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USC School of Dramatic Arts

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1029 Childs Way
Los Angeles,California 90089
213.740.1286
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DEGREES OFFERED

Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts - Acting

Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts - Comedy

Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts - Design

Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts Studies

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sound Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Stage Management

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Direction

Minor in Theatre

Minor in Comedy

Minor in Musical Theatre

Minor in Performing Arts Studies

Minor in Performing Leadership

Minor in Performing Social Change

Minor in Playwriting

Master of Fine Arts in Acting

Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing


At the USC School of Dramatic Arts, we foster the talents of artist-scholars who are dramatically different – who are willing to imagine the future of the entertainment industry and bring it to life. Students at the USC School of Dramatic Arts arrive with enormous potential which we nurture and empower through an interdisciplinary, entrepreneurial education that helps them develop the skills necessary to discover their unique voice. The agile nature of our approach exposes students to diverse styles and multiple mediums, and they graduate prepared with the tools necessary for sustainable and thriving careers. We are, after all, Trojans. We are a dramatically different community within a world-class research university. Our faculty are working professionals from the stage and from the screen, from Los Angeles, from the nation and from around the world. We offer unparalleled production opportunities for students to gain critically important hands-on experience. And USC alumni are part of an unrivaled legacy: spanning every medium and every platform, our creative artists have made their way into the hearts and minds of millions.

Notable Alumni Include:

Patrick J. Adams, Troian Bellisario, Beck Bennett, LeVar Burton, Sophia Bush, Tate Donovan, Anthony Edwards, Ryan Eggold, Daryl Hannah, Randy Johnson, Swoosie Kurtz, James Lesure, John Ritter, Stark Sands, Kyra Sedgwick, Ally Sheedy, Jonathan Silverman, James Snyder, Darren Star, Eric Stoltz, Danny Strong, Chase Williamson, Forest Whitaker


Acceptance Rate:

The University of Southern California's (USC) School of Dramatic Arts has an overall acceptance rate of around 25.6%, with the BFA in Acting program being even more selective at 6.2%.


Faculty Info:

Elizabeth M. Daley, Interim Dean Lori Ray Fisher, Vice Dean Sharon M. Carnicke Meiling Cheng Melinda C. Finberg Rena M. Heinrich Luis Alfaro Paula Cizmar Velina Hasu Houston Oliver Mayer Andrei Belgrader Alexandra Billings Brent Blair David Bridel Kate Burton Anita Dashiell-Sparks John DeMita Kathleen Dunn-Muzingo Laura Flanagan Joseph Hacker Kenneth Noel Mitchell Lauren Murphy Mary Joan Negro Natsuko Ohama Christopher Shaw Dan Shaner Stephanie Shroyer Zachary Steel David Warshofsky Philip G. Allen Elsbeth M. Collins Scott Faris Christina Haatainen-Jones Elizabeth Harper Takeshi Kata Duncan Mahoney Sibyl Wickersheimer Bayo Akinfemi Emily Alpren Boni B. Alvarez Robert Bailey Christopher Bange Ahmed Best Tom Buderwitz Frank Catalano Tiffany Cole Julián Juaquín Conde Samuel Craven-Griffiths Jeff Crockett Susan Patterson Dalian Tim Dang Gregg T. Daniel Fran de Leon Debra De Liso Gary Domasin Kirstin Eggers Josh Epstein Wayne Federman Laurie Fisher Terry Gordon Jenny Guthrie Ed Haynes Jr. Mireya Hepner MaryAnn Hu Paul Hungerford Stevie Johnson Hana Kim Edgar Landa Paul Lazarus Jay Lee Vicki Lewis Babette Markus Kevin McCorkle Matthew Montgomery Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine Jeremiah O’Brian Tanya Orellana Kaitlyn Pietras Larry Powell Kosta Potamianos Andy Robinson Tamara Ruppart Gabriella Santinelli Sim Sarna Kenneth Sawyer Judith Shelton Jason Thompson Camille Thornton-Alson Rodney To Inger Tudor Paul Urcioli Kc Wayland Sabra Williams Charlayne Woodard Stephen Zuckerman



Related Articles

GHOSTS OF USC: THE WEDDING Comes to USC School of Dramatic Arts
by Stephi Wild - April 10, 2025


Award-winning theatre Company of Angels and the USC School of Dramatic Arts will present the world premiere of Ghosts of USC: The Wedding, an Immersive theatrical presentation.

BWW Q&A: Ian Melamed on GOODBYE DOCTOR at Psykout
by Joshua Wright - September 27, 2024


We talk to Ian Melamed about his new theater company Psykout and ther upcoming production of Goodbye Doctor. Ian Melamed is an actor, director, producer, composer, and classically trained cellist from Larchmont New York. He is a graduate of the USC School of Dramatic Arts, and the President of the newly founded Psykout Inc. (or just Psykout!) A new theatre company dedicated to telling stories that feature science, technology, and philosophy.

