Student Perspectives: Taking Full Advantage of USC as an Arts Student
Hello! My name is Pragya Bhatt and I’m currently a second-year student at USC, double majoring in Cognitive Science and Communication. What some people might not know is that during my first year at USC, I spent most of my time walking the halls of the Dramatic Arts building, reserving SDA practice rooms and belting my heart out. I originally came to USC as a Theater major with an emphasis in Musical Theater. That year taught me so much—not only about performance, but also about how to make the most of USC as an arts major. Now, as a Theater minor, I’ve carried those lessons with me and continue to adapt them to fit my evolving journey.
1. Once an Artist, Always an Artist
Switching majors didn’t mean stepping away from the arts; in fact, USC makes it incredibly easy to stay involved no matter what you’re studying. I’ve stayed connected through Independent Student Productions (ISPs), which are student-run theater groups producing everything from full-scale musicals to original plays and sketch comedy. Some of my favorites include Musical Theatre Repertory, Brand New Theatre, Impulse Theatre Company, Modern Minority Theatre Company, Dorothy’s Friends and the Black Art Collective, along with comedy groups like Second Nature Improv, The Merry Men and The Suspenders.
Outside of performing, I make a point to attend as many arts events as I can—SDA shows, Thornton recitals, Kaufman showcases, etc. There’s always something happening! When you're involved in the arts at USC, you end up knowing someone in almost every show—which makes watching them even more fulfilling. There's something really special about seeing people you care about doing what they love. From watching my roommate Allison lead the cast in the SDA mainstage production Machinal, to seeing my friend Josh captivate audiences as he conducts his own compositions, to watching my friend Hope light up the stage as she performed at the Kaufman Elective Experience showcase, making the most of your time at USC often means celebrating the incredible talent all around you. USC is full of spaces where creative energy overlaps. And, being in the middle of that—whether on stage, on set or in the audience—is one of my favorite parts of being here.
2. The City Is Our Stage
One of the best parts of being an arts student at USC is getting to live in one of the most culturally rich cities in the world. From catching Hamilton and Wicked at the Pantages Theatre to watching the LA Opera and LA Ballet perform at iconic venues downtown, there’s always something exciting happening just beyond campus. My friend Monty even got complimentary tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and I’ve had my fair share of spontaneous concert nights and museum days at LACMA and The Broad. Whether you're a theater kid, a music nerd or just someone who loves to be inspired, LA is your playground.
The best part? USC doesn’t just sit in the middle of this culture. It’s connected to it! My friends in Thornton regularly perform in concert halls across the city, collaborate with independent artists and even land gigs through professors who are active in the music industry. Kaufman dancers showcase new choreography at local events and dance alongside some of the most iconic performers you can think of. And for those of us in SDA, it’s not common to watch friends star in a mainstage show one weekend and then see them perform in a professional production downtown the next. Living in LA as an arts student means constantly being surrounded by creativity, and learning to see the city itself as part of your education.
3. Big School, Big Opportunities
While the arts community at USC is incredibly tight-knit, being part of a large university comes with its own set of major advantages. You still get the excitement of game days, the support of the Trojan alumni network and access to university-wide resources that go far beyond any single school. It’s easy, and encouraged, to explore interests across disciplines. My friend Natalie, a theater major, took a psych statistics class just for the challenge. Ellie, a ceramics major, is currently in macroeconomics and loves it. Josh, a music student, somehow balances composing with a minor in environmental science. And Adam is double majoring in real estate and musical theater—a combination that sounds wild on paper but makes total sense when you hear him talk about it. And this applies to student organizations as well! Although it has nothing to do with my major or minor, I’m a passionate member of the International Relations Society on campus. These opportunities have broadened our college experiences and made us more well-rounded, as students, artists and people. USC makes it genuinely possible to explore all sides of yourself and your multitude of passions, and that flexibility has allowed me to grow creatively, intellectually and professionally in ways I never expected.
4. Learning from the best
One of the biggest perks of being an arts student at USC is that your professors aren’t just academics; they’re professionals actively working in the industry. When I took Theater 101, it was taught by Jenni Barber, whose stage credits include Wicked, Urinetown, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and more. My friend Elena, a Thornton student, took a music law class with Jane Davidson, an entertainment lawyer, who was on the legal team that helped #FreeBritney. It’s not just about name-dropping; having access to people who’ve actually done what you’re aspiring to do makes everything more tangible. My friend Ellie, who has a screenwriting minor, got to visit a live taping of the show Bob Hearts Abishola with her acting professor Bayo Akinfemi. She even got to meet the cast and explore the set. SDA also offers professional headshots, a self-tape studio and one-on-one meetings with casting director Debi Manwiller. In Ellie’s screenwriting class, her professor, Lee Edward Colston II, brought in actors, writers and directors to read his students’ scripts out loud and give feedback. On the music side, a friend of mine at Thornton got to perform under Jacob Collier for the west coast premiere of his choral piece ‘World O World’, and now has a mentorship with Ray Chew, a music director whose resume includes Dancing with the Stars. It’s one thing to learn theory. It’s another to be taught by the people shaping the industry you’re hoping to enter.
5. Forging Your Own Path
USC is a school where your artistic journey doesn’t have to follow a straight line. I came in as a theater major and found myself exploring communication, cognitive science, student orgs, improv shows, LA theaters and even international relations clubs. Whether you’re standing in the spotlight or cheering from the audience, composing a score or coding a website, there’s room to pursue everything that intrigues you. The beauty of being an arts student here is that you’re constantly surrounded by people creating, collaborating and pushing boundaries. You learn just as much from the people around you as you do from your professors. You learn to dream big because everyone around you is dreaming big too. And, at USC, those dreams don’t just stay dreams. They become a reality. That’s the magic of being an artist here. You don’t just find your voice. You realize it’s always been yours; you just learn to harness it.