Department of Dramatic Art (GRAD)

As image makers, the work we do has a powerful and lasting impact on perception. When writing beyond ourselves and our experience, special care must be given the development of characters and exploration of the world of the play. This class explores the impact of social identity on playwriting and how we can use the power of storytelling to reflect a greater vision for humanity.

Permission of the department. A study of the basic principles and practices of modern stage management.

The study of general principles of sound design for the theatre. Theory and application of sound design techniques for the stage, including script analysis, staging concepts, special effects, sound plots, and technology.

Permission of the instructor. General principles of visual design as applied to scenery for the theatre. Instruction in standard techniques of planning and rendering scene design.

Permission of the instructor. Studies and practicum in play analysis and costume design for the theatre. Instruction in techniques of planning and rendering costume design.

Permission of the instructor. General principles of lighting design as applied to the performing arts. Theory and instruction in standard techniques of lighting for the stage.

A survey of historic costume forms from ancient Egypt to the present time. Honors version available.

This seminar seeks to introduce students to the principles of arts criticism through study of the work of a variety of different critics, by distinguishing between the nature of criticism and reviewing the arts, and through the students' own practice of critical writing.

This course explores the historical and aesthetic development of Latin American theatre, focusing on particular factors that distinguish this theatre from the Western European tradition.

Investigation of United States Latino/a theatre texts and performance practices as a discreet genre. United States Latino/a theatre will be distinguished from the dominant culture, and the diversity of forms and styles will be discussed.

Arts management issues taught through analysis of case studies. Course includes management theories, organizational structures, and current issues.

Practicum in theatre management procedures and business of the theatre involving box office, audience development, research, publicity, operational, and contract procedures in regard to artists, technicians, managers, and producers. Students actively engage in management areas of the PlayMakers Repertory Company and productions of the Department of Dramatic Art.

Permission of the instructor. Taught in a four-semester rotation. May be repeated for credit for a total of six hours for undergraduates and 12 hours for graduate students. Series of topics in costume for use in design and production for the stage.

Advanced costume production techniques with an emphasis on millinery. Undergraduates-Instructor permission only. Permission of the instructor.

Permission of the instructor. Advanced costume production techniques with an emphasis on creating masks and armor.

Advanced costume production techniques with an emphasis on decorative arts, with an emphasis on fans and shoes. This class requires permission of the instructor.

The study of a topic in dramaturgy, theatrical design, or theatrical production for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Content and instructor will vary. May be repeated for credit.

Required preparation, one performance studies course above COMM 400. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the required preparation. Project-based class where students acquire skills and critical approaches to create collaborative, professional, multimedia works.

Study of proportions and the effects of corsetry and body padding to body proportions. This class requires permission of the instructor.

Required preparation, 3.3 cumulative grade point average and permission of the department. The commencement of a special project (essay or creative endeavor), approved by the department, by a student who has been designated a candidate for undergraduate honors.

Permission of the department. The completion of a special project by a student who has been designated a candidate for undergraduate honors.

Close study of the interrelationships between theory and practice in contemporary world theatre, placing developments in their cultural contexts, and exploring current theatrical trends in an international framework.

Admission to the M.F.A. Acting program required. Intensive professional training for the actor. Must be taken fall and spring.

Admission to the second year of the M.F.A. Acting program required. Advanced professional training for the actor. Must be taken fall and spring.

Admission to the M.F.A. Acting program required. Development of the individual actor's voice and speech. Must be taken fall and spring.

Admission to the second year of the M.F.A. Acting program required. Expansion of the individual's vocal versatility in performance. Must be taken fall and spring.

Admission to the M.F.A. Acting program required. Development of the actor's body as an expressive instrument. Must be taken fall and spring.

Acting program required. Advanced projects in movement. Special sessions in Physical Comedy and Clown. Must be taken fall and spring. Admission to the second year of the M.F.A.

Admission to the M.F.A. Acting program required. Rehearsal and performance of special ensemble projects. Must be taken fall and spring. May be repeated for credit.

Admission to the second year of the M.F.A. Acting program required. Practical application of techniques in rehearsal and performance in studio and main stage production. Must be taken fall and spring. May be repeated for credit.

