For major requirements, see the School of Fine Arts section of this Catalog.
101. Introduction to the Theatre
Either semester. Three credits.
Analysis of the functions of the theatre artists and their contributions to the modern theatre.
107. Theatre Production Studio
Either semester. Two credits. Two 2-hour studio periods. May be repeated to a maximum of eight credits. Franklin, McCaw
Elements of costume, lighting, management and stagecraft with application to departmental productions.
108. Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Either semester. Three credits. Saternow
Introduction to theories of theatrical design and their application.
110. Introduction to Film
Either semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period.
A basic study of film as both a means of communication and as an art form.
120. Production of the Speaking Voice
Either semester. Three credits. Stern
Study and practice in the development of an expressive, injury-free
speaking voice capable of filling most performance spaces without amplification.
Students concentrate on breathing technique, throat relaxation, resonance
enhancement, and the use of variety in pitch and speaking rate. The course
also
integrates these technical voice skills with the principles of the
inner acting process.
130. History of Drama I
First semester. Three credits. Not open for credit to students who have passed DRAM 180. McDermott
Dramatic literature and theatre history from Classical Greece through the Spanish Golden Age, including an examination of non-western theatre traditions, especially Japanese.
131. History of Drama II
Second semester. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 130. Not open for credit to students who have passed DRAM 181. McDermott, Molette
Dramatic literature and theatre history from the French Renaissance to Contemporary Theatre, including an examination of non-western theatre traditions, especially Chinese.
141. Oral Interpretation
Either semester. Three credits. Krasser
An intensive study of background and thought content of literary material and the development of techniques of oral interpretation.
143-144. Introduction to Acting
Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Concurrent enrollment in DRAM 149-150 required for all acting majors.
First semester: Basic acting techniques, including improvisation and the use of the stage environment. Second semester: continuation of basic techniques with emphasis on the presentation of scenes from contemporary plays.
149. Introduction to Movement for the Actor I
First semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Sabatine
Conditioning the body to increase stretch, strength, flexibility, and sensitivity. Exploration of movement concepts in space, time and energy values, and mind body and environment relationships.
150. Introduction to Movement for the Actor II
Second semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Sabatine
Continuation of Dramatic Arts 149. Emphasis on the organization of movement expression using essence theory of emotion, intentions, gestures and physical characterization through movement.
153. Theatre Jazz Dance I
Either semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods.
Basic techniques, styles, and composition of jazz dance. Emphasis placed on technique.
154. Theatre Jazz Dance II
Either semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Required preparation: DRAM 153.
Continuation of Dramatic Arts 153.
163-164. Introduction to Directing
Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Required preparation: DRAM 143.
First semester: Emphasis on theory and play analysis from the director's point of view. Second semester: Emphasis on practical staging experience, including casting techniques and rehearsal and performance methods.
180. Masterpieces of the Drama: Aeschylus to Shakespeare
Either semester. Three credits. Krasser
A study of masterpieces of Greek, Roman and Elizabethan drama with emphasis on analysis of form and content and attention to staging conventions.
Either semester. Three credits. McDonald
A study of masterpieces of French 17th Century; English Restoration and 18th Century; European, English, and Japanese 19th Century; and European, English, African, and American 20th Century drama. Emphasis on analysis of form and content and attention to staging conventions.
181W. Masterpieces of the Drama: Molière to the Present
Prerequisite: ENGL 105; required preparation: ENGL 109, which may be taken concurrently.
191. Performance Techniques in Ethnic Arts
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit with a change in course content. Open only with consent of instructor.
Performance study and practice in selected areas of ethnic and minority dramatic arts. Topics to be alternated may include Afro-American dance, Black Heritage theatre, Indian dance.
200. Scene Construction
First semester. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 107 (Stagecraft). McCaw
Basic techniques of constructing two dimensional and three dimensional scenery.
201. Rigging
Second semester. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 107 (Stagecraft). McCaw
Rigging systems and the basic techniques for flying scenery, with an emphasis on rigging safety.
203. Stage Management for the Theatre
Either semester. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 107, 108, 143, 163 and consent of instructor. McCaw
A study of the roles of the stage manager and assistant stage manager.
205. Scenographic Techniques for the Theatre
Either semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. Required preparation: DRAM 107 (Stagecraft), 108, and consent of instructor. McCaw
A laboratory course for designers and technicians in the techniques of preparing a scene design for production in a shop. Drafting techniques, sheet layout, conventions and symbols are stressed.
