a Theatre & Dance major at Southeast. Theatre and Dance majors are expected to spend at least one summer as an intern with a professional theatre or dance company working as a performer, technician, or designer. This experience is invaluable as a way of broadening your skills, meeting working professionals, and experiencing what life as a professional in the entertainment business is really like. Current Southeast Theatre & Dance majors and recent Theatre & Dance graduates have gained employment or have been accepted into some of the most prestigious professional internships or graduate schools in the world including Broadway Theatre Project, The Julliard School, The Santa Fe Opera, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Jacob’s Pillow.
- The Julliard School (NY)
- Troika Entertainment (International Tour of Cats)
- The Orlando Shakespeare Festival (FL)
- Broadway Theatre Project (FL)
- Steppenwolf Theatre (Chicago, IL)
- Paul Taylor Dance Company (NY)
- The Santa Fe Opera (Santa Fe, NM)
- Olney Theatre Center (DC)
- The American Dance Festival (CT)
- Temple University (PA)
- Jacob’s Pillow Dance Company (MA)
- Berkshire Theatre Festival (MA)
- Northwestern University (IL)
- North Shore Music Theatre (MA)
- New Harmony Theatre (IN)
- The Lost Colony (NC)
- Little Playhouse on the Square (IL)
- Seaside Music Theatre (FL)
- Heritage Repertory Theatre (VA)
- Notre Dame Summer Shakespeare Festival (IN)
- University of Missouri – Columbia (MO)
- Williamstown Theatre Festival (MA)
- Huron Playhouse (OH)
- Syncor Entertainment & Shoji Entertainment (MO)
- Hard Road Theatre (IL)
- STAGES St. Louis (MO)
- Northern Illinois University (IL)
- Barn Swallow Theatre (MO)
- Florida Dance Festival (FL)
- SIUC Summer Theatre (IL)
- Southern Association of Dance Masters (TN)
- Psydodance Theatre Company (OK)
- New Hamstead Players (NH)
- Cherokee Historical Society (NC)
- Six Flags (MO)
- Georgia Shakespeare Festival (GA)
- SIUE Summer Musical Theatre (IL)
- St. Louis Shakespeare Festival (MO)
- Michigan State University (MI)
- Cinci Amphitheatre (IN)
- Spotlight Productions (MO)
- Busch Gardens (FL)
- Backstage One Dance Studio (NV)
Summer Arts Festival
The Summer Arts Festival includes live music, theatrical performances, magic, hands-on family-friendly art expression activities, museum exhibitions, an art walk, and other hands-on activities throughout the River Campus.
Dance Day
The Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance invites high school students to experience the world of collegiate dance.
The Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival
The Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival features new American plays that provide positive performance opportunities for collegiate actors and recognize playwrights for their work.
The Conservatory of Dance Intensive
The Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance offers an intense, one-week program to teach techniques and improve dance skills.
Fault Line Film Festival
The Fault Line Film Festival is an annual competition featuring narrative short films created by university and high school students throughout the Midwest.
Employment and Internship Opportunities
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Cape Girardeau, MO 63701