Why Choose Theatre?

Our academic program includes an internship and other professional development so students may anticipate working in the field upon graduation. Graduates of our program have gone on to graduate school, teaching or professional work in the field.

Where Will You Learn?

Most FSU Theatre productions take place in our 200-seat Butler Theater in the heart of the east FSU campus. Equipped with state of the art lighting and sound technology and a fully furnished scene shop, Butler Theater is home to most of our mainstage shows and many of our classes. We occasionally produce shows in FSU's 1100-seat Seabrook Auditorium, including our children's production and special classics and musicals.

COMING SOON

Fayetteville State University (FSU) Theatre & Dance and the Department of Performing & Fine Arts will be presenting

THE BUSINESS OF BLACKNESS

A Black History Month Celebration of Dance and Theatre

February 16-17 at 9am and 11am (School Performances - $7 per student, chaperones and teachers FREE)

February 17-18 at 7:30pm (Public Performances - $10 general admission, $8 faculty/staff, $3 for students, FREE for FSU students with ID an pre-registration at least 24 hours in advance)

Location: Seabrook Auditorium

For more information on school performances/student matinees, please contact Jeremy Fiebig at jfiebig@uncfsu.edu or (910) 672-2574. 

The Fayetteville State University Dance & Theatre program is proud to present The Business of Blackness in February 2023. This passionate production will be a celebration of Black History Month and the impact of Black artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, leaders, and doers in our communities and world. This dance and theatre experience will bring together an amazing line-up of student artists, led by FSU Professor of Dance & Theatre, Avis Hatcher-Puzzo and guest artists, who are sure to provide an unforgettable event. 

Featuring dancers, actors, and performance artists from a range of backgrounds, The Business of Blackness will showcase a variety of styles informed by traditions from Africa and the African Diaspora. Through this fusing together of art forms and unique voices, we hope to honor the incredible history of Black people in our area and beyond. We also look forward to connecting with audience members through dialogue about the power of art, the importance of Black History Month, and the need to amplify voices from marginalized communities. 

FSU Dance and Theatre students are excited to show the community their hard work and dedication in The Business of Blackness. This unique performance fuses together contemporary dance with traditional elements for an inspiring journey that is sure to delight audiences of all ages. 

School and student performances of this production run February 16-17, 2023, at 9am and 11am in FSU's Seabrook Auditorium. Tickets for school and student groups are $7 for students; chaperones are free. The program runs approximately one hour. Seating is limited, and our student performances frequently sell out. Make reservations or find out more information about school performances by contacting Jeremy Fiebig at jfiebig@uncfsu.edu. Act quickly to secure tickets for this incredible, educational event. 

Public performances of The Business of Blackness run February 18, 2023, at 7:30pm in Seabrook Auditorium. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 FSU Faculty/Staff, $7 Students, and FREE for FSU Students with Registration at least 24 hours prior to the event. Upon entering Seabrook Auditorium, all FSU students will have to display ID to use their free ticket.  

Prior public FSU Dance events have sold out. Public performance tickets can be purchased online by searching "Business of Blackness Seabrook" on eTix.com or by calling 910-672-1724. 

FSU Theatre & Dance does not issue refunds except when we cancel performances. 

For more information about Fayetteville State University Theatre & Dance and upcoming events please visit our website at https://bit.ly/UNCFSUTheatreDance and the FSU Fine Arts Series Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/faystatearts. We look forward to welcoming you! 

TopDog/Underdog 

written by Suzan-Lori Parks 

Directed by David Griffie 

Seabrook Auditorium

Wed. March 29th - 7:30pm

Thursday March 30^th- 7:30pm

Friday March 31^st - 7:30pm

Saturday- April 1 - 7:30pm

Monday- April 3^rd 9:30am (school performances)

Tuesday- April 4^th 9:30am (school performances)

Admission: $10 General Admission | $8 Faculty/Staff/Seniors/Military ID | FREE for FSU students with registration | No children under 13 admitted.

Top Dog/Underdog is a hilarious and deeply challenging Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Suzan-Lori Parks. The FSU production promises to be an enthralling exploration of race, power dynamics and brotherly love.The story follows brothers Lincoln and Booth—names that draw their own parallels—as they navigate the complexities of identity, class and family bonds in a world that pits them against each other. FSU Theatre’s production will bring to life this powerful work with a cast featuring FSU students and is directed by FSU Professor of Theatre, David Griffie. 

Fayetteville State University Theatre & Dance is proud to present Top Dog/Underdog, the 2001 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Suzan-Lori Parks. The FSU production will be directed by Professor of Theatre David Griffie, and promises to be an enthralling exploration of race, power dynamics and brotherly love. 

The story follows brothers Lincoln and Booth—names that draw their own parallels—as they navigate the complexities of identity, class and family bonds in a world that pits them against each other. FSU Theatre’s production will bring to life this powerful work with a cast featuring FSU students. 

This season FSU Theatre is thrilled to provide audiences with the unique opportunity to experience this award-winning play in Fayetteville, NC. FSU Theatre is dedicated to celebrating and elevating Black theatre, a mission that aligns perfectly with Parks’ award-winning work. 

