Commencement Information for Students

The USC school of Dramatic 2019 Commencement Ceremony on May 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

The 140th Commencement Ceremony

The 140th Commencement Ceremony at the University of Southern California begins May 12, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. at Alumni Memorial Park.

THE USC SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ARTS UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023, AT 11 A.M. IN THE USC BING THEATRE.

THE USC SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ARTS GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023, AT 3 P.M. IN THE USC BING THEATRE.

Main USC Ceremony

Line up for the main ceremony at 7:30 a.m. at column F (see map on the USC commencement website). The processional will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the ceremony starting at 9 a.m. After the main ceremony is over, undergraduate students will head directly to Bing Theatre. The flag/banner bearer will lead you into Bing Theatre. There are no tickets for the main USC ceremony, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

USC School of Dramatic Arts Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony and Reception Information

The USC School of Dramatic Arts Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. in Bing Theatre. If you are not attending the main ceremony, please arrive at Bing Theatre no later than 10:15 a.m. The ceremony will end around 12:30 p.m. Immediately following, there will be a reception in Queen’s Courtyard for Dramatic Arts undergraduates and their families.

Ticketing for the Undergraduate Ceremony

Due to the number of graduates this year, each qualified undergraduate candidate will be guaranteed up to three tickets for inside the Bing Theatre, with an opportunity for an additional ticket. Any available extra tickets will be allocated based on a first-come, first-served basis of registration petitions.

Ticket distribution will be managed similarly to how we run our School of Dramatic Arts show tickets via the USC Ticket Office Mobile Ticketing system. Distribution will begin on April 13 (A-L) and finish on April 14 (M-Z) via the USC Ticket Office Mobile Ticketing system. Students will receive tickets to their USC ticket account and will be responsible for digitally transferring them to family members or friends. A separate attachment with instructions will be provided to students and parents at a later date.

Tickets not accepted via the USC Ticket Office Mobile Ticketing system by May 1 will be revoked from the student’s account and redistributed. Depending on the number of unused tickets, rush ticket sign-up for students may be available at the mandatory rehearsal on May 11, 2023.

Overflow Seating for the Undergraduate Ceremony

To accommodate additional guests beyond those allowed in the Bing, we will have a remote viewing area with a live-stream feed of the SDA ceremony in the Bing back patio. NOTE: This space has limited seating for up to 200 guests, and is available on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Mandatory Rehearsal for the Undergraduate Ceremony

There will be a mandatory undergraduate commencement rehearsal on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 3 p.m. in the Bing Theatre. Thanks to the School of Dramatic Arts, free Honor Cords will be distributed at the rehearsal to those undergraduate students with a 3.5 GPA in USC coursework determined after the fall 2022 posting of grades (excludes spring 2023 grades).

Live Webcast

There will be a live webcast of both ceremonies at their respective times.

USC School of Dramatic Arts Graduate Commencement Ceremony and Reception Information

The USC School of Dramatic Arts graduate commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 3 p.m. Graduates are asked to arrive at Bing Theatre no later than 2:45 p.m. on commencement day. The ceremony will end around 3:45 p.m. Immediately following, there will be a reception in Queen’s Courtyard for Dramatic Arts graduates and their families.

Ticketing for the Graduate Ceremony

There are no tickets for the graduate ceremony.

Mandatory Rehearsal for the Graduate Ceremony

There will be a mandatory graduate ceremony rehearsal on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. in the Bing Theatre.

General Commencement Information

Grad Fest

The 2023 Grad Fest will be held in person, at the Ronal Tutor Campus Center Ballroom on February 15th and 16th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Grad Fest is your one-stop way to get all the information you need about Commencement. All soon-to-be graduates are encouraged to stop by Grad Fest for answers to questions or to purchase Commencement-related products. For more information, visit the Grad Fest website at https://commencement.usc.edu/graduates/grad-fest/.

Cap & Gown Rentals

Ordering, measurement, and distribution of regalia will take place at the USC Bookstore patio on the 1st floor beginning in late April or early May.

For more information and to purchase or rent regalia, sashes, or announcements online, visit the USC Bookstore commencement page.

Graduate students, please note your hood color before renting regalia:

  • Master of Fine Arts, Acting: Brown
  • Master of Fine Arts, Dramatic Writing: Brown

Baccalaureate Ceremony

Baccalaureate is a non-denominational, inter-faith celebration open to all students and their guests, taking place on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 5 p.m. in Bovard Auditorium. No tickets are required; seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No regalia is required for students. Learn more about Baccalaureate.

Guests With Disabilities

For guests with disabilities please visit the USC Commencement website for information regarding parking or seating. If assistance is needed for either USC School of Dramatic Arts ceremony, please indicate your guest’s needs when filling out the student registration form. You will be contacted in April to confirm any special instructions.

Parking

Parking on campus is FREE on Commencement Day, but spaces fill up quickly. Additional parking is available at the University Parking Center, located on the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Grand Avenue.  Trams will be available to take guests from the Parking Center to campus.

Additional information may be found at the USC Commencement website.

For more information call 213-740-3149 or email sdaevent@usc.edu.

More information

Additional information may be found at the USC Commencement website.

For more information call 213-740-3149 or email sdaevent@usc.edu.

Registration

If you are a student eligible to participate in either the undergraduate or graduate commencement ceremony for the USC School of Dramatic Arts, registration is required beginning Jan. 31, 2023, and ending Feb. 20, 2023. No late registrations will be accepted. If you will not be participating in commencement, please continue to register and indicate that you will not be participating. Please note: the below registration forms do not open until Jan. 31.

 REGISTER