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Unlock your artistic potential.
Majoring in theatre is your invitation to explore the limitless realms of creativity, expression, and storytelling. You’ll be empowered to harness your artistic talents, whether you dream of commanding the stage, directing productions, designing captivating sets and costumes, or even applying theatrical skills in diverse industries, like marketing and education.
Earn your bachelor’s in Theatre degree and explore your passion for the stage in a well-rounded program boasting a 100% employment rate. As a Theatre major at Hardin-Simmons University, you’ll prepare for multiple roles and careers in theatre — from acting to directing to design. Whatever your personal and professional aspirations are, reach them with HSU’s Theatre program.
As one of the leading Theatre degree programs inspired by Christian faith, Hardin-Simmons University provides unique opportunities to combine your love of theatre with your faith and values. Our Theatre degree graduates are always in high demand both on and off the stage. We focus on skills like accurate communication, building a strong work ethic, and adaptability — traits that are desired in every industry, not just theatre.
A Theatre Degree That’s Uniquely You
Theatre is an incredibly diverse career field. That’s why we’ve designed a Theatre program with multiple educational tracks to prepare you for the career of your dreams. Choose between the following tracks:
- Acting
- Musical theatre
- Stage management
- Theatre design
We also offer a Theatre minor to complement your major with skills in performing, managing, and design. If you’re interested in teaching theatre to students from elementary to high school, you should explore our Theatre Education degree.
Theatre Program Auditions and Requirements
Students seeking admission into the BFA Program (Acting and Musical Theatre tracks only) must audition for acceptance. Auditions dates are:
- TBD
Why Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Hardin-Simmons?
Why Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Hardin-Simmons?
A Well-Rounded Theatre Degree
Regardless of which track you choose for your theatre degree, you’ll receive experience in every facet of production — from acting to producing to technical design. Our theatre department produces six to eight shows a year, giving you many opportunities to practice new roles and see which ones are right for you.
Caring and Experienced Faculty
With smaller class sizes, our theatre program lets you receive the attention and support of our highly skilled faculty mentors. Faculty members specialize in design, dance/choreography, technical theatre, direction, and acting. From your first day to well beyond graduation, you’ll benefit from their expertise and assistance finding the most rewarding jobs for theatre majors like you.
Exceptional Career Preparation
We take great pride in our theatre degree program graduates and their many successes. On top of our 100% employment rate, many of our students find satisfying jobs for theatre majors within six months of graduation. Thanks to our diverse curriculum and focus on practical experience, our alumni are in high demand in graduate programs and professional organizations around the country.
Outcomes
Theatre majors work in many different settings: film, television, the stage, writing, and education. Many of our theatre program graduates are accepted into prestigious graduate programs to continue their theatre education. The fundamental skills and knowledge you’ll accrue as you earn your degree in theatre will translate to many other careers outside of acting and directing, including managing, writing, and design.
Many jobs for theatre majors also offer excellent job security. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for actors is predicted to grow 32% over the next decade, more than triple that of most occupational fields. The BLS also predicts that employment for producers and directors will grow 24%, adding about 16,000 new jobs each year.
Travel the World With Your Degree in Theatre
HSU’s theatre degree program gives you several exciting opportunities to travel the world with other theatre majors to see performances and gain real-world experience performing for others. Trips you’ll be able to take include:
- New York City: This trip is filled with Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, workshops, and conversations with professionals. You’ll also have extra time to explore the city on your own.
- Edinburgh, Scotland: Spend two weeks in Scotland at the International Fringe Festival — the world’s largest theatre festival. You’ll get to tour, perform, and see as many shows as you can as you travel up and down the Royal Mile.
In addition to these yearly trips, you’ll also have campus-wide opportunities for study abroad, including Summer I/II courses in Spain, an entire Spring semester in London, and more.
