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Welcome to Performing Arts at Southern!
We are delighted you have stopped by to check out the amazing things happening in our department. Whether you are looking to major, minor, or receive a certificate in music and/or theatre – OR simply want to participate in one of our fantastic ensembles and/or productions – Missouri Southern has something for everyone.
Our mission is to serve the University and its community by providing access to music or theatre as a vocation or avocation through education, performance, and technology with the goal of creating performing arts supporters, entrepreneurs, participants, and professionals. We value our place in the Joplin area as a cultural leader, resource, and collaborator with area schools and arts organizations as we seek to both strengthen and broaden the performing arts in the Four-states and beyond.
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our degrees and the variety of performing arts events we have to offer. While here, see the bios of our internationally recognized faculty – we truly have a terrific group of talented, knowledgeable, and fun educators who are interested in helping you reach your performing goals. Also, get to know us by checking out our upcoming performances/productions and recordings of past performances/productions. Finally, if you have the means, please consider giving your time, talent, and resources to help our students, which are amongst the best of the best.
Please don’t hesitate to call on us if we can be of help to you. In the meantime, play/sing/act-on!
David L. Sharlow, PhD
Professor of Music
Chair, Dept. of Performing Arts (Divisions of Music and Theatre)
Director of Choral Activities
sharlow-d@mssu.edu
With concentrations in education, performance, and industry, our degrees and certificates will give you the essential training and experience for a career in the performing arts. No matter what area of specialty you choose, the skills you will learn at Missouri Southern will provide you with the necessary foundation to put you in the workforce immediately or prepare you for further graduate study.
MISSION
The Missouri Southern Department of Performing Arts seeks to serve the University and its community by providing access to music and theatre as a vocation or avocation through education, performance, and technology with the goal of creating performing arts supporters, entrepreneurs, participants, and professionals in music and/or theatre.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Distinctive to Missouri Southern is the ability for all students, regardless of major, to participate in our musical ensembles and theatrical productions while taking private, one-on-one, lessons in music and acting. Students can also participate in more than one performing arts area and aren’t limited to only being in choir, band, or theatre. These opportunities provide for a variety of performance experiences makes MSSU a great place to further your performing arts interests and abilities regardless of your major.
FEATURES OF OUR DEPARTMENT