206. CAD for the Theatre
Either semester. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. Required preparation: DRAM 205 and consent of instructor.
Computer Aided Drafting techniques for theatrical applications. Use of design software for creating various 2-D plans, including light plots, set designs and technical shop drawings.
207C-208. Lighting for the Theatre
Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Required preparation: DRAM 107 (Lighting), 108. Franklin
209 Principles of Design and Rendering
Either semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour studio period. Required preparation: Dram 108 or consent of instructor. Crow
Composition and color theory for designers as well as an exploration of graphic techniques in mixed media for expression of design ideas.
211-212. Scene Design
Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Required preparation: DRAM 108 and consent of instructor. Saternow
213. Costume History
Either semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour studio period. Crow
A slide survey class covering the origins and development of dress to the present day. Specifically African, Middle Eastern, an Euro-Centric dress, along with the societies and manners which created fashion.
214. Costume History and Design
Either semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour studio period. Recommended preparation: DRAM 108 or consent of instructor. Crow
An introductory class centering on the designer's approach to the text, the creation of the designed look for the characters in the play, and the process of how to realize the costumes.
215. Sound for the Theatre
Either semester. Three credits.
Art of sound design for the theatre. Organizing and creating sound for production.
218C. Computer Rendering
Either semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour studio period. Required preparation: DRAM 108 or consent of instructor. Crow
Computer rendering for the theatre in 2-D and 3-D format.
219. Advertising, Publicity, and Promotion in the Dramatic Arts
Either semester. Three credits. Open only with consent of instructor.
An introduction to the basic techniques of advertising copy, news releases, and feature stories.
220. Voice and Diction I
First semester. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 120 and concurrent enrollment in DRAM 268. Stern
Study and practice in the continued development of breathing, phonation and resonance skills, with added attention being paid to non-regional pronunciation (including the standard sounds and symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet), articulation (of colloquial and classical diction styles), and phrasing.
222. Voice and Diction II
Required preparation: DRAM 220 and concurrent enrollment in DRAM 269. Stern
Continued exploration of voice production and elevated diction skills required for acting in classical and period styles. Particular attention is given to textual analysis, verse performance, and the specialized voice techniques required for highly emotional scenes.
226. Creative Dramatics
Either semester. Three credits. Offered at the Avery Point Campus. Janney
Principles and procedures of dramatic play, characterization and improvisation. Participation in program development for elementary and secondary school children.
230. Women in Theatre
Either semester. Three credits. Open to sophomores. McDermott
A study of theatre examining the changing depiction of women in drama and the increasing participation of women in all areas of theatrical activity. Women's advancement in western and oriental theatre will be surveyed as a background for focusing on plays written in the 20th century.
230W. Women in Theatre
231. African-American Theatre
Either semester. Three credits. Open to sophomores. Molette
The significant developments in African American theatre and its antecedents and an examina-tion of selected play scripts that exemplify those developments.
231W. African-American Theatre
235. Period Studies in Theatre
Either or both semesters. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 131 or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with change in course content.
An in-depth examination of a major period or periods of theatre history and dramatic literature. Topics will vary.
235W. Period Studies in Theatre
238. Theatre Jazz Dance III
Second semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Required preparation: DRAM 154 and consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with a change in course content to a maximum of 9 credits. Sabatine
Further work in techniques and styles of jazz dance. Projects in jazz choreography.
239. Theatre Dance I
First semester. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 149, 150 and consent of instructor. Sabatine
Stage movement and dances from Greek to Renaissance.
240. Theatre Dance II
Second semester. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 149, 150, 239 and consent of instructor. Sabatine
Stage movement and dances from the Renaissance through the Restoration.
241. Oral Interpretation of the Drama
Second semester. Three credits. Required preparation: DRAM 141, 143. Krasser
242. Stage Make-Up
Either semester. Two credits. One class period and one 2-hour laboratory period. Open only with consent of instructor.
243. Acting Technique I
First semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Open only with consent of instructor. Open to sophomores. Hill
Voices of naturalism and realism: the study and practice of techniques utilized in the performance of modern realists.
244. Acting Technique II
Second semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Required preparation: DRAM 243 and consent of instructor. Open to sophomores. McDonald
A continuation of the study and practice of techniques utilized in the performance of modern realists.
247-248. Puppetry
Both semesters. Three credits each semester. May be repeated for credit with change in course content to a maximum of 12 credits. Required preparation: DRAM 108 or consent of instructor. Open to sophomores. Roccoberton
First semester: Rod puppetry or Shadow theatre.
