Catalog of Courses for Drama
This course is designed as an introduction to movement practices for students of all backgrounds and skill levels. Students will work on dynamic alignment, as well as spatial, sensory, and bodily awareness. Through movement prompts, improvisation, and learned combinations students will be challenged to expand movement vocabulary while also increasing range of motion, strength, flexibility, and expressivity.
This course is an introduction to dance in the context of performance on stage, on screen, and in public space. Through viewings, discussions, and practical dance experiences, students will deepen their understanding of how dances are created and how dance shapes and is shaped by the world around it. Students will engage with a wide range of styles, historical periods, and creative approaches to consider how dance matters.
This class provides the opportunity to offer new courses in the subject of Dance at the 1000 level.
In this studio course, students will learn Ballet terminology, movement concepts, and dynamic alignment through an anatomical approach to Ballet technique. Students will work at barre and center while increasing strength, flexibility and body awareness.
In this studio course, students will explore various styles of western modern/contemporary concert dance as technical, expressive practices. Through movement combinations, improvisation, and mini-studies, students will work to deepen body awareness through modern and contemporary movement practices. Working towards efficiency and dynamic alignment, students will increase strength, flexibility, and become more articulate, expressive dancers.
This studio course explores various styles of jazz dance. Combinations will focus on isolation, coordination, juxtaposition and musicality. Styles include but are not limited to contemporary, Broadway/musical theatre and lyrical.
This open-level studio course allows students to explore dance improvisation as a practice of attention, care, and relation. Through improvisational methods and structures, students will develop their skills as improvisers and begin to appreciate improvisation's role in composition (choreography), performance, and daily life.
This course provides students with firsthand experience in the creative practice of choreography and performance while providing exposure to basic production skills. In addition to gaining insight into choreography and performance as modes of critical inquiry, students will also be involved in various aspects of the production and will gain an appreciation of the skills that are required to produce a dance concert.
This class provides the opportunity to offer new courses in the subject of Dance at the 2000 level.
Exploration of Ballet technique for intermediate to advanced students. Students will deepen their knowledge through continued study of terminology, movement concepts, and dynamic alignment while expanding upon their ability to make qualitative choices and enhancing their artistry.
Exploration of western modern/contemporary concert dance practices for intermediate to advanced students. Students will deepen their knowledge of movement concepts, dynamic alignment, and body awareness through combinations, improvisation, partnering, and creative studies. Students will continue to increase their strength, flexibility, and body awareness as they expand upon their ability to make qualitative choices and enhance their artistry.
This studio course explores various styles of jazz dance for intermediate to advanced students. Students will continue to deepen their appreciation of jazz dance forms as they increase movement articulation and specificity. Combinations will focus on isolation, coordination, juxtaposition and musicality while also challenging the students to enhance their expressivity and qualitative choices.
Explores dance making through the investigation of various tools and approaches to movement generation and composition from western choreographic practices. Students will develop their skills as dance makers through movement explorations, readings, discussions, and viewings. Students will create multiple compositional studies to hone their abilities to make dances. Feedback sessions provide opportunities for critical reflection and discussion.
This course aims to deepen students' understanding of dance as a field of artistic and intellectual study. Students will be challenged to examine human movement as a historically situated cultural expression and to explore the relation between dance and various socio-cultural developments. The course will highlight the connection of dance and critical theory, focusing on notions of identity, subjectivity and embodiment.
In this practice-based course, students will reexamine relations to their environment and generate strategies for a new environmental ethics that calls a human-centered world into question. Through reading, conversing, and moving, students consider how somatic and artistic practices might shift ecological understandings. Students will ask questions of and through modes of perception and experiment with an expanding empathy to enact new relations.
This class provides the opportunity to offer new courses in the subject of Dance at the 3000 level.
In-depth investigation of a specific topic in the field of dance at the 3000 level. Topics and content will vary depending upon the instructor's areas of expertise. The course may be repeated for credit in different content areas. Possible topics include: advanced Movement Practices, Somatic Studies, Critical Studies, Creative Research and Scholarship (Choreography, Screendance, Dance and Music or Dance and Media/Technology collaborations), etc.
