Drama

The Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama, the second oldest School of Drama in the nation, offers performance-centered, professional programs designed to prepare students to successfully pursue careers in the performing arts. All School of Drama undergraduate programs lead toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Degree emphasis tracks include: Acting, Design (Costume, Lighting, Scenic, or Sound), Dramaturgy, and Stage Management.

We offer a conservatory-style environment combined with the advantages of a liberal arts education from a nationally renowned university. Our faculty consists of theatre artists with distinguished careers who regularly return to the professional industry and work as actors, directors, dramaturgs, stage managers and designers, bringing the fruits of their experience into the classroom, rehearsals, and production.

We have five fully equipped performance spaces: the Elsie C. Brackett Theatre, a 600-seat proscenium house; the A. Max Weitzenhoffer Theatre, a 225-seat state-of-the-art flexible house; The Lab Theatre, an 80-seat proscenium house; the Gilson Studio Theatre, a small blackbox theatre; and Holmberg Hall, a historic European-style performance hall seating 677.

The OU School of Drama consistently receives awards and top honors at the National Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and was recently named one of the Top 10 Theatre Design and Technology Programs in the nation by OnStage.  In their senior year, Performance majors perform showcases in front of industry professionals in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Design and Production students have the opportunity to share their portfolio at the national USITT conference (the Association for Performing Arts & Entertainment Professionals.)

Students have the opportunity to work with visiting artists in order to gain a wide range of experiences with many professionals in the field.  Drama majors also collaborate with fellow students in the College of Fine Arts, including designing for dance, opera, and musical theatre; acting in an opera production; or taking acting classes along with Musical Theatre majors.

Alumni of the school have earned prestigious roles and careers with theaters across the nation.

All School of Drama undergraduate programs lead toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Degree emphasis tracks include: Acting, Design (Costume, Lighting, Scenic, or Sound), Dramaturgy, and Stage Management.

Drama students typically have interests in: 

• Acting 
• Scenic, costume, sound, and lighting design 
• Dramaturgy 
• Stage management and/or technical production 

High school preparation should include student acting or working on tech for high school or local theaters.

• OU in Arezzo offers great opportunities for students to study drama while abroad. 
• Students can also participate in one of OU’s other Summer Study Abroad programs to earn general education course credit.

• Regional Theatres
• Talent Agencies
• Broadway
• Commercials
• Theme Parks
• Production Companies
• Universities
• Television
• Films