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.

This course examines how has 20th and 21st century comedic performance spawned and/or reflected movements of social and cultural protest in the United States. From Jackie "Moms" Mabley's Civil Rights stand-up, to feminist sketches on SNL, to Hari Kondabolu's employment of de-colonial humor, we will engage in the complexities of joke-telling and its potential for mobilizing change.

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.

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.