This course serves as an introduction to the principles and skills involved in the practice of Contact Improvisation. Students will explore and learn improvisational strategies for moving individually, in duets, and groups. With attention focused on responsiveness in the moment, students learn to think quickly and creatively and are encouraged to investigate the territory between familiarity and risk.
This course is designed for students to have the opportunity to learn repertory, experience multiple methods of choreography and gain deeper insight into the practice of dance performance through working with faculty and professional guest artists via the choreographic process.
Investigates the relationship between dancing bodies, cinematography, and video editing. Exploring innovative ways to film movement, we examine the relationship between the moving body and camera. Students gain exposure to various methodologies and practices that can be directly applied to individual projects. We discuss parallels between choreography, cinematography, and video editing, and how these integrate to form the art of Screendance.
Exploration of western modern/contemporary concert dance practices for advanced students. Students will work towards mastery as they continue to deepen their knowledge of movement concepts and body awareness. Through advanced combinations, partnering, improvisation, and studies, students will work to gain greater specificity and clarity as they expand upon their artistry and ability to make qualitative choices through the medium of dance.
Investigates somatic practices and methodologies as embodied research. Through movement practice, readings, and discussions we explore multiple concepts and tools that can deepen embodied practices. This course offers an opportunity to foster awareness, expand individual movement choices, and increase clarity of expression. In so doing, we may broaden our capacity to listen, perceive, and relate to ourselves, one another, and the world around us.
Allows upper level students to pursue advanced creative and/or scholarly research in dance as an independent project. Students can identify their area of focus for in depth investigations including, but not limited to: Choregraphy, Screendance, Performance, Performance Studies, Dance Pedagogy, etc.
Investigates theatre arts and their relation to contemporary culture through the practical and experiential study of plays, production style and the role of theatre artists in creative interpretation.
For non-majors. Acquire and practice voice and speech techniques to build oral communication skills, confidence and enjoyment in public speaking, presentation or performance.
This class will introduce students to the tools, techniques, and problem-solving of building creature puppets. Mentored by professional creature artists, students will explore fabricating skin textures and patterns, structures, material experiments, and mechanisms. Working both individually and collectively, the class will culminate with a wearable creature piece or puppet for the Stan Winston and Steven Warner Festival of the Moving Creature.
New course in the subject of drama.
Examines the art of theatre and performance through the process of design and the implementation of the design.
Explores basic theories and techniques of acting through exercises, improvisations and scenes from contemporary dramatic literature.
Performance is central to understanding Shakespeare. In this course students will learn analysis and performance techniques that they'll use to stage two soliloquies from Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. Students will also watch multiple recording performances and read performance interpretations. Finally, students will combine the learning from their performances and analysis of the plays and with this approach, students will develop a significant and in-depth understanding of the plays.
This course surveys a broad range of theories and methodologies pertinent to the fields of Performance Studies. Each unit addresses important concepts and frameworks that help you write about, think about, and make performance art. Lecture, close reading, application exercises, and writing assignments will strengthen your theoretical vocabularies, hone your analytical writing skills and apply various tests to your own work as scholars/artists.
This practice-based course offers a broad introduction to concepts of the body in the context of performance. Using tools of theatre, dance, improvisation, and other mind/body practice, we will uncover the performative possibilities of our physical forms in relation to space and time. Together we will critically consider and actively explore a range of embodied approaches to increase bodily awareness and expand our expressive capacity.
The purpose of this course is to put principles of speech into practice; students will learn to communicate effectively primarily through practical experience. Students will (1) learn the basic principles of speech preparation and delivery, including invention of topics and arguments, organization, and style; (2) apply these principles to your speech preparation and delivery; and (3) develop and use listening skills in the analysis of speeches.
An introduction to the tools and technical processes of performance lighting. Students will explore a range of lighting technologies central to lighting production for live theatre, dance, opera, and concerts. Through lecture, demonstration, digital media, and hands-on experience, students are prepared for work as theatrical electricians and introduced to the craft essential to the theatrical lighting design process.
Application of lighting design and technology in production. May be repeated up to 4 credits.
Studies the technology and practices used in the theatre and entertainment industry. Covers set construction techniques, materials, and hardware. Students will learn the skills and techniques required for using hand and power tools. Terminology learned in Drama 2210 will be practiced in the course Drama 2230 - Production Studio.
