In the News

  • SDA faculty member Esther K. Chae headshot smiling with a pink shirt

    New Faculty Spotlight: Esther K. Chae

    The internationally award-winning artist, educator, and entrepreneur Esther K. Chae joined the full-time faculty at SDA this year.

    faculty
  • Student Group Spotlight: Brand New Theatre

    Brand New Theatre puts on performances that are 100% written, directed, designed, and produced by students.

    brand new
  • headshot of Paula Cizmar

    Faculty Q&A: Paula Cizmar

    Professor Paula Cizmar talks about teaching, theatre as a driver of social change, and her new opera Firecrackers.

    getting to know
  • Designing spaces for conversations

    SDA alum Maureen Weiss (BFA ‘96) and SDA professor Sibyl Wickersheimer’s new book highlights the voices and work of contemporary set designers for the first time.

    design shift
  • Finding the path to leadership

    A host of multihyphenate directors, producers, and executives discussed strategies for artistic entrepreneurship at the fifth Multihyphenate Masterclass.

    multihyphenate
  • A headshot of Professor Natsuko Ohama looking at the camera.

    Faculty Q&A: Natsuko Ohama

    Professor Natsuko Ohama talks about balancing work and teaching, how to maintain a healthy voice as an actor, and letters she received from a certain literary recluse.

    getting to know
  • Eight comedians standing in a vertical row

    Student Group Spotlight: Commedus Interruptus

    Commedus Interruptus, the longest-running improv troupe on campus, is a tight-knit student group that takes big risks in pursuit of big laughs.

    comedy
  • Headshot of Ann Closs-Farley

    New Faculty Spotlight: Ann Closs-Farley

    New faculty member Ann Closs-Farley talks bringing Buzz Lightyear to life and hanging with Pee Wee Herman in this month’s new faculty spotlight.

    faculty
  • Debbie Allen and Kate Burton sit on chairs holding microphones and talking.

    Debbie Allen and alumni on transitioning from acting to directing

    Legendary multihyphenate Debbie Allen and a panel of Trojan alumni talked transitioning from acting to directing in the fourth Multihyphenate Masterclass.

    multihyphenate
  • Xipe Totec performs a traditional Aztec dance during the Día de los Muertos event at Plaza de la Raza. The new Salud Pa Ti Youth Theater Project at the center is a USC Good Neighbors Campaign grant recipient. (USC/Saúl García) (Photo/Sául García)

    Promoting therapy through theatre

    USC School of Dramatic Arts collaborates with Plaza de la Raza on programs to help youth overcome trauma.

    good neighbors
  • A headshot of Shivani Thakkar

    Alumni Q&A: Shivani Thakkar BA Theatre ’05

    For our Alumni Q&A series, Shivani Thakkar BA Theatre ’05 discusses dance, defining success for oneself, and tuning out the noise.

    alumni q&a
  • Students arrive at the Bing Theatre to watch the SDA production of Into the Woods

    Local high school students journey Into the Woods

    Students from East and South Los Angeles travel to the Bing Theatre for a special performance of the Sondheim masterpiece.

    community