USC School of Dramatic Arts

The USC School of Dramatic Arts produced two dozen shows in 2012–13, including classics like Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard and modern spin-offs like A Midsummer Saturday Night’s Fever Dream. Here Christopher Bautista and Briana Henry play pioneers in Flyin’ West, a play that tells the story of the thousands of African-Americans that headed west in the mid-1800s hoping to own land and become equal citizens.

One of the premier dramatic arts schools in the United States, the USC School of Dramatic Arts provides the necessary education and training for graduates to excel in the professional arts and related fields, which offers an ideal foundation to a liberal education that prepares students for a wide range of career interests. The school promotes and supports innovative and flexible ways to achieve students’ educational and professional goals.

The dramatic arts are both a collaborative endeavor and a universal means of communication. The school educates students in the history of theatre, while preparing them to add to that history, to use their talents, skill and imagination to explore the limitless possibilities the dramatic arts offer.

The USC School of Dramatic Arts is significantly enhanced by its location in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. Theatre professionals frequently teach seminars, mentor students and participate in School of Dramatic Arts productions.

Graduates of the school work professionally in all aspects of theatre, film and television. The school’s performance and design faculty are dynamic teachers who also regularly work in the theatre and entertainment industry.

The breadth of learning opportunities offered at the school prepares students for the spectrum of careers in the professional theatre, including performance, production, design, sound design, management and teaching. The School of Dramatic Arts also strives to instill confidence, integrity, excellence and artistic sensitivity into each of its students — traits that are essential to success in any field.

Administration

Madeline Puzo, Dean

Sharon M. Carnicke, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Velina Hasu Houston, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Jack R. Rowe, Associate Dean

Faculty

Professors: Sharon M. Carnicke, Ph.D.; Velina Hasu Houston, Ph.D.

Associate Professors: Meiling Cheng, DFA; Oliver Mayer, MFA

Assistant Professors: Luis Alfaro; Angus Fletcher, Ph.D.; Christina Haatainen-Jones; Takeshi Kata; Tom Ontiveros, MFA; Sibyl Wickersheimer, MFA

Professors of Theatre Practice: Andrei Belgrader; Natsuko Ohama; Andrew J. Robinson

Associate Professors of Theatre Practice: Paul Backer, Ph.D.; Brent Blair, M.A.; David Bridel; Elsbeth M. Collins; Joseph Hacker, MFA; Duncan Mahoney; Mary-Joan Negro; Jack R. Rowe; Stephanie Shroyer, MFA; Eric Trules

Assistant Professors of Theatre Practice: Philip G. Allen; Anita Dashiell-Sparks, MFA; David Warshofsky

Adjunct Faculty: Tony Abatemarco; Joe Anthony; Robert Bailey; Corbett Barklie; Joe Bays; Jason Robert Brown; Tom Buderwitz; Anne Burk; Frank Catalano; Julian S. Cha; Stacie Chaiken; Paula Cizmar; Anastasia Coon, MFA; Debra DeLiso; John DeMita; Barbara Dodge, MFA; Kathleen S. Dunn-Muzingo; Frank Dwyer; Kiyomi Emi; Dan Fishbach; Laura Flanagan; Jeff Flowers; Parmer Fuller, Ph.D.; Julianne Gale, M.A.; Terry Gordon; Elizabeth Hogan; Paula Holt; Michael Keenan; Mary K. Klinger; Shishir Kurup; Edgar Landa; Vicki Lewis; Helene Lorenz; Heather Lyle, M.M.; Susan Main; Marjo-Riikka Makela, MFA; Babette Markus; Kevin McCorkle; Laural Meade; Randy Mell; Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, MFA; Leah Piehl; Ron Popenhagen, Ph.D.; John Rubinstein; Colin Sieburgh, M.Arch.; Doug Tompos; Ella Turenne; Laura Vena; Matt Walker; Julie Welch

Emeritus Professors: Eve Roberts, MFA; Robert R. Scales, Ph.D.; James Wilson, MFA