This course explores how to turn everyday spaces into stages. Discover how ordinary rooms, streets, parks, vehicles, and other spaces of daily life can be transformed by story-telling and creative performance! We will study different principles for designing spaces for immersive, site-specific, environmentally aware, and other kinds of performances. Open to all students who are interested in storytelling in different spaces.
Application of scenery technology in producing theatrical productions while maintaining and organized safe work environment. Co-requisite DRAM 2210
Application of scenery and properties technology in laboratory production projects.
Fundamental techniques of scenic painting. A studio class during which students learn to paint faux finishes of marble, wood grain, brick and other common finishes for theatrical application. DRAM 2232 Production Lab: Scene Painting required.
Studies basic techniques for moving the costume design from drawing to finished character, including construction, alteration, patterning, fitting, and accessories. Lab required. Instructor permission.
Application of costume and makeup technology in production laboratory. May be repeated up to four credits. Instructor permission.
This course introduces solo performance practices ranging from performance art to speeches and one-person shows. Students engage with diverse genres to learn tools from physical theater, installation, text, narrative, and digital media. They will create original performances exploring the relationship between the personal and the social, political, and environmental. No prior experience required; class includes a body/food break in its studio format.
Application of performance skills in the production of a theatrical work. Course can be repeated up to four times. Prerequisite: Instructor permission
New course in the subject of drama.
Topics vary by instructor and semester and include directed study in a broad range of topics related to theatre and performance. This course fulfills the major/minor Focused Inquiry requirement.
Students will explore the sonic qualities of sound and music through discussion, construction, critical listening, and demonstration.
Application of sound technology in laboratory production projects. May be repeated up to four credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
An introduction to the art and craft of screenwriting through the writing and discussion of short scripts. Will involve study of screenplays and films, and focus on the basic elements of screenwriting, including story structure, creation of character, and formatting.
DRAM 2830 is a hands-on, experiential course in which students apply digital media design principles, methods, and techniques in correlation with the current Drama production schedule. Students learn the application of media technology to actual theatrical production projects. May be repeated up to four credits. DRAM 2830 requires participation as Video/Media Operator or Assistant for a main stage production.
This is a hands-on course in which students work closely with the instructor to research and develop creative design solutions for performing arts and theatrical productions. It provides students a working forum to collaboratively and independently experiment with and apply principles, methods, and elements of design and design process to specific projects. May be repeated up to four credits.
This course immerses students in the art of dramaturgy through embodied storytelling across theatre, music, dance, film, and multimedia. Students explore the dramaturge's role in shaping creative processes, the impact of storytelling, and strategies for inclusive dialogue in design, rehearsal, and performance contexts. Through critical reading, analysis, and project-based learning, students build skills to support artists and performance-making.
How do theatre artists and scholars navigate the past and its effects on the present? This course will introduce you to important moments in theatre history, and show you how to analyze the formation of historical narratives through a variety of lenses and methods. Units are not organized chronologically, but thematically so that we may draw deeper connections across artistic practice, time, place and culture.
Presents a comprehensive study of 'Black Theatre' as the African-American contribution to the theatre. Explores the historical, cultural, and socio-political underpinnings of this theatre as an artistic form in American and world culture. Students gain a broader understanding of the relationship and contributions of this theatre to theatre arts, business, education, lore, and humanity. A practical theatrical experience is a part of the course offering. Prerequisite: Instructor permission
Analysis of representative play scripts to discover how structure and language support conceptual and stylistic choices in production.
The goal of this class will be to identify the values and worldviews that drive change-oriented artistry, and for students to identify the values and worldviews that drive their own artistry. The course will explore the forms of community-based performance including ensemble, devised, religious, activist, educational and autobiographical performance.
Studies the development of the scenic design as theatrical environment, from script analysis through research to completed scenic design.
Examine the concept of "toxic fashion," exploring the physical, chemical, and ethical dimensions of harm within the global fashion industry. Investigate harmful materials, hazardous production processes, and exploitative labor practices across the fashion supply chain. Analyze the far-reaching impacts of fashion toxicity on human health, workers' rights, and the environment. The course also highlights sustainable innovations and practical strategies for promoting responsible fashion consumption.
