Catawba College Theatre Department, Shuford School of Performing Arts thumbnail

Catawba College Theatre Department, Shuford School of Performing Arts

Start an Application

Narrow your Search

GOOD GOES FAR.

Welcome to the online recorded audition portal for Catawba College's
THEATRE ARTS DEPARTMENT: Shuford School of Performing Arts (SSPA)!

Throughout your performing arts experience at Catawba College, you will focus on perfecting your craft. Our programs are quite different from a conservatory as we focus on the whole theatre artist across the discipline, though we offer BFA, BA, and BS degrees. We also offer a new technical interdisciplinary BS degree (Communications, Music, Theatre) in Entertainment Technology. Our approach for all degrees is highly practical and aligns directly with industry standards. We aim to create well-rounded, industry-ready professionals who have refined their talents through self-expression, collaboration, creative problem-solving, communication and leadership, accompanied by a broad understanding of the business of theatre that will enable a promising future in the arts! To learn more about our program offerings, please visit our website.

 
Ready to Apply?

Please complete the following steps:

1. To be considered for enrollment in the Theatre Arts program, please apply below and submit your free prescreen audition. This audition will serve as your audition for the BFA program as well.

2. Once your application and prescreened materials have been submitted through Acceptd, click here to submit an application to be admitted to Catawba College. **You must be admitted before any scholarships or financial aid can be awarded from Catawba College. The Early Decision date is Nov. 15.

3. After you have applied through Catawba College Admissions, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to get more information about your federal student aid. 

4. Last, but not least, please come visit us on campus. Feel free to come to one of the SSPA events listed below. You can also schedule a personal visit on campus through admissions here or email Sacha Witt at anwitt16@catawba.edu for theatre directly.

---
Shuford School of Performing Arts Event Information 
Please note that the SSPA events are an opportunity for our theatre faculty to get to know you personally! In addition, this event allows for a more memorable and collaborative experience through exposure to faculty and other students in-person. You can visit the classrooms and spaces you will learn in to see if this is a place you want to call home for the next few years.

All students who submit an audition or portfolio through Accept'd are eligible for Theatre Arts scholarship*. However, we do offer a full-tuition scholarship through our Hobgood Scholarship Competition. This special scholarship looks at the whole theatre artist/ scholar and is invitation-only. Your application will automatically be reviewed for invitation if you have submitted your materials prior to February 1.

*If we have seen you at a festival during this academic year and you have received a callback, this can take the place of your audition, but we still ask that you submit an application through Accept'd so that all of our faculty has a chance to get to know you! Please ask if you need assistance.

Catawba College Theatre Arts will be at:

 Kentucky College and Career Day, Oct. 25, Louisville, KY
NCTC College Day on Nov. 23, Greensboro College
Virginia Thespian Festival, Tysons Corner, VA January 9 - 11, 2025

Theatre Department Friday "A Day in the Life" (on campus)
Visit campus, sit in a theatre class, tour the spaces, and join current students and faculty for lunch. You'll have a chance to ask questions and see the department in action. Even better, these days are designed so you can receive complementary tickets for the evening show. 

Fall Dates:
November 15
Spring Dates: 
February 21, March 21, April 5 (show w/ Accepted Students Day)

Hobgood Scholarship Competition:
February 14th-15th
---
SSPA Events

The Catawba College Theatre Arts Department would like to announce our exciting season for the 2024-2025 year.
This year's focus is on Senior Student Directors!

Fall:
Student-directed Blue Masque/Mainstage Production (Zac Hunter)
No Exit
Oct. 4-6 (7:30 pm), Florence-Busby Corriher Theatre

Student-directed Blue Masque/Mainstage Production (Winter Hamilton)
The Revolutionists
Oct. 19 (7:30 pm), Oct.19-20 (2:30pm) Florence-Busby Corriher Theatre

Main Stage Production
Carrie: The Musical 
Nov. 15, 17 (7:30pm), 18 (2:30pm), Nov. 22, 23 (7:30) Hedrick Little Theatre

Spring:
Student-directed Main Stage (Camden Trimmer)
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (musical)
Feb. 14, 15 (7:30pm) 16 (2:30pm); Feb. 21, 22 (7:30pm) Hedrick Little Theatre

Student-Directed Blue Masque Production (Ila Deese)
Breadcrumbs
March 21, 22 (7:30) 23 (2:30pm), Florence-Busby Corriher Theatre

A Midsummer Night's Dream 

Shakespeare In The Park, location TBA

April 5th, April 12 Saturday (11:30AM) and (4:30PM)

April 6th Sunday (2:30PM)
In addition, there will be many performance opportunities such as one acts, vocal performances, and readings. Please contact us and we will be happy to arrange free tickets for your visit. We hope to see you on campus!

Contact:If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact Catawba College Admissions
by email: admission@catawba.edu or by phone: 800-228-2922
For questions regarding the theatre department, contact Theatre Arts Chair, Erin B. Dougherty, edougher@catawba.edu

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.