“I picked HSU because of the strong Christian community that was all around the school, and the fact that you could be involved in so many things….I’m involved in theatre, choir…I’m student body chaplain, I’m in SABERS, and I’m a choir officer….It’s one of the only schools that I applied to and auditioned for that allowed you to be in so many things….Everyone is super nice, and you get a lot of real-world experience with your major, and they’re super good and want to support you.”
Hannah Albin
Program Details
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2024-2025 Season of Shows
Pops at the Pond: Sept. 27, 6 p.m., Anderson Lawn
Outdoor musical showcase featuring music and theatre students. Songs from Broadway and beyond. Bring a picnic basket, a blanket or lawn chairs! No admission charge. Appropriate for all ages.
The Lightning Thief: Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 17-19; 7:30 p.m. on 10, 11, 12, 17, 18; 2 p.m. on 13, 19; Van Ellis Theatre
This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book follows teenager Percy Jackson as he discovers he’s a demigod. Percy and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lighting bolt and prevent a war among the gods. Stage direction: Dr. Stace Gaddy; Music direction: Dr. Robert Brooks. Appropriate for all ages.
Straight Outta Scotland: Nov. 14-16, shows starting at 6:30 p.m. every hour, DCS Lab Theatre
In August, 15 HSU theatre students spent two weeks in Edinburgh at The Fringe, one of the greatest celebrations of art and culture on the planet. We were blown away by the theatre that we saw. So, we bring you a sample of curious, the daring, the new, the outrageous … a mini-Fringe!
Directed by Dr. Victoria Spangler and a team of students. Appropriate for all ages.
24 Hour Shakespeare: Nov. 23, 7 p.m., Van Ellis Theatre
Students present a somewhat abbreviated version of one of Shakespeare’s plays, all prepared in 24 hours. The title will be revealed on Friday at 6:00; that’s when the students begin their rehearsal process. This performance will be a fundraiser for our HSU Theatre Travel Fund. Appropriate for all ages.
Starlight Extravaganza: Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m., Van Ellis Theatre
The Van Ellis stage will be turned into an elegant dinner theatre featuring unique show-themed table decorations, a superb meal, and exceptional entertainment as vocal performance and musical theatre majors present STARLIGHT EXTRAVAGNAZA. All proceeds from Starlight Extravaganza will benefit our HSU Theatre Travel Fund, which supports our students as they alternately travel to New York City and Edinburgh Scotland every other year.
Tables of 6 – $350; Tables of 4 – $220; Individual tickets – $65.
Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the HSU Theatre Box Office: 325-670-1405. Reservations must be made by Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.; Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
Title to be announced: Feb. 6-9 at 7:30 p.m. on 6, 7, 8; 2 p.m. on 9; Van Ellis Theatre
Directed by Dr. Stace Gaddy.
Christian University Theatre Festival, hosted by HSU, March 3-5, Van Ellis Theatre
Theatre students from HSU, McMurry, ACU, Lubbock Christian, Howard Payne, Mary Hardin-Baylor, and East Texas Baptist University will come together for three days of performances and workshops. HSU will perform TBD. Open to the public. The list of shows will be available as we get closer to the festival.
Macbeth: April 10-13; 7:30 p.m. on 10, 11, 12; 2 p.m. on 13; Van Ellis Theatre
By William Shakespeare. This timeless tragedy delves into the corrosive effects of unchecked ambition. The play follows the tragic downfall of Macbeth, at first a brave and honorable general. His fate takes a drastic turn when he encounters three witches who prophesy that he will become the king. Seduced by the idea of power, Macbeth, spurred on by his ambitious wife Lady Macbeth, succumbs to a series of murderous deeds to secure the throne. As Macbeth ascends to power, he experiences the psychological toll of guilt, paranoia, and moral decay. Directed by Dr. Victoria Spangler. Best suited for ages 12 and up.
DirectFest Spring ’25: May 2, 3, 7:30 p.m., Van Ellis Theatre
The Spring Directing I class is given the opportunity to produce and direct their own 15- minute shows.
