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.

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 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.

Examines the art of theatre and performance through the process of design and the implementation of the design.

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.

This course is a study of production dramaturgy: an exploration and application of the processes, research, and resources used by academic and professional theatres, combining knowledge with creativity to make informed production choices.

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

Analysis of representative play scripts to discover how structure and language support conceptual and stylistic choices in production.

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.

Explores basic theories and techniques of acting through exercises, improvisations and scenes from contemporary dramatic literature.

A directed study in acting or performance offered to upper-level students.Prerequisite: 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.

A workshop for writing extended pieces of dramatic literature. For students who have completed DRAM 3710 or by instructor permission.

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.

Independent study conducted under the supervision of a specific instructor(s).

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.

A directed study in dramatic literature, history, theory or criticism offered to upper-level students. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

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 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.

Studies basic techniques for moving the costume design from drawing to finished character, including construction, alteration, patterning, fitting, and accessories. Lab required. Instructor permission.

Art of the Creature fosters creative and critical thinking by requiring students to imagine, research, and build environments and creatures. Students will study the history and methods of creating environments and creatures in theatre, film, and other performance art forms; research and develop their own individual and group creations; and reflect orally and in writing on their work.

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.

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.

Application of sound technology in laboratory production projects. May be repeated up to four credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

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.

Students will explore the sonic qualities of sound and music through discussion, construction, critical listening, and demonstration.

A directed project-based study offered to upper-level students. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

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.

Application of acting skills in production laboratory. May be repeated up to four credits. Prerequisite: Instructor permission

A directed study in playwriting offered to upper-level students. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Application of lighting design and technology in production. May be repeated up to 4 credits.

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.

A directed study in theatre design offered to upper-level students. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

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.

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.

Graduate-level independent study conducted under the supervision of a specific instructor(s). Requisite: Instructor permission