Top Dog/Underdog will run from March 29-April 4 at Fayetteville State University’s Seabrook Auditorium, with very limited seating due to the production's unique thrust (three-sided) staging. Tickets can be purchased online by searching "Top Dog/Underdog Seabrook" on eTix.com or by calling 910-672-1724. Don't miss your chance to experience one of the most acclaimed plays of all time! 

Due to subject matter, the play is recommended for mature audiences. Persons under age 12 will not be admitted. Persons over age 12 must be accompanied by a legal parent/guardian age 21+. 

Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 FSU Faculty/Staff, $7 Students, and FREE for FSU Students with Registration at least 24 hours prior to the event. Upon entering Seabrook Auditorium, all FSU students will have to display ID to use their free ticket. 

Prior public FSU Dance events have sold out. Public performance tickets can be purchased online by searching "Business of Blackness Seabrook" on eTix.com or by calling 910-672-1724. Don't miss your chance to experience one of the most acclaimed plays of all time! 

FSU Theatre & Dance does not issue refunds except when we cancel performances. 

For more information about Fayetteville State University Theatre & Dance and upcoming events please visit our website at https://bit.ly/UNCFSUTheatreDance and the FSU Fine Arts Series Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/faystatearts. We look forward to welcoming you! 

Stage & Screen, Costume/Cosplay/Fashion, Dance, and Education Programs in Theatre

We offer several exciting programs for students interested in stage and screen performance, design, production, directing, musical theatre, playwriting, and much more. Programs include:

• BA in Theatre

• BA in Theatre with a concentration in Media Performance

• BA in Theatre with a concentration in Media Production

• BA in Theatre with a concentration in Costuming/Cosplay

• BA in Theatre with a concentration in Education (non-licensure)

• Minor in Theatre

• Minor in Dance

• Minor in Costuming, Cosplay, & Fashion

What Will You Learn in Our Programs?

Students majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Media Performance will complete intensive course work focused on performance for the screen including film, television, and social media, consisting of acting and voice work, characterization, camera studio work, and short films. ​Part of a general program collaboration between the Theatre and Communications areas​, new approaches seek to update courses using experiences with film, television and stage, to fill the need to expand professional practices in both areas and prepare students for lifelong careers in stage and screen ​performance.

Students majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Media Production will focus on audio, video, lighting, and stage production for film, television, and new media. The concentration looks intently at the crossover in production between theatre, television/film, and social media​, developing skills in a multidisciplinary platform that will broaden training and skill sets in various disciplines preparing them for lifelong careers in stage and screen ​production. 

Both concentrations are collaborations with FSU's Department of Communications and World Languages. 

Students may major in Theatre with a concentration in Costuming and Cosplay, ​developing studio, technical production, and artistic skills necessary to work in a variety of disciplines from traditional stage and screen costuming and props work to fantasy cons, Live Action Role Play, and much more. With classes in makeup, costuming, sculpture, mold making, and opportunities for props and mask work, this concentration will provide students an exciting set of in-demand skills and experiences ​that prepare​s them for worthwhile careers in the field. ​While this concentration is a collaboration with FSU's ​Visual Art program​, it may also be taken independently as a Minor. 

Students majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Education (non-licensure) will blend studies in traditional areas of theatre with ​required courses from FSU's College of Education ​that prepare them for lifelong work with students. Students will have both in-class and out-of-class opportunities to gain practical experience and technical proficiency, including those gained through campus-based theatrical productions and internships with local employers. The program takes a holistic approach toward the study of theatre that embraces relevant areas of review and practice within the disciplines of English, Communications, Education, as well as Theatre. This is a non-licensure concentration, though students will find themselves well prepared for teaching positions via lateral entry, working as Directors of Education for regional theatres and arts organizations, or ​establishing their own studios.

Alternatively, students may pursue general studies in Theatre without one of these concentrations.

Together, these concentrations and studies the FSU Theatre program position students for quality work in their chosen field. Each new offering blends with FSU's strong core of theatre classes and production experiences, ​providing students a broad practical and theoretical background in the theatre. FSU Theatre is proud to have developed students who've gone on to work as professional actors, production professionals, ​writers, and educators. 

What Will You Do with What You Learn in Our Theatre & Media Programs?

With drive, initiative, and ability, a degree, minnor or certificate in our programs prepares you for numerous career choices and possibilities. Practical skills in performance, communication, education, management, design, and production prepare you for careers in:

• Actor Stand-in (film work)
• Theme Park Entertainment
• Comedian/Impersonator
• Stunt Coordinator
• Technical Director
• Scenic Painter
• Costumer/Draper/Dresser
• Sound Board Operator
• Light Board Operator
• Master Electrician
• Master Carpenter
• Production Coordinator
• Producer
• Stage Management
• Arts Marketing
• Stage Hand
• Properties Coordinator
• Choreographer
• Artistic Director
• Arts Entrepreneur
• Dramaturge
• Playwright
• Screenwriter
• Direction
• Conference Production & Management
• Design
• Props production
• Arts Administration
• Politics
• Law
• Technical Theatre & Production Management
• Acting Education & Instruction
• Theatre History
• Theatre/Film Criticism
• Writing Criticism
• Talent Representation (i.e., agents)
• Labor Relations
• Producing Advertising/Marketing
• Radio/TV Voice Work
• Training & Development
• Public Affairs
• Box Office
• Public Relations