Student Opportunities

& Resources

Department of Theatre

Learn about the amazing opportunities for ACU’s Theatre students.
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Student Opportunities

& Resources

Department of Theatre

Learn about the amazing opportunities for ACU’s Theatre students.

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Senior Showcase

The Senior Showcase is an important final step in the professional training programs for graduating senior actors and musical theatre majors at the ACU Theatre and, for many, the beginning of successful professional performance careers. Learn more about Senior Showcase and meet our next showcase members at the button below.

2025 Senior Showcase

Tepper Semester

Study in NYC through this unique residency program from Syracuse University’s Department of Drama. Advanced-level undergraduate students can take full advantage of New York City’s rich cultural community while immersing themselves in a rigorous artistic training program.

More about Tepper Semester
Greenhouse Productions logo

The Greenhouse Arts & Media

Summer Internship Program

Establish Your Roots in the Industry The Greenhouse Internship Program provides college students with opportunities for personal and professional development, practical experience, and strategic planning for life after graduation. We offer students not only a great internship experience, but also access to a collaborative community where they can plug in, develop as creative artists, and gain a clearer picture of how to achieve their professional goals.

More about Greenhouse

ACU Theatre students at The Greenhouse Arts & Media Summer Internship Program (Marco Perez, Caleb Shields, Riley Dodd, Hayden Casey) join alum Caleb Pierce (’15) known for TV shows Veep, Insecure, The Big Bang Theory, and Grey's Anatomy.
ACU Theatre students at The Greenhouse Arts & Media Summer Internship Program (Marco Perez, Caleb Shields, Riley Dodd, Hayden Casey) join alum Caleb Pierce (’15) known for TV shows Veep, Insecure, The Big Bang Theory, and Grey’s Anatomy.

ACU alumna Sommerly Simser from Netflix, made participation in Greenhouse possible.
ACU alumna Sommerly Simser from Netflix, made participation in Greenhouse possible.

LA Film Studies Center

Study in Los Angeles! Administered by Olivet Nazarene University, this spring semester opportunity offers students experience on the ground in the heart of the film industry and provides a robust, faith-based, academic environment in which to grow. Students can connect with industry professionals and network with people who have Hollywood connections.

LEARN MORE

Forms & Applications for Current Theatre Students

Applications

Theatre Forms

Ally Beans (ACU Theatre Alumni), Ashley Parizek (ACU Theatre Alumni) and Michael Cassara - all top level New York industry casting directors and agents
Ally Beans (ACU Theatre Alumni), Ashley Parizek (ACU Theatre Alumni) and Michael Cassara – all top level New York industry casting directors and agents.

Professional alumni in the industry including Peter Hargrave who is currently touring the country as Scar in the national tour of the Lion King
ACU Theatre alumni, now industry professionals (l-r): Peter Hargrave (’12) currently on the national tour of The Lion King; Kat Hargrave (’11) Senior Agent at DGRW Agency, NY; Ashley Parizek (’12) Agent at Avalon Artist Group, NY; Ally Beans (’14) Casting Director with Eisenberg/Beans, NY, Dallas; Owen Beans (’14) Equity Actor, Producer, Dallas
2023 graduating BFA performance track seniors from the spring ‘23 Senior Showcase
2023 graduating BFA performance track seniors from the spring ‘23 Senior Showcase

2025 Senior Showcase

 

2025 ACU Showcase

The Senior Showcase is an important final step in the professional training programs for graduating senior actors and musical theatre majors at the ACU Theatre and, for many, is the beginning of successful professional performance careers. The showcase is the capstone for performers to participate in before they graduate. During the spring semester students perform and audition for invited agents, managers, casting directors, producers, musical directors and industry professionals in New York City and then make themselves available for callbacks, interviews, future auditions and representation. The senior showcase is an essential bridge in establishing a connection with industry professionals and ACU Theatre seniors who are ready to move into the marketplace.

2025 Senior Showcase Performances

March 3, 2025
9:30 p.m.
54 Below (Caberet Venue)

MORE At 54 below

March 4, 2025
4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Actor’s Temple Theatre

Click on each student below to learn more. (COMING)

Zola Feasel

Haven Foster

Hannah Galambos

Taylor Herndon

Spencer Kasselman

Layla Leveret

Patti Maisano

Jilly Nickens

Ella Root

Madi Sipe

Will Thompson

For more information, please reach out to Theatre Chair Dawne Meeks.

SPECIAL THANKS AND CREDITS for the 2024 Senior Showcase

Director/Producer – Dawne Swearingen Meeks
Showcase Coach – Joey Banks
Musical Director – Chris Hollingsworth
Accompanist – Marc Sanders
Showcase Coordinator – Devin Braswell
Industry Liaison – Kat Hargrave, DGRW NY talent agency

2024 SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS

Tepper Semester

ACU Theatre majors in performance and design tracks have the opportunity to spend their final semester studying with Broadway and award-winning instructors in New York City.

The Tepper Semester – a unique residency program from Syracuse University’s Department of Drama – takes full advantage of New York City’s rich cultural community and offers undergraduate students in advanced levels of acting, musical theatre, design, and stage management the opportunity to immerse themselves in a rigorous artistic training program. The ACU Theatre has an affiliation agreement with Syracuse University allowing ACU Theatre majors to attend the Tepper Semester.

As a student in the Tepper Semester, you work closely with an accomplished faculty of professional artists who nurture your creative, intellectual, and personal growth. Musical theatre students take dance classes at Broadway Dance Center. The program also guides you in understanding the business of the industry, which is essential for a rewarding and successful career in the performing arts. As an immersion experience, the professional preparatory semester creates the base of a national arts network for emerging young artists. Residency in New York City is an integral part of the Tepper Semester. Students live and study in the heart of New York’s theater district and attend studio classes in Syracuse University’s Fisher Center located at Madison Avenue and 31st Street in the heart of Manhattan. The program also takes advantage of the vast cultural and educational resources the city has to offer. Students learn from exposure to a broad spectrum of world-class theatres, museums, libraries, and numerous entertainment venues so vital to artistic training. Students attend Broadway or Off-Broadway theatre productions each week.

“I’m really excited about who we’re going to be working with, both the professors and also the other students and getting to be around people who love to create…Every year when the seniors come back from Tepper, they always seem to have an elevated sense of permission about pursuing their craft. They feel more confident about going forward, and they feel like they can really do this, so I’m excited to embrace that.”

–  Andrew Gilliland

“I am so excited to be sharing this experience with all of my really close friends. I am so thankful that this opportunity allows me to experience what it would be like to live in New York as well…. Being able to have the opportunity to perform for some casting agents is so exciting … while auditioning whenever we can is super helpful too.”

– Payton Reeves