Drama Courses

DRA 111 Theatre Appreciation

This course provides a study of the art, craft, and business of the theatre. Emphasis is placed on the audience’s appreciation of the work of the playwright, director, actor, designer, producer, and critic.

DRA 120 Voice for Performance

This course provides guided practice in the proper production of speech for the theatre. Emphasis is placed on improving speech, including breathing, articulation, pronunciation, and other vocal variables.

DRA 122 Oral Interpretation

This course introduces the dramatistic study of literature through performance. Emphasis is placed on analysis and performance of poetry, drama, and prose fiction.

DRA 126 Storytelling

This course introduces the art of storytelling and the oral traditions of folk literature. Topics include the history of storytelling, its value and purpose, techniques of the storyteller, and methods of collecting verbal art.

DRA 128 Children’s Theatre

This course introduces the philosophy and practice involved in producing plays for young audiences. Topics include the selection of age-appropriate scripts and the special demands placed on directors, actors, designers, and educators in meeting the needs of young audiences.

DRA 130 Acting I

This course provides an applied study of the actor’s craft. Topics include role analysis, training the voice, and body concentration, discipline, and self-evaluation.

DRA 131 Acting II

This course provides additional hands-on practice in the actor’s craft. Emphasis is placed on further analysis, characterization, growth, and training for acting competence.

DRA 135 Acting for the Camera I

This course provides an applied study of the camera actor’s craft. Topics include commercial, dramatic, and print performance styles.

DRA 136 Acting for the Camera II

This course provides additional hands-on study of the camera actor’s craft. Emphasis is placed on more advanced camera acting theories, auditioning techniques, daytime drama, feature film, and print advertisement performance styles.

DRA 140 Stagecraft I

This course introduces the theory and basic construction of stage scenery and properties. Topics include stage carpentry, scene painting, stage electrics, properties, and backstage organization.

DRA 141 Stagecraft II

This course provides additional hands-on practice in the elements of stagecraft. Emphasis is placed on the design and implementation of the arts and crafts of technical theatre.

DRA 142 Costuming

This course covers the techniques of costume construction and crafts processes. Emphasis is placed on learning costuming techniques, using equipment and materials, and finishing production-appropriate costumes.

DRA 145 Stage Make-up

This course covers the research, design, selection of materials, and application of stage make-up, prosthetics, wigs, and hairpieces. Emphasis is placed on the development of techniques, style, and presentation of the finished make-up.

DRA 147 Sound Technology

This course provides an introduction to the analysis of sound equipment technology and its operation and uses on stage. Emphasis is placed on assessing sound needs and on installing, running, and maintaining equipment.

DRA 170 Play Production I

This course provides an applied laboratory study of the processes involved in the production of a play. Topics include fundamental practices, principles, and techniques associated with producing plays of various periods and styles.

DRA 171 Play Production II

This course provides an applied laboratory study of the processes involved in the production of a play. Topics include fundamental practices, principles, and techniques associated with producing plays of various periods and styles.

DRA 175 Teleplay Production I

This course provides an applied laboratory study of the processes involved in production of a dramatic television program. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental practices, principles, and techniques associated with producing dramatic television programming.

DRA 176 Teleplay Production II

This course provides an applied laboratory study of the processes involved in production of a sit-com television program. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental practices, principles, and techniques associated with producing sit-com television programming.

DRA 211 Theatre History I

This course covers the development of theatre from its origin to the closing of the British theatre in 1642. Topics include the history, aesthetics, and representative dramatic literature of the period.

DRA 212 Theatre History II

This course covers the development of theatre from 1660 through the diverse influences which shaped the theatre of the twentieth century. Topics include the history, aesthetics, and representative dramatic literature of the period.

DRA 230 Acting III

This course is designed to include an exploration of acting styles. Emphasis is placed on putting the actor’s skills to work in a major theatrical form-musical, comedy, or drama.

DRA 231 Acting IV

This course is designed to include further exploration of acting styles. Emphasis is placed on putting the actor’s skills to work in a major theatrical form-musical, comedy, or drama.

DRA 240 Lighting for the Theatre

This course is an applied study of theatre lighting and is designed to train theatre technicians. Emphasis is placed on lighting technology including the mechanics of lighting and light control equipment by practical work with lighting equipment.

DRA 260 Directing

This course provides an analysis and application of the techniques of theatrical directing. Topics include script selection, analysis, casting, rehearsal planning, blocking, stage business, tempo, and technical considerations.

DRA 270 Play Production III

This course provides an applied laboratory study of the processes involved in the production of a play. Topics include fundamental practices, principles, and techniques associated with producing plays of various periods and styles.

DRA 271 Play Production IV

This course provides an applied laboratory study of the processes involved in the production of a play. Topics include fundamental practices, principles, and techniques associated with producing plays of various periods and styles.

DRA 275 Teleplay Production III

This course provides an applied laboratory study of the processes involved in production of an action television program.

DRA 276 Teleplay Production IV

This course provides an applied laboratory study of the processes involved in production of a variety television program.