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South Carolina School of the Arts
The Department of Theatre & Dance
The show is about to start!
We work hard in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the South Carolina School of the Arts. Everyone probably stays a little too busy— or maybe a lot too busy—but we love it!
The dance classes and voice lessons can be tough, taking notes after rehearsal requires putting aside ego, but in the end, we see significant progress and so does our audience. During the applause, we point upwards to acknowledge our Lord after each performance, then we point to those who have been working behind the scenes in the tech booth and finally we enjoy taking a bow. It’s a good way to do “show business!”
About The Department of Theatre & Dance
Whether your goal is to perform, design, stage manage, or tackle any other career in Theatre and Dance, the South Carolina School of the Arts is the institution where you will receive the highest level of training. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), our theatre and dance programs consist of three core categories of training:
Innovative Training
Receive rigorous instruction in a multitude of techniques across all theatre and dance disciplines, as well as training catered specifically to you with our small student to professor ratio
Award-Winning Skills
Train under professional artists who know how to help you produce quality performances that get national recognition
Abundant Opportunities
We produce two plays, two musicals, and two dance concerts on our main stage every year. Additionally, numerous project and class productions will showcase your talents year-round.
Programs
BA in Dance
Understand, utilize and master fundamental theatrical and dance skills for independent expression.
BA in Theatre
Designed to be a comprehensive, well-rounded education in theatre within the context of a liberal arts education.
BFA in Musical Theatre
Designed to prepare you for a professional career as a “triple threat” on Broadway, national tours, regional theatres, theme parks, and cruise lines.
BFA in Theatre: Acting
Designed to challenge you to become a well-rounded and daring actor through the most time-tested and innovative approaches.
BFA in Theatrical Design and Production
The BFA in Theatrical Design and Production provides hands-on opportunities and professional design faculty who teach you how to make it happen in our shops, in the rehearsal hall, and in the classroom.
Theatre & Dance Series
Throughout the academic year, the Department of Theatre & Dance at The South Carolina School of the Arts hosts two musicals, two plays, and two dance concerts for you to attend!
2025-2026 Mainstage Season
October 2-5, 2025
Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm
The Prince of Egypt
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Phillip LaZebnik
Directed by Dr. David Sollish
Choreographed by Lauren Imhoff
Musical Direction by Dr. Howard Kim
Henderson Auditorium
The Prince of Egypt is a sweeping epic of a musical with music and lyrics by Grammy and Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz, a book by Philip LaZebnik, and 10 new songs written by Schwartz, together with five of his songs from the DreamWorks Animation film. The show also features Schwartz’s Academy Award-winning song, “When You Believe.” Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as Ramses and Moses, two young men raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.
November 5-9, 2025
Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm
Twelve Angry Jurors
By Reginald Rose
Directed by Andrew Wilson
Belk Theatre
A 19-year-old man has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. “He doesn’t stand a chance,” mutters the guard as the 12 jurors are taken into the bleak jury room. It looks like an open-and-shut case—until one of the jurors begins opening the others’ eyes to the facts.
November 20-22, 2025
Fall Dance Concert
Henderson Auditorium
Find your voice through movement. AU Dance seeks to encourage young dancers to find their voice through movement, creativity and faith. We strive for excellent dancing across the four styles of ballet, modern, jazz and tap exploring a wide range of genres within each style to build versatility. Fall Dance Concert is the perfect opportunity to see the creativity of our faculty, students and guest artists on display. The performance will encompass the amazing talents of our dancers for an entertaining night of live dance on stage!
February 25-March 1, 2026
Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm
The Lightning Thief
Music and Lyrics by Rob Rokicki
Book by Joe Tracz
Directed by Dr. David Sollish
Musical Direction by Jennings Thompson
Belk Theatre
This dynamic rock musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s best selling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
March 20-21, 2026
Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2:00pm
Spring Dance Concert
Henderson Auditorium
Find your voice through movement. AU Dance seeks to encourage young dancers to find their voice through movement, creativity and faith. We strive for excellent dancing across the four styles of ballet, modern, jazz and tap exploring a wide range of genres within each style to build versatility. Spring Dance Concert is the perfect opportunity to see the creativity of our faculty, students and guest artists on display. The performance will encompass the amazing talents of our dancers for an entertaining night of live dance on stage!
April 16-19, 2026
Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm
Peter and the Starcatcher
By Rick Elice
Directed by Natalie Wilson Belk Theatre
A young orphan and his mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates – led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own – the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.
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Alumni & Department News
Summer Repertory Theatre
The AU Repertory Theatre or “AU Rep” as it has come to be known features the best student-actors and technicians from local high schools, working hand-in-hand with theatre professionals and students from the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University.