Exercises and scene work emphasizing the development of the actor's vocal and physical resources as a means of creating and communicating character, emotion, and relationships. Prerequisite: DRAM 2020 and instructor permission
Introduces principles of vocal health, provides practical techniques for meeting the voice and speech demands of daily life and performance, and promotes life-long exploration of the speaking voice and the spoken word. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
A workshop that explores several dimensions of theatrical self-expression through improvised exercises and situations. This course will employ lecture, discussion and performance activities to raise awareness and proficiency in improvisational techniques through dramatic interaction involving imagination and creativity. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Examines the fundamental skills necessary to effective and descriptive physical expression for the stage. Focuses on developing an individual awaresness of one's physical self and establishing a sold foundation upon which to build a character physically, through practical exericises in balance, rhythm, endurance , freedom of movement, flexibility, shape and expression.
Studies the integration of song into scene work, and examination of special problems posed for the actor/singer/dancer. Focuses on a character's song presentation within the context of a musical play. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
New course in the subject of drama.
A directed study in theater or drama.
Examines specialized approaches for the embodied, intellectual, and imaginative aspects of performance. Emphasis is placed on experiential learning through hands-on activities and immersive experiences. Topics announced in advance. This course fulfills the Major/Minor Focused Inquiry requirement.
Creative application of digital sound editing for media. Techniques investigated include editing pre-recorded music, creating realistic sound environments, representing visual art with sound, three-dimensional sound, and sound creation for video.
Encourages the development of the director's analytical and rehearsal skills in translating text, actors, and space into valid and effective scenes; drawn from plays in the mode of psychological realism. Prerequisite: Dram 2020 required, and Dram 2010 preferred; Instructor permission
What does it mean to produce theater? Is a theater producer an artist, a business leader, a visionary, or all the above? Participants will collaborate to produce a piece of contemporary theater with hands-on application of artistic, leadership and collaborative practices. Course discussions and projects will cover theater organization, mission, and legal structure, as well as collaborative creation, artistry, and design.
One credit is required; may be repeated up to four credits. Application of stage management skills to production and performance. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
You will explore the craft and skills needed to produce and manage live theater and events of all kinds from the lens of stage management and backstage production. From design collaboration through performance this experiential survey of practical theater craft will include discussions, projects and site visits to elevate your understanding of theater and develop professional skills in project management. No experience necessary.
The goal of this workshop is to understand the aesthetics and techniques of film directing and to produce and direct a short film based on a screenplay. Students will study film directing aesthetics and technique, using a textbook, film viewings, critical analysis and class workshop activities. Students will apply this knowledge of directing as they produce and direct their own short film.
Introduces the art and craft of playwriting, focusing on short exercises and in-class writing assignments. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
An introduction to the art and craft of screenwriting through the writing and discussion of short scripts. Will involve study of screenplays and films, and focus on the basic elements of screenwriting, including story structure, creation of character, and formatting.
Combining creative practice and critical discourse, this hands-on course grants students an opportunity to learn and utilize the crafts of digital video design in the context of contemporary installation, projection and performance arts. Students experiment with the many ways of designing time-based media and explore the role of video storytelling in the topography of 21st-century theater and live performance.
This course provides a practical forum to employ and integrate a diverse array of existing and emerging media technologies into live performance and performative storytelling. Students will explore and experiment with new media-infused design approaches to enhance the narrative and to actively engage, communicate, and interact with the audience.
This course examines the serious business of jokes, joke-telling, and laughter through the lens of stand-up comedy's evolution in the United States from the 1920s to the present day. We will explore how stand-up comedians have responded to and shaped pivotal moments in U.S. history and the advent of various mediated forms of entertainment. We will analyze how comedians have challenged, reinforced, and reimagined ideas of American citizenship, and shaped popular entertainment.
This seminar will examine queer performance and its many meanings in the contemporary United States. We will study a wide range of queer-identifying artists and artists with significant queer fan bases. We will also read foundational texts in queer studies and engage in various learning activities, such as writing prompts, group discussion, creative practice, and improvisation.
Hip Hop Theatre explores how elements of Ritual, Theatre, and the core principles of Hip Hop are shared by members of the Hip Hop community around the world. Students will examine the ways in which Hip Hop Theatre presents itself as a movement and a syncretic art form.