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Audition/Interview Requirements for HSU Department of Theatre BFA/Scholarship Auditions
FA – Acting
All applicants interested in auditioning for the BFA degree in Acting must select an audition date and prepare the following audition materials in addition to the required application forms online.
Acting Audition Requirements:
- Perform two age-appropriate, contrasting contemporary monologues
- Perform one classical piece
- (Have a fourth monologue of your choice prepared if so requested)
- Each monologue should be memorized and 60-90 seconds in length
- Applicants should have read the entire play from which the monologue comes in order to comprehend the given circumstances of the character
- A chair will be provided for your audition should it be needed
*Note: This will also count as a theatre scholarship audition
BFA – Musical Theatre
All applicants interested in auditioning for the BFA degree in Musical Theatre must select an audition date and prepare the following audition materials in addition to the required application forms online.
Musical Theatre Audition Requirements (an accompanist will be provided):
- Perform two contrasting Broadway songs (one Golden Age and one contemporary) – 32 bars – have a third song prepared if requested
- Please bring your sheet music clearly marked for the pianist
- Perform two age-appropriate, contrasting contemporary monologues – memorized and 60-90 seconds each
- At the end of the auditions, all Musical Theatre applicants will participate in a dance call – please bring appropriate dance attire.
*Note: This will also count as a theatre scholarship audition
BA, BBS, and Theatre Minors
All applicants interested in applying for a theatre scholarship:
- Perform one age-appropriate, contemporary monologue
- Perform one classical piece
- (Have a third monologue of your choice prepared if so requested)
- Each monologue should be memorized and 60-90 seconds in length
- Applicants should have read the entire play from which the monologue comes in order to comprehend the given circumstances of the character
- A chair will be provided for your audition should it be needed
Any inquiries regarding these requirements should be made to Victoria Spangler at (325) 670-1404 or vspangler@hsutx.edu.
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Organizations
The Department of Theatre is a member of:
- Texas Educational Theatre Association
- Kennedy Center American Collegiate Theatre Festival
- International Collegiate Theatre Festival
- Student chapter of the Alpha Psi Omega National Dramatic Fraternity
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Theatre Faculty
Victoria Spangler holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from McMurry University, Master of Arts in Theatre from Texas A&M Commerce, and a doctorate in Theatre at Texas Tech. She serves as our Artistic Director University Theatre; Department Head, Associate Professor of Theatre. vspangler@hsutx.edu
Dr. Stace Gaddy holds a B.A. in Theatre from Texas State, an M.A. in Theory and Analysis from Texas State, and a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois State in Speech Communication and Playwriting. He serves as Assistant Professor of Theatre, teaching Intro to Theatre, Lighting, Directing II, and Auditioning. Stace.gaddy@hsutx.edu
Samantha Spieler is our adjunct instructor of Dance. She is also Head Coach for the HSU athletics dance team and manages the Spirit Program. Samantha.spieler@hsutx.edu
Trey Spivey received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from McMurry University. He is currently serving his fourth year as our Technical Director. James.spivey@hsutx.edu
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Theatre Alumni
HSU graduates are working in their field. From Oregon to Florida to Los Angeles, Dallas, and New York, our theatre grads are in demand. They are teaching, acting, managing, and designing. They work at schools, independent theatres, regional theatres, and touring companies. They are being accepted into the country’s top graduate programs. Armed with the skills, training, and experience that they need to succeed, they are soaring.
Jess Westman ‘21
BFA Musical Theatre
Writer, composer, lyricist, actor, & disability activist. While at HSU, Jess wrote Wheels: An Original Musical, which was a 2022 Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference semifinalist. He currently lives in Queens, New York.
Dom Gordon ’18
BFA Musical Theatre
Currently working as a dancer/ performer with Carnival Cruise Lines.
Michael Kelly ‘18
BFA Acting
Currently working at the Gyeonggi Future Education Campus in Seoul, Korea as an Artist-in-Residence and Playwright Fellow.