Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make a living in Theater?
  
• What have some of your graduates gone on to do in the real world?
  
• Is the MJT available to rent?
  
• Where do you rehearse?
  
• What is the Rehearsal Schedule usually like?
  
• I'd like to act, but I don't think I'm ready for the big time yet, what can I do?
  
• What kind of theater do you produce?
  
• How many shows do you do in a season, and what does it cost to attend?
  
• Who can participate in University Theater?
  
• Is experience required?
  
• I'm not really an actor, are there other areas in which I can be involved?

Can I make a living in Theater?
ABSOLUTELY! There are many career paths that one involved in theater can pursue. There are the obvious ones, like acting, directing, etc. However, there are other options: teaching, interior design, voice-overs, corporate productions, trades (carpentry, electrical work), architecture, marketing, fund-raising, the list goes on and on.

What have some of your graduates gone on to do in the real world?
Several have become very well known actors and/or directors. Other alumni are designers, teachers, producers. Some are in television, film, and Broadway. Many go on to graduate programs all over the country in all fields of study, including medicine and law.

Is the MJT available to rent?
Sadly, no. Due to our very full production schedule and lack of additional space, we are unable at this time to make our space available to the public at large.

Where do you rehearse?
We have a separate building, commonly known as the Drama Building as opposed to the Theater. While slightly smaller than the Theater (and originally the same size), the DB houses our box office, archives, administrative offices, and a rehearsal/class room. The Drama Building was the school's original chapel.

What is the Rehearsal Schedule usually like?
Typically, the Mainstage production (as opposed to the smaller Senior Thesis productions) rehearses five nights a week for three hours at a time with an additional rehearsal on Sunday afternoons. The Senior Thesis productions (or Senior Studios) rehearse during the day 3-4 times a week for 1.5-2 hours a day.

Who can participate in the University Theater?
Anyone who is a student at the University of Dallas may audition or participate backstage for University Theater productions.

Is experience required?
Absolutely not! Heck, that is why this is a school, after all.

I'm not really an actor, are there other areas in which I can be involved?
There are plenty of positions that have to be filled for EVERY show. Before the show opens, we need people to hang and focus lights, build sets, build costumes, and build props. Not very handy? Well, we always need help with publicity and reservations. Then for the show, we also need board operators, running crews, ushers, make-up and hair people, and dressers. Phew! It takes a huge number of people to get a show up and running. You can also receive credit for these activities!

I'd like to act, but I don't think I'm ready for the big time yet, what can I do?
There are a number of ways to hone your skills as an actor. We have courses like Acting 3301 (which of course teaches the skill of acting) & Directing Lab 4141 (where the senior directors try out their directing skills on You).

What kind of theater do you produce?
The University Theater primarily produces scripts from the Classics on up to early Twentieth Century (Modern). Occasionally a contemporary script will find its way to the stage.

How many shows do you do in a season, and what does it cost to attend?
On average, we produce 10-12 shows a year. This is primarily affected by the number of senior drama majors.

Main Stage Ticket Pricing is as follows:
UD Students each receive two free tickets (with their ID),
UD Faculty & Staff are also free (with ID),
General Public tickets are $10 each
Children, Seniors (55+), and all non-UD students are $8 each.

The Senior Studio Productions are FREE to everyone!