In celebration of the USC School of Dramatic Arts’ history in dramatic arts education, we are sharing more than 75 stories during the 2021-22 school year that represent the past, present and future of the School. A special thank you to the members of our community who contributed their stories for this momentous anniversary.
In the News
Alumni Q&A: Rebecca Mellinger BA ’17
For our Alumni Q&A series, Rebecca Mellinger BA ’17 discusses her work using entertainment and media platforms to drive social change, advice for students and more.
alumni q&a
Alumni Q&A: Kendall Johnson MFA ’14
In our Alumni Q&A series, we caught up with Kendall Johnson MFA ’14 to discuss what he’s working on professionally, his favorite USC experience, advice for students and more.
alumni q&a
75 years and beyond
A video reflection on the School of Dramatic Arts’ rich history in dramatic arts education and the exciting impact its made in the arts.
watch
Alumni Memories: June 13
Alumnus Todd Nonnenberg BA ’96 recounts a particularly memorable day in Paul Backer’s class.
theatre of the absurd
Flashback: Arts After Dark
A video look back to 2013 of students at USC’s six world-class arts schools, refining their craft in nighttime labs, theatres and rehearsal rooms all across campus.
watch
Front & Center: SDA Performance Venues of the Past
A video spotlight on the venues our productions have inhabited over the last 75 years.
stages
Alumni Memories: June 6
Alumnus Jeff Keane BFA ’80 tells a heartwarming story of lifelong friendship, from graduation onward.
lunch box
Alumni Q&A: Elizabeth O’Connell BA ’84
In our Alumni Q&A series, we caught up the alumna to discuss her favorite experience at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, returning to the Bing Theatre, advice for students and more.
alumni q&a
Alumni Memories: May 16
Alumna Cheryl Wolder shares a fond NBC Live! memory from her time as a student.
in three, two…
Faculty Q&A: Dan Shaner
The Associate Professor of Theatre Practice shares about his role as director of the SDA Professional Development Center, what programming new students should take advantage of and more.
getting to know
Student Q&A: Naveen Bhatia
The BS ’22 student, who doubled as a sound designer at SDA, discusses why he decided to work in SDA’s sound program, his favorite theatre projects at USC and more in Q&A series with current students.
10 questions
Front & Center: The Early Days of the USC School of Dramatic Arts
A video spotlight on the early days of the School, when it was first founded at USC.
history
Alumni Memories: May 2
Alumnus Jackson Bostwick MFA ’73 reflects on his time at the School and subsequent acting career.
reflecting
Interns turned full time: these alums now oversee student hires at their respective companies
Offered career positions after interning, Lauren Cole BA ’20, Isabella Dake BA ’20 and Anastasia Zavodnick BA ’21 mentor their own interns and turn to the SDA Professional Development Center and the Trojan Family to hire students.
Trojan Family
Kirstin Eggers and Stevie Johnson join full-time faculty
The alumni and educators transitioned to their roles as assistant professors of theatre practice this spring.
Trojan spirit
Alumni Memories: April 18
Alumnus Jason Ginsburg BA ’96 shares an anecdote from his senior year at the School.
Experimentals
Jennifer Wheeler Kahn BFA ’04 breathes new life into old theatre materials as sustainable fashion goods
The stage management alumna’s Scenery Bags transforms theatrical leftovers, including SDA’s recycled Bing Theatre curtain, and donates a portion of proceeds to theatre programs.
sustainability
Alumni Memories: April 11
Loyal alumnus and staff member Howard Schmitt shares his thoughts on the Trojan identity.
fight on forever
Front & Center: Institute for Theatre & Social Change
A video spotlight on our Institute for Theatre & Social Change at the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
together we can
Faculty Q&A: Ahmed Best
The faculty member shares about directing ‘Hooded or Being Black for Dummies,’ advice he gives to students, his work outside of USC and more.
getting to know
Alumni Memories: April 4
Alumna Melinda Robinson MFA ’78 shares a costume shop memory from backstage on Oklahoma.
looking back
“Let them know there’s more to you:” ‘Take Me Out’ cast and director share advice
With the Broadway revival opening April 4, we look back at a special roundtable with director Scott Ellis and actors Patrick J. Adams, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse Williams, which took place in 2020.
Spotlight@SDA
From the USC stage to illuminating the Oscars and winning Emmys
Madigan Stehly BFA ’14 utilizes his theatre-based roots at USC to become an Emmy-winning lighting director.
