C O U R S E  D E S C R I P T I O N S

DRAM 1172    MUSICAL THEATRE
Credit: 1 (1 lecture, 2 lab)
Focus on the study and performance of works from the musical theatre repertory, including musical comedy, reviews, operetta, and basic vocal and movement skills. Theatre attendance and/or assistance in college productions required.

DRAM 1310    INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Basic principles of theatre, including the various styles of theatrical production and present practices in the theatre. Required of majors. Open to non-majors. Core Curriculum Course.

DRAM 1320    PERFORMANCE
Credit: 3 (3 lecture, 3 lab)
This class is devoted to the rehearsal and performance of one or more plays and is designed to give the student experience in applying his performance techniques for an audience.

DRAM 1322    STAGE MOVEMENT
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
A course to develop the actor’s expressive use of the body through pantomime, tumbling, acrobatics, fencing, and stage fighting.

DRAM 1330    BASIC THEATRE PRACTICE I
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
Stagecraft, stage properties, and makeup. Practical experience on technical crews is provided. Laboratory hours may be arranged. Required of majors. Open to non-majors.

DRAM 1341    STAGE MAKEUP
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Principles of straight and character makeup. Student must purchase basic makeup kit. Theatre attendance and/or assistance in college productions required. Required of majors. Open to non-majors.

DRAM 1351    ACTING I
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
An introduction to the problems of internal acting technique, creation of visual images, reaction to stimulus, and creation of inner life of character. Scene work: finding beats, developing subtext, and playing intentions. Theatre attendance and/or assistance in college productions required. Required of majors. Open to non-majors. Core Curriculum Course.

DRAM 1352    ACTING II
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
An introduction to the problems of external acting technique with emphasis on characterization
using animal, color and inanimate object improvisational techniques. Scene work focuses on comedic technique including analyzing incongruities, playing opposites, and timing. Theatre attendance and/or assistance in college productions required. Required of majors. Open to non-majors. Core Curriculum Course.

DRAM 2331    BASIC THEATRE PRACTICE II
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
A continuation of DRAM 1330. Required of majors. Open to non-majors.

DRAM 2336    VOCAL PRODUCTION
Recommended Prerequisite: SPCH 1342
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Emphasis on vocal production: breathing and support, resonance, pitch, range, quality projection. Emphasis on oral interpretation skills. SPCH 1342 recommended.

DRAM 2337    VOICE FOR THE ACTOR I
Prerequisites: SPCH 1342, DRAM 2336, or department approval
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Acting with voice: combining proper production techniques and correct pronunciation and articulation, the actor learns to be expressive vocally. Analysis of the emotional potential of vowel and consonant sounds and combinations. Scansion, phrasing, rhythm and dynamics.

DRAM 2338    VOICE FOR THE ACTOR II
Prerequisites: SPCH 1342 or a demonstrable knowledge of the IPA
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Accents and dialects. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) students learn the alterations from English needed to produce correctly the sounds of most needed foreign accents, including standard British, Cockney, French, German, American New York, and Southerners, among others.

DRAM 2351    ACTING III
Prerequisites: DRAM 1351,1352 or department approval
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
A study of classical acting style with an emphasis on Shakespeare. Special attention is paid to movement and vocal technique dealing with the problems of period movement and heightened language.

DRAM 2361    HISTORY OF THE THEATRE
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Survey of the theatre from its beginning.

DRAM 2366    SURVEY AND HISTORY OF FILM
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Emphasis on the analysis of the visual and aural aspects of selected motion pictures, dramatic aspects of narrative films, and historical growth and sociological effect of film as an art. Core Curriculum Course.

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Last Update: July 17, 2003

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