Admission to the third year of the M.F.A. Acting program required. Intense practicum as a member of the PlayMakers Repertory acting company. Preparation and presentation of assigned projects and work in departmental productions. Work in voice and movement as scheduled.

Advanced construction techniques in theatrical costuming with an emphasis on couture methods. This class requires permission of the instructor.

Advanced construction techniques with an emphasis on advanced couture methods. Graduate students only.

Costume graduates only. Advanced construction techniques with an emphasis on bodice development. Costume graduate students only.

Study of pattern making in advanced shapes for the stage. Graduate students only.

Continued study of pattern making with advanced shapes for theatrical costumes. Graduate students only.

Using combination of patternmaking and dressmaking techniques to achieve unusual shapes in theatrical costume. Graduate students only.

Permission of instructor. Investigation of digital applications as applies to professional development for costume makers.

Advanced study of western fashion from the 14th through 18th Centuries. Graduate students only.

Costume graduates only. Study of historical pattern with an emphasis in Victorian era.

Beginning instruction in pattern making through flat pattern for theatrical costume. Undergraduates need permission of the instructor.

Beginning instruction in pattern making through draping on a dress form for theatrical costume.

Study of shop and business management techniques required to run a successful costume making business. Permission of the instructor.

Costume graduates only. Overview of organization and personnel management for costume production.

Practical work in the costume shop though production assignments. Costume graduate students only.

Practical work in the costume shop though production assignments. Costume graduate students only.

Practical work in the costume shop though production assignments. Costume graduate students only.

Practical work in the costume shop though production assignments. Costume graduate students only.

Admission to the third year of the M.F.A. Costume program required. Advanced practical work in the costume shop. Must be taken fall and spring.

Intensive practicum in Costume Arts, with tutorial and class assignments on an individual basis as required. Fall or spring. May be repeated for credit.

Study of the technical and engineering problems in production and standard theatrical drafting and construction conventions. Must be taken fall and spring.

Technical graduates only. Additional study of technical and engineering problems in production.

Admission to the second year of the M.F.A. Technical Production program required. An advanced study of the management, technical, and engineering problems involved in theatrical production. Must be taken fall and spring.

Admission to the third year of the M.F.A. Technical Production program required. An advanced study of the management, technical, and engineering problems involved in theatrical production. Must be taken fall and spring.

Advanced scenic construction techniques leading to specific project or production responsibility in the area of scenic construction in Department of Dramatic Art productions and PlayMakers Repertory Company. A minimum of fifteen hours per week is required during the rehearsal period. Faculty evaluation at the close of the production. May be repeated for credit.

Admission into the third year of the M.F.A. Technical Production program required. Intensive practicum in production projects for departmental and PlayMakers Repertory Company productions. Must be taken fall and spring.

Technical graduates only. Continuation of advanced scenic construction techniques with specific project or production responsibility in the area of scenic construction.

Technical graduates only. Individual programs in scenic construction techniques.

This course will teach the Technical Production Graduate Candidate and those going into administrative leadership of producing theaters a greater perspective and insight into what a Production Manager does during a season at a professional theater.

Permission of the instructor. This course acquaints the student with professional practice in lighting design through lecture by faculty and visiting professionals and through evaluation of lighting designs executed by students and critiqued by professionals.

Admission to the M.F.A. program in Technical Production required. An examination of professional theatre practice through contact with students, staff, faculty, and visiting artists in technical theatre. Generally taken fall and spring. May be repeated for credit.

Admission into the M.F.A. Technical program required. Practical work in scene shop. Must be taken fall and spring.

Technical graduates only. Continuation of practical work in scene shop.

Admission to the second year of the M.F.A. Technical program required. Advanced practical work in scene shop. Must be taken fall and spring.

Continuation of advanced practical work in scene shop.

Intensive practicum in production projects for departmental and PlayMakers Repertory Company productions, with independent studies as assigned on an individual basis. May be repeated for credit.

Admission to the M.F.A. program in any area required. An examination of the literature of the theatre in terms of dramatic construction, theory, and interpretation. May be repeated for credit.