Oscars
Faculty Q&A: Rena Heinrich
The Assistant Professor of Theatre Practice and Interim Artistic Director shares about the SDA Literary Committee’s play selection process, her advocacy work with California State Parks, the rewarding part about teaching and more.
getting to know
Alumni Memories: March 21
Alumnus Mark Hilliard BFA ’81 recalls an embarrassing moment and some of his SDA favorites.
remember when
Alumni Q&A: David Fickas BFA ’96
The director, writer and producer discusses why he’s an alumni volunteer, four ways students can prepare for the professional world, lessons he learned at SDA and more.
q&a
Gabriela Ortega BFA ’17 uplifts Latin American culture and community through her work as an artist
The BFA Acting alumna, who was recently named one of Disney+ Launchpad’s short film directors, is taking great care to tell inclusive stories on screen.
art with care
Alumni Memories: March 8
Alumnus Joshua Townshend BFA ’83 shares his recollection of a memorable professor.
cowboy boots
Alumni Memories: March 4
Alumna Joni Ravenna BFA ’84 shares a few snaps from her college photo album.
looking back
Front & Center: Guest Artists & Faculty Over the Years
A video spotlight on some of the distinguished talents and trailblazers that have graced our hallways.
luminaries
Faculty Q&A: Kenneth Sawyer
The director and faculty member discusses his professional career, directing ‘Scenes from The Odyssey,’ the most rewarding aspect of teaching and more.
getting to know
A toast to the new building project kicks off renovations
A Drama Center groundbreaking celebration on Feb. 12 was held on site with a few friends and supporters of the School. The event marks the next chapter for the School as building renovations are set to begin.
celebration
Alumni Memories: February 14
Alumna and honoree Michele Dedeaux Engemann BA ’68 shares a few photos from her many years as a Trojan.
serviceFront & Center: Paul Backer
A video spotlight on beloved professor Paul Backer, a friend to many at the School.
remembering
Alumni Memories: January 31
Alumna Iman Khan BFA ’18 captions a few photos from her recent years at USC.
good times
Virginia Ross is ready to retire — really, this time
After delaying her retirement to help see the School through a pandemic, SDA’s longtime associate dean of business affairs will say goodbye early this semester.
longtime Trojan
Faculty Q&A: Takeshi Kata
The scenic designer, associate professor and SDA head of design shares about his recent work on Broadway, what makes the design faculty special, his teaching style and more.
q&a
Student Q&A: Zoe McCracken
The BFA ’24 technical direction major and music industry minor discusses an impactful project, being in Los Angeles, the faculty and more in our 10 Questions series with current students.
10 questions
Time Capsule: first production in the Bing Theatre
Travel back in time with a look at the program for our 1976 production of the very first show mounted in the Bing Theatre.
sweet bird of youth
Alumni Memories: January 17
Alumna Shauna Steiner Torok Reppe BFA ’84 shares a few memories from her time at SDA.
good times
Front & Center: Career Center
A video spotlight of the School of Dramatic Arts’ Career Center, making SDA the first drama school to have a dedicated career center.
watch
Front & Center: Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
A video spotlight of the School of Dramatic Arts’ Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, which was established in 2017.
watch
SDA at Center Stage
A look at the School of Dramatic Arts’ last 75 years of dramatic arts education and where it’s headed into the future of theatrical excellence.
Callboard
Extraordinary Trojans: Forest Whitaker ’82
Multi-award-winning actor and activist is distinguished with the Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists.
Callboard
Extraordinary Trojans: Michele Dedeaux Engemann BA ’68
One singular sensation, the artist and SDA champion is honored with the Alumni Service Award.
Callboard
Extraordinary Trojans: Donald Webber Jr. BFA ’08
The Broadway and ‘Hamilton’ actor finds himself in the room where it happens, earns the Broadway Spotlight Award.
Callboard
Extraordinary Trojans: Greg Holford BA ’80, MFA ’82
The longtime creative director and designer of grand live events and spectaculars receives the Production Innovation Award.
Callboard
Extraordinary Trojans: Grant Heslov BFA ’86
An artist who does it all, the award-winning producer and his company Smokehouse Pictures are recipients of the Corporate Leadership Award.
Callboard
There’s No Place Like Home
The School of Dramatic Arts finds a new building at the center of USC’s arts corridor.
Callboard
Success in Post
Award-winning artist and alumna Jameelah Nuriddin BFA ’06 shares about her fulfilling career giving voice to marginalized communities.
Callboard
Representing USC at the Largest Arts Festival in the World
Professor John Blankenchip led the School of Dramatic Arts for 23 seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Callboard
A Glimpse of SDA History
Since the university’s inception in 1880, dramatic arts have had a significant role in the student experience.
