The sky is the limit for Augustana theatre students! Choose from a variety of courses, productions and experiential learning experiences.
We are a company of artists dedicated to exploring, expanding and promoting theatre for a lifetime of participation and appreciation.
We are a community-centered organization with a tradition of student collaboration, leadership and input. We are dedicated to exploring and promoting the Augustana values of excellence, community and service within a Christian liberal arts setting. We foster personal growth and work to embody excellence in our creative activity, through our artistic practice, and through service to our community.
If you want opportunities, you get them here. Nearly anything theatrical that you want to learn or do at Augustana Theatre, you can, including:
- A 4-show season featuring a variety of productions, including one musical
- New play development festivals
- Improvisation performances
- Professional guest artist performances
- Augustana Collaborative Theatrical Society (ACTS) which presents student-run productions
- Affordability and value
- Pro Dramatis Scholarships and application
- Merit-based scholarships for returning students
- Work-study and shop staff positions
- You’re not limited to one major. Augustana theatre students can double major in biology, education, psychology, English, math — any combination imaginable! View a list of the courses we offer.
- Experiential learning
- Trips to see professional theatre in Chicago, Minneapolis and New York City
- Collaborations with the Augustana School of Music
- Connections to professional theaters in the area
- Study-abroad experiences
- All are welcome. Our productions, classes and activities are open to all students, regardless of major, class rank or prior experience. Join our community!
Theatre students form the heart of the Augustana Theatre Company — a community of faculty and students from all majors who regularly gather together to create excellent theatre and to celebrate their love of the arts.
Company Call: A weekly gathering of our campus’ theatre artists to collectively aid in the creation of production elements including scenery, properties, costumes, lighting, sound, marketing and much more.
Leadership positions: Are you a leader? There are many opportunities to share your strengths and shape the future of theatre!
Service: The National Theatre Honor Society, Alpha Psi Omega, is based around the three pillars of service, education and community.
Build your skills in every aspect of theatre: Students learn acting, directing, design, production, stage management and more to graduate as well-rounded theatre artists prepared for a wide array of careers!
Design opportunities: Faculty mentors work with students to collaborate with a production team and bring their designs to the stage.
Cindy Bakke
Instructor, Theatre
605.274.5348
Cindy.Bakke@augie.edu
Cindy Bakke is the costume shop supervisor for AU theatre and is the instructor for the beginning costuming and makeup class. Cindy earned her B.S. in English and History from the University of South Dakota.
In her theatrical career, Cindy has designed and built costumes for many area theaters, including Brandon Valley High School, the University of Sioux Falls, the Mighty Corson Art Players, Olde Towne Dinner Theatre, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, DAPA/Washington Pavilion, the former Sioux Falls Community Playhouse and the Sioux Empire Community Theatre.
Jacee C
asarella
Instructor, Theatre
605.274.5535
jacee.casarella@augie.edu
Jacee Casarella, instructor and technical director for theatre, has an MFA in scenic design from Wayne State University. Her undergraduate work in theatre was obtained at South Dakota State University.
Casarella has had extensive experience in scene design and technical theatre through her work at the South Bend (IN) Civic Theatre where she produced an average of five to eight productions each year, in addition to being the theatre's production manager and charge artist. More recently, Casarella worked as paint charge at the Des Moines Metro Opera Company, and as an adjunct professor at the University of Sioux Falls. She also was the business manager and technical director for Washington High School theatre in Sioux Falls.
Assistant Professor, Theatre
605.274.5219
jayna.fitzsimmons@augie.edu
Jayna Fitzsimmons is an assistant professor in the theatre department, where she teaches theatre history, acting, improvisation, playwriting and introduction to theatre. Fitzsimmons is the artistic director of Bare Bodkins, a professional Sioux Falls based Shakespeare company.
Recently, Fitzsimmons has worked artistically with Southwest Minnesota State University Theatre, Sioux Falls Home School Association and Accidental Genius Productions. She also teaches Shakespeare classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Fitzsimmons has a B.A. in theatre arts from Southwest Minnesota State University, and an M.A. in theatre (emphases in acting, directing, theatre history and Elizabethan and Jacobean drama) from the University of South Dakota.
Chair and Assistant Professor, Theatre
Phone: 605.274.5065
daniel.workman@augie.edu
Dan Workman is the chair of the Department of Theatre, where he teaches directing, acting, script analysis and introduction to theatre. Workman is also the artistic director of the Black Hills Playhouse, a professional summer-stock theatre in Custer State Park.
Workman has a B.F.A. in theatre performance from Tarkio College, and an M.F.A. in theatre direction from the University of South Dakota. He has taught at Morningside College and the University of South Dakota.
Because theatre is, in part, a study of the world we live in, our students are encouraged to explore Augustana’s study abroad opportunities and other off-campus study programs. The length of study can range from a month to a semester to an academic year.
In addition, our students regularly travel to theater centers and festivals around the country, including the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Faculty routinely lead international trips during the January interim term.
Sioux Falls itself is a major cultural center for South Dakota, and we have strong relationships with area theaters. The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science downtown draws national touring productions from Broadway and has an active educational exchange with Augustana. Students have also participated as interns or company members with:
- The Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, MN
- The Black Hills Playhouse, South Dakota
- Bare Bodkins Theatre, Sioux Falls
- Dakota Players, South Dakota
- Dakota Academy of Performing Arts (DAPA), Sioux Falls
- Sioux Empire Community Theatre, Sioux Falls
- Good Night Theatre Collective, Sioux Falls
- Monstrous Little Theatre, Sioux Falls
- The Worthing Dinner Theatre, Worthing, SD
- The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science, Sioux Falls
- The Mighty Corson Art Players, Corson, SD
- The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra
The Pro Dramatis Scholarship is awarded in amount ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per year to incoming students who demonstrate talent in theater based on an audition or portfolio submission. Students of any major are eligible to apply.
Learn more about the Pro Dramatis scholarships.The Augustana Theatre Company showcases student talent in a variety of theatrical productions each year — one of which is always a musical.
Upcoming Shows and Tickets