Second semester: Hand puppetry or Mask theatre. Topics to alternate on a two-year rotation.
249. Acting for the Media
Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. Krasser
250. Musical Theatre Dance
First semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Required preparation: DRAM 154 or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with a change in course content to a maximum of 6 credits. Sabatine
Tap, free style, folk and social dance forms used in musical theatre. Integration of dance with song.
251. The American Film
First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. May be repeated for credit with a change in course content to a maximum of 6 credits.
A critical analysis of the American fiction film.
252. World Film
Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. May be repeated for credit with a change in course content to a maximum of 6 credits.
A critical analysis of representative world films.
257. Fundamentals of Television I
First semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. Open only with consent of instructor.
258. Fundamentals of Television II
Second semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. Required preparation: DRAM 257 and consent of instructor.
259. Practicum in Dramatic Arts
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. Open to sophomores.
Practical work in all areas of dramatic arts.
265. Stage Dialects
Either semester. Two credits. One class period and one 2-hour lab. Required preparation: DRAM 220 or consent of instructor. Stern
The study and practice of those dialects and accents most frequently required by American actors. Contents include, but are not limited to, Standard British, and a range of New York City and American Southern patterns.
268. Acting Technique III
First semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Required preparation: DRAM 244 and consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in DRAM 220 and DRAM 239 required. Krasser, McDonald
Poetic voices of world theatre: Greek, Elizabethan, and others.
269. Acting Technique IV
(Formerly offered as DRAM 267.) Second semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Required preparation: DRAM 268 and consent of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in DRAM 222 and DRAM 240 required. Krasser, McDonald
The study and practice of acting techniques utilized in the performance of Shakespeare's plays.
272. Playwriting
(Formerly offered as DRAM 270-271.) Either or both semesters. Three credits. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with a change in course content to a maximum of 9 credits. McDermott
The analysis of the basic techniques in playwriting, and the reading and criticism of the students' works in progress. Scripts of outstanding merit may be produced in the Studio or Mobius Theatres.
274-275. Film Writing
Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Open only with consent of instructor.
Theoretical and practical work in the content and form of the fiction scenario.
276. Acting Technique V
First semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Required preparation: DRAM 269 and consent of instructor.
The study and practice of acting techniques utilized in a range of comic styles.
277. Acting Technique VI
Second semester. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. Required preparation: DRAM 276 and consent of instructor.
The study and practice of acting techniques utilized in the performance of modern non-realists.
278. Advanced Puppetry Techniques I
First semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. May be repeated for credit with change in course content to a maximum of six credits. Required preparation: DRAM 248 or consent of instructor. Roccoberton
Laboratory practice in advanced production techniques or paper sculpture for the puppet theatre.
279. Advanced Puppetry Techniques II
Second semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods. May be repeated for credit with change in course content to a maximum of six credits. Required preparation: DRAM 248 or consent of instructor. Roccoberton
Advanced puppetry production techniques for television or laboratory practice in materials techniques.
282. Trends in Contemporary Theatre
Either semester. Three credits. Open to sophomores.
A study of the major trends in drama and theatrical production of the western world today.
282W. Trends in Contemporary Theatre
285. Trends in the Contemporary Puppet Theatre
Either semester. Three credits. Additional project required for graduate credit. Roccoberton
A study of the major trends in drama, design styles and production of the puppet theatre in the western world today.
289. Theatre Administration and Organization
Either semester. Three credits.
A survey of the organizational structure of the theatre in the United States, including community, university and regional theatres, and "on," "off," and "off-off" Broadway. Personnel, budgeting, unions and audience development will be covered.
291. Performance Techniques
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with a change in course content.
Performance study and practice in selected areas of dramatic arts.
293. Foreign Study
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department head required, normally to be granted prior to the student's departure. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor.
Coursework undertaken within approved Study Abroad programs, with a focus on the theatre history, dramatic literature and production in a particular country or region.
295. Environmental Theatre
Either or both semesters. Three credits. Three 2-hour studio periods. May be repeated for credit. Open only with consent of instructor. Not offered in 1999/00.
An analysis of New Theatre concepts throughout the twentieth century, with workshops in performance.
298. Seminar
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
Studies in selected areas of dramatic arts. Topics to be alternated.
299. Independent Study
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
A reading or project course under the direction of an appropriate staff member.