Heather Headley and Ben Platt Will Join Jason Robert Brown at Carnegie Hall
by Stephi Wild - August 26, 2024


Tony and Grammy Award-winning artists Heather Headley and Ben Platt will join three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown for his Carnegie Hall solo concert debut on October 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM.

Jason Robert Brown Will Perform in Concert at Carnegie Hall In October
by Stephi Wild - July 17, 2024


Three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown will perform a special concert event at Carnegie Hall on October 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM. Learn more about the concert here!

The Colony Theatre to Present THE CIVILITY OF ALBERT CASHIER
by Chloe Rabinowitz - July 12, 2024


THE COLONY THEATRE will present the new musical THE CIVILITY OF ALBERT CASHIER from August 31 to September 22. Discover the story of a Civil War soldier with a unique and compelling history.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Comes to 5-Star Theatricals in July
by Stephi Wild - June 18, 2024


5-Star Theatricals has announced the cast and creative team for one of the most beloved family musicals of all time, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren Will Lead First Broadway Production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS
by Nicole Rosky - June 16, 2024


Still hurting over the end of the Broadway season? BroadwayWorld has just learned that that singer, songwriter and actor Nick Jonas and Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren will return to Broadway to star as 'Jamie' and 'Cathy' in the first ever Broadway production of Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown's beloved THE LAST FIVE YEARS. We have all of the details!

USC School of Dramatic Arts MFA Program Will Be Tuition Free As Of 2024/2025 Academic Year
by Joshua Wright - June 14, 2024


For the first time in its history, students attending the USC School of Dramatic Arts to receive their Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) in the acting and dramatic writing programs will be attending the university tuition-free starting in the 2024-25 academic year.

Amber Ruffin's BIGFOOT! THE MUSICAL is Coming to The Hollywood Fringe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 14, 2024


Amber Ruffin's Bigfoot is coming to the Hollywood Fringe. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

New Musical NICKY AND THE ANGELS Announced At The Whitefire Theater
by A.A. Cristi - March 12, 2024


After a sold-out run at the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival, the new musical “Nicky and the Angels” will play six Sunday night performances at the Whitefire Theater in Sherman Oaks, at 7:00 P.M. April 14 – May 19, 2024. 

Lea Salonga, Gavin Creel, Brian d'Arcy James & More Set for MISCAST24
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 29, 2024


MCC Theater has revealed that Miscast24 will take place on Monday April 15, 2024 at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Learn additional details!

THE VOICE Winner Maelyn Jarmon to Star in THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Core Theatre Group
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 21, 2023


Maelyn Jarmon (Season 16 winner of “The Voice”) and Clay Singer (National Tour of The Band’s Visit) will star in three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Core Theatre Group.

Lesli Margheita, George Salazar & More to Star in Pasadena Playhouse HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 16, 2023


Pasadena Playhouse announces the cast for their Holiday Spectacular, including Broadway stars MaryAnn Hu and Lesli Margheita. Get all the details here.

East West Players Extends SPRING AWAKENING
by Stephi Wild - November 09, 2023


East West Players has announced the extension of the Tony Award winning best musical Spring Awakening. Based on the play by Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening features book & lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik.

Company Of Angels And USC School Of Dramatic Arts Collaborate To Present Immersive GHOSTS OF USC
by A.A. Cristi - September 27, 2023


​​​​​​Award-winning theatre Company of Angels has joined forces with the USC School of Dramatic Arts to create “Ghosts of USC: A Historical Immersive Haunt,” a fully immersive production, presented in collaboration with the new Themed Entertainment Program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.



Past Student Productions

SHOW THEATER
Stupid Fing Bird
(11/11/21 - 11/21/21)
University of Southern California
Everybody
(2/5/21 - 3/6/21)
University of Southern California
The MotherFer with the Hat
(10/16/20 - 10/17/20)
University of Southern California
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
(10/16/20 - 10/17/20)
University of Southern California
WEST SIDE STORY in Broadway WEST SIDE STORY
(2/27/20 - 3/15/20)
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Camino Real
(3/5/20 - 3/8/20)
University of Southern California
The Minotaur
(11/14/19 - 11/16/19)
University of Southern California
The Cider House Rules, Part Two: In Other Parts of the World
(11/1/19 - 11/10/19)
University of Southern California
The Brothers Size
(11/7/19 - 11/9/19)
University of Southern California
The Cider House Rules, Part One: Here in St. Cloud's
(10/31/19 - 11/9/19)
University of Southern California
9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL in Broadway 9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL
(9/20/19 - 10/6/19)
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Men on Boats
(10/3/19 - 10/6/19)
University of Southern California
ROALD DAHL'S WILLY WONKA JR. in Broadway ROALD DAHL'S WILLY WONKA JR.
(7/26/19 - 7/26/19)
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Rough Magic
(4/18/19 - 4/21/19)
University of Southern California
Holy Ghosts
(2/28/19 - 3/3/19)
University of Southern California
Children of the Sun in Broadway Children of the Sun
(2/1/19 - 2/28/19)
University of Southern California - Scene Dock Theatre

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