Studies the development of lighting design, from script analysis through concept to completed production.
Studies the development of costume design as a revelation of character and relationship to the special world. Proceeds from script analysis through research to the completed rendering. Lab required. Prerequisite: DRAM 2010, or instructor permission.
Combining tools, spaces, and skills of Arts Grounds, this course explores the design and construction of large moving creatures that culminates in The Stan Winston and Steven Warner Festival of the Moving Creature. Students will gain hands-on experience with materials, craft, and prototyping, and learn lessons from professional designers, artists, and Hollywood creature makers. This is a collaborative course, diving into storytelling and movement to bring each student's vision to life.
Scripted scenes, exercises, and ensemble work to expand the actor's approach to characterization and interpretation within various dramatic genres. Prerequisite: DRAM 3410 and instructor permission
Examines the art and craft of stage fighting, comparing its historical context with that of the theater. Focus is on the performance of the illusion of physical aggression and its dramatic intent, following the safety guidelines and techniques recommended by the Society for American Fight Directors. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
New course in the subject of drama.
A directed project-based study offered to upper-level students. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
A directed study in theatre management offered to upper-level students. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Continues the work of DRAM 3651 with special attention to the director's organization, scheduling, and efficient use of resources. Students direct a one-act play. Prerequisite: DRAM 3651 and instructor permission.
A workshop for writing extended pieces of dramatic literature. For students who have completed DRAM 3710 or by instructor permission.
The goal of this workshop is to write and prepare a short screenplay to be filmed in the Spring Semester in conjunction with DRAM 4760 Directing the Short Film (students must commit to both classes). Students will study script structure using textbooks, screenplays, and film. Students will apply this knowledge of screenplay structure and form as they write their own scenes and short screenplays.
The goal of this workshop is to understand the aesthetics and techniques of film directing and to produce and direct a short film based on the screenplay written in the previous fall Semester in DRAM 4750 Writing the Short Film.
Students will produce short films generated by the Department of Drama's Filmmaking classes, Writing the Short Film and Directing the Short Film. Each producer will be paired with a director and work closely with them on casting, scheduling, procuring locations and film gear, on set management, editing support, and budgeting.
Independent study conducted under the supervision of a specific instructor(s).
New course in the subject of drama.
A workshop that allows experienced playwrights to create longer and more complex plays. Students are required to create and revise plays ranging from long one-acts to full-length plays.
Intensive study in a specific topic offered to graduate students.
New course in the subject of drama.
Faculty-guided study in an area of sound design or technology not covered in the established curriculum. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program and instructor permission.
Graduate-level independent study conducted under the supervision of a specific instructor(s). Requisite: Instructor permission
Examines the art and craft of stage fighting, comparing its historical context with that of the theater. Focus is on the practical performance of the illusion of physical aggression and its dramatic intent, following the safety guidelines and techniques recommended by the Society for American Fight Directors. Prerequisite: Graduate standing MFA program.
Focuses on making informed performance choices in period plays based on aspects of structures such as: dramatic text, historical period, culture and society, and production concepts. Prerequisite: Graduate standing MFA program.
Intensive study in a specific topic offered to graduate students.
New Course in the Subject of Drama.
Graduate-level independent study conducted under the supervision of a specific instructor(s). Requisite: Instructor permission
Preparation of a written thesis that corresponds to the performance, direction, or design of a production. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.
A guided study which gives students the opportunity to explore with a faculty member areas of lighting design and/or technology which are not contained in the established curriculum. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
A faculty guided study in an area of advanced acting not covered in the established curriculum. Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program
Studies the dialects most commonly employed in theatre. Methodology includes practice with taped dialects, interviews with authentic dialect speakers, phonetic representation, and research into specific cultural aspects influencing structural formation and sound. Prerequisite: Graduate standing MFA program.
Audition techniques and practice are examined, as is a wide-ranging repertoire of audition materials. Prerequisite: DRAM 7450, 7460, 8450, 8460.
Participation in the production program, crediting work in preparation and performance of acting. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.
Intensive study in a specific topic offered to graduate students.
New course in the subject of drama.
Participation in the production program, crediting work in preparation and performance of scenic elements. Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.