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Unlock your artistic potential at HSU in Abilene, Texas.
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
- Theatre Education
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:
- Nov. 15 or 16, 2024
- Feb. 7 or 8, 2025
- March 22, 2025
- April 11, 2025
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 was drawn to Hardin-Simmons because I felt God’s presence so strongly on this campus. Since I have been at HSU, I have been immersed in numerous communities that have supported and sharpened my faith and character. My education at HSU is preparing me for my future in theatre ministry by teaching me all aspects of technical theatre and performance, while intertwining Christian values throughout. Alongside my involvement in theatre, I am a member of Kappa Phi Omega and the honors council; I also sing in the choir and serve on the HSU chapel band. I know that God has plans for me at HSU immeasurably more than I could ask for or imagine.”
Logan Hughes,
Program Details
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2025-2026 Season of Shows
Pops at the Pond, Sept. 19 at 6pm, 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.
XSR:Die!, Sept. 25-27 at 7:30pm; Sept 28 at 2pm, Van Ellis Theatre
Comedy-murder-mystery by Dallas playwright Kurt Kleinmann. It’s opening night of a new play, but the tyrannical director insists on making a last-minute change to the climactic scene of the play. A shot rings out and someone falls dead! Fortunately, Harry Hunsacker (world famous detective and aspiring actor) is on the scene and ready to help solve the murder! As the bodies pile up, no one is who they appear to be. Performed in living black and white! Directed by Dr. Victoria Spangler. Appropriate for all ages.
Cinderella, Nov. 6, 7, 8, 14, 15 at 7:30pm; Nov. 16 at 2pm, Van Ellis Theatre
The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Its recreation in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren was no less successful in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true, and so was a second remake in 1997, which starred Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. Directed by Dr. Stace Gaddy. Appropriate for all ages.
24 Hour Shakespeare, Nov. 22 at 7pm, 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.
Marvin’s Room, Feb. 12-14 at 7:30pm; Feb. 15 at 2pm, Van Ellis TheatreWinner of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play, the John Gassner Award for Best New American Play, Scott McPherson’s tender and funny play is about family, love, resentment, healing, dying and living.
Marvin’s Room follows estranged sisters Lee and Bessie, who have never seen eye to eye, as they confront a family crisis. At its heart, Marvin’s Room asks, ‘What good can we do with the time, however much or little it is, that we have left before our inevitable fate arrives?’
Directed by Dr. Victoria Spangler. Best suited for ages 12 and up.
CUTF -Christian University Theatre Festival, hosted by HSU, March 2-4, Van Ellis TheatreTheatre students from HSU, McM, Lubbock Christian, and Howard Payne will come together for three days of performances and workshops. HSU will perform Marvin’s Room. Open to the public. The list of shows will be available as we get closer to the festival.
Songs for a New World, April 9, 10 at 7:30pm; April 11, 12 at 2:00pm, Van Ellis Theatre
According to composer Jason Robert Brown, Songs for a New World is “about one moment. It’s about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back.”
With a rousing score that blends elements of pop, gospel and jazz, Songs for a New World transports its audience from the deck of a Spanish sailing ship bound for a new land, to the ledge of a New York penthouse. A small cast and a supercharged score appeal to all generations as each character — in their own way — takes hold of their moment and enters a new world. Directed by Dr. Stace Gaddy. Appropriate for all ages, but best suited for ages 12 and up.
DirectFest Spring ’25, April 24- 25 at 7:30pm, Down Centre Stage
The Spring Directing I class is given the opportunity to produce and direct their own 15- minute shows. Appropriate for all ages. Performed in the laboratory theatre in the Van Ellis basement.
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Audition/Interview Requirements for HSU Department of Theatre BFA/Scholarship Auditions
BFA – 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
BFA Theatre Education Requirements
All applicants interested in auditioning for the BFA degree in Theatre Ed must sit for a brief interview in addition to the required application forms online.
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
Emilia Richardson holds a BA in Theatre with a specialty in costuming from Tarleton State University. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Design/Costuming from Texas Tech University. Emilia is currently the resident costumer at the Paramount Theatre in Abilene. emilia.richardson@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.