Callboard
Then & Now: The School’s Homebase
A look at the School of Dramatic Arts’ first home at Old College to the new building, opening December 2023.
Callboard
Alumni Marquee 2021-22
Some of the accomplishments the School of Dramatic Arts alumni are achieving, from the Class of 1960s and on.
Callboard
Extraordinary Trojans: Acceptance Speeches & Tribute Videos
The School of Dramatic Arts honors five inspiring alumni who have made a difference in the dramatic arts through their commitment, artistry and engagement.
honorees
Video: New Building Fly-Through
Take a sneak peek at renderings of future plans for the School’s new building at the center of USC’s arts corridor.
tour
75 Years of SDA: Slideshow (Part 3)
Enjoy a trip down memory lane in the final installment of three slideshows featuring images and videos from our 75 years at the University of Southern California.
#SDA75
Top 10 stories of 2021
From a new building to full-time hires, scholarships and the 75th celebration, here are the 10 most viewed stories of the year.
2021 reflectionAlumni Q&A: Jason Ginsburg BA ’96
The senior digital producer shares about Commedus Interruptus, creating “other” goals, a valuable lesson he learned at SDA and more.
alumni q&a
Faculty Q&A: Terry Gordon
The costume designer shares about her extensive sitcom experience, how her teaching has adapted throughout the years, the most rewarding aspect of teaching and more.
q&a
75 Years of SDA: Slideshow (Part 2)
Enjoy a trip down memory lane in the second of three slideshows, which features images and videos from our 75 years of dramatic arts at the University of Southern California.
#SDA75
75 Years of SDA: Slideshow (Part 1)
Enjoy a trip down memory lane in the first of three slideshows, which features images and videos from our 75 years of dramatic arts at the University of Southern California.
#SDA75
Alumni Memories: November 2
Alumnus Moonie Ahmed BFA ’82 shares a few snapshots from shows he acted in at SDA.
good times
Alumni Q&A: Brian Jordan Alvarez BFA ’09
The actor shares his best USC experience, how to prepare for the professional world and more.
alumni q&a
Front & Center: John Blankenchip
A video spotlight on beloved professor John Edward Blankenchip, who led the School’s Festival Theatre USC-USA program.
watch now
Faculty Q&A: Stephanie Shroyer
Hear from the professor about this season — particularly her role as the SDA artistic director and the director for ‘Body of Faith’ — the most rewarding aspects of teaching and more.
back in the theatre
Alumni Memories: September 22
Alumnus Michael Cantor BA ’70 shares his memory of a missed cue on the opening night of a West Side Story production.
play it cool
The Odyssey: A theatrical journey through SDA’s past, present and future
The USC School of Dramatic Arts celebrates over 75 years of dramatic arts education during an anniversary benefit, honoring five extraordinary alumni.
#SDA75
Announcing a vibrant new home for the USC School of Dramatic Arts
The significant revival and interior redesign of the historic UUC building will provide a nearly 40,000 square foot home and is scheduled to open December of 2023.
home
Alumni Memories: September 7
Alumna Shivani Thakkar BA Acting ’05 recalls a sweet interaction with esteemed late actor Ed Asner.
legend
Video, 1940 on-campus production of ‘The American Way’
See an old clip of actors using campus as their stage, before the drama department was established at USC.
history
Throwback Thursday: August 26
Alum Marie Gillespie MFA Acting ’82 shares her fondest memories and SDA’s impact on her life.
#tbt
Welcome Week 2021
A photo gallery of Welcome Week activities at the USC School of Dramatic Arts, plus a video look back at the last 10 years of class photos.
#WelcomeToUSC
Alumni Q&A: Joe Towne BA ’95
The artist shares about lessons he learned from his SDA training, current projects, his favorite theatre on campus and more.
alumni q&a
ABC documentary special on alum John Ritter airs Aug. 25
Beloved School of Dramatic Arts alumnus and actor featured in a series that “examine[s] the mavericks who shaped American Culture.”
remembering
Faculty Q&A: Edgar Landa
The faculty member and SDA alum shares what he’s been up this summer, his favorite SDA memory, what students are surprised to learn in his classes and more.
getting to know
Alumni Memories: August 16
Alumnus Kim LaFontaine MFA Design ’81 shares a photo memory from on set at the Bing in 1980.
Red Ryder
Alumni Memories: August 5
Alumnus Nathan Agin BA ’03 shares a fond memory of a 2002 ISP production.
reminisce
Front & Center: Bing Theatre
A video spotlight on our 550-seat proscenium Bing Theatre, named after USC Trustee Anna Bing Arnold.
watch now
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