Your Future in Theatre

Any student at Charleston Southern University has the opportunity to minor in theatre. This exciting program stretches creative muscles and improves performance skills and is a wonderful complement to any major. Opportunities for participation abound!

The aim of the theatre program is to shine a light into the dark places through the pursuit of excellence in the art of performance. You will gain a strong background in theatre and onstage experience that will prepare you for real-world challenges in the industry.

As a student of theatre at CSU, you will have the opportunity to perform or work on a minimum of two main stage productions a year. Students also have the chance to perform, direct, or work on smaller productions in our Black Box Theatre. We offer personal attention in the classroom and practical experience through the production process.


Upcoming Production: The Sound of Music

Join CSU Players and Lyric Theatre as we celebrate the 65th Anniversary of “The Sound of Music.” Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

Buy Tickets Here!


Charleston Southern University’s accreditation can be found here.

Thomas Keating

Thomas Keating

Professor of Theatre
Library Basement
P843-863-7564
Etkeating@csuniv.edu

Theatre: share your talent

Our productions serve CSU students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community through entertainment and talk-backs that follow our shows. Our plays offer opportunities to act, design, assistant direct, build or paint. You may find yourself backstage or onstage – running a spotlight or in the spotlight.

As a Theatre minor, you’ll take courses like…

  • Acting
  • Introduction to Theatre
  • Advanced Acting
  • Directing
  • Movement for the Actor
  • Acting for the Camera
  • Theatre History
  • Stagecraft and Design

Past productions

  • Hansel and Gretel
  • Bystander 9/11
  • Shakespeare in Suburbia
  • Seussical: The Musical
  • Diving into the Wreck
  • The Actor’s Nightmare
  • She Loves Me
  • Enchanted April
  • King Lear
  • You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught

Upcoming events

Mar
29

Spring 2024: Good Friday (Campus Closed)

Charleston Southern University 1:00 am-11:55 pm
Apr
01

Spring 2024: Full session classes resume

Charleston Southern University 8:00 am-5:00 pm
A couple a students in a class lecture

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a wide variety of undergraduate academic majors to choose from including history, political science, English, music, communication studies, graphic design, criminal justice, psychology, sociology and Spanish. 

explore our facilities

Lightsey Chapel

Our Chapel theatre space seats 1,500 guests. This space is perfect for large scale productions and is equipped with a 30 line set fly system and the latest audio technology. Some previous productions held in the Chapel include West Side Story, Peter Pan, Into the Woods, and The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe.

explore our facilities

Black Box Theatre

The Black Box theatre, located in the music wing of Lightsey Chapel, is a versatile space that seats around 60 guests. Our Black Box is the ideal space for those up-close and personal theatre experiences. Previous productions include Hamlet, Another Antigone, and our very own You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught.

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I was lucky enough to train with Professor Keating. He was one of the best things that happened to me while at CSU. Thank you, Mr. Keating for pushing me artistically and encouraging me to pursue a career as an actor.

Chantal Maurice ’11 / Communications / Freelance Actor, Blue Bloods, Quantico

College did not cross my mind when I was a senior in high school. I didn’t think I needed theatre training because I had a “plan” to drop everything, move, and make it big. Three days before applications were due, I thought I should at least try if the opportunity existed. What would be the harm in learning more about what you love? Under Keating’s guidance, I have learned far more than I could have imagined from a historical and tactical standpoint. I carry those tools in my back pocket in both my theatre job and marketing job and those tools have helped me surpass my colleagues in the real world. I have never been in a better position than I am today.

Adelaide Lovelady ’21 / Marketing & Theatre

I love CSU’s Theatre minor program and the fabulous professor Keating, who made my CSU experience worth it every day. Every morning I looked forward to going to theatre class, learning how to express myself, and telling beautiful stories through this dynamic art. I would 100% return to CSU if I could take those theatre classes all over again. Thank you, Keating, for everything! Because of him and his careful time and training, I am a well-rounded person with a love for theatre and who has the training to express myself in this outlet for the rest of my life.

Nathan Mileski ’22 / Criminal Justice & Theatre

University News

Norris Family Legacy Living on Through Third Generation
Campus wide

Norris Family Legacy Living on Through Third Generation

Fred Norris III and his wife, Tracy Compton Norris ’83, recently visited campus to deliv…

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CSU Alumnus Inaugurated as Fourth President
Campus wide

CSU Alumnus Inaugurated as Fourth President

Charleston Southern University inaugurated B. Keith Faulkner as the university’s fourth …

Continue reading: CSU Alumnus Inaugurated as Fourth President