Location: MB 201
Telephone: (940) 898-2519
Telefax: (940) 898-2494
E-Mail: charrill@TWU.EDU
http://www.twu.edu/as/pa/drama/

Faculty: Professor C. Harrill, M.L. Hoyle; Assistant Professor M. Trösterová-Fantová; Lecturer J. Everton, P. Nacy; Instructor S. Younse.

The Department of Performing Arts offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees in drama. Course work available in the areas of acting/directing, design/production, and musical theatre permits a student to develop a program of study which focuses attention on the desired area as well as on the relationship of all theatrical elements to the whole production process.

Essential to a complete course of study in the theatre is the student’s opportunity to work as performer and technician in the TWU Theatre season. Studio productions are directed and designed by advanced drama students. The practical processes of theatre production as well as academic study are stressed in order to give students a broad and diverse theatre background.

Course requirements for a drama major and a drama minor follow under the degree plans of study. Students seeking certification in theatre arts on the secondary level should follow the requirements listed under Bachelor of Science with Teaching Certification in Drama.

The drama division develops well-rounded theatre artists who have the ability to function creatively and skillfully in a variety of theatre situations. Committed to top quality theatre performance and excellence in the classroom, the program provides practical as well as academic training for students pursuing careers in professional and educational theatre.
 

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Drama
 
The University-wide general requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are listed in the Academic Information section of this catalog. A major in drama requires 45 hours.

Core curriculum required of all majors - 36 hours

DRAM 1312. Rehearsal and Production I

DRAM 1321. Script Reading (two hours)

DRAM 2433. Theatrical Makeup

DRAM 2451. Performance I

DRAM 2461. Performance II

DRAM 2471. Movement for the Performer I*

DRAM 2493. Understanding the Arts-Drama

DRAM 3421. Drafting

DRAM 3422. Stagecraft I

DRAM 3432. Stagecraft II: Scene Painting for the Stage

DRAM 3473. The Theatre and Its Drama-Before 1715

DRAM 3483. The Theatre and Its Drama-After 1715

DRAM 3523. Play Directing

DRAM 4412. Rehearsal and Production II

DRAM 4901. Special Topics: Summer Stock Company

DRAM 4903. Special Topics: Summer Stock Company (six hours)
 

Drama elective possibilities - nine hours to be selected from the following:

DRAM 3451. Advanced Acting I

DRAM 3471. Advanced Acting II

DRAM 3481. Movement for the Performer II

DRAM 3461. Stage Management

DRAM 3493. Theatre Speech

DRAM 4413. Stage Design (repeatable for up to nine hours of credit)

DRAM 4423. Stage Lighting

DRAM 4472. Sound Design and Technology

DRAM 4513. Characterization

DRAM 4523. Audition for Stage and Camera

DRAM 4901. Selected Topics

DRAM 4903. Selected Topics

DRAM 4911. Independent Studies

DRAM 4913. Independent Studies

Additional course work required for B.A. in Drama:

Foreign Language: Six hours of the same language.
Literature: Six hours (may be part of the core curriculum).
Related Studies: 18 hours (six advanced) of course work selected in consultation with the student’s advisor to support the course of study chosen within Programs in Drama. Courses may be chosen from more than one discipline.

Admission to Drama Program

Initial acceptance into the Drama Program is provisional during the first year of residency. Consult the "Drama Student Handbook" for complete information with regards to unconditional admission, application procedures, and other drama major requirements.

Drama Major Rehearsal and Production Requirement

Drama majors must enroll in DRAM 1312 or 4412 each semester of full-time enrollment. Transfer students must complete eight credit hours in DRAM 4412.

Drama Minor

Students selecting drama as an academic minor will take the following:

DRAM 1312. Rehearsal and Production I

DRAM 1321. Script Reading

DRAM 2433. Theatrical Makeup

DRAM 2451. Performance I

DRAM 2461. Performance II

DRAM 2471. Movement for the Performer I

DRAM 2493. Understanding the Arts-Drama

DRAM 3421. Drafting

DRAM 3422. Stagecraft I

DRAM 3432. Stagecraft II:Scene Painting for the Stage*

DRAM 3523. Play Directing
 

Teaching Certification in Theatre Arts

Although secondary education is not a focus area of Programs in Drama, a student may earn Teaching Certification in Theatre Arts. Any student interested in pursuing Teaching Certification is encouraged to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama before seeking a post-baccalaureate certification program as described in this catalogue under the College of Education and Human Ecology.

For students pursuing Theatre Arts as a Second Teaching Field, the following courses are required.

Required Drama Courses

DRAM 1312. Rehearsal and Production I

DRAM 1321. Script Reading (two hours)

DRAM 2433. Stage Makeup

DRAM 2451. Performance I

DRAM 2461. Performance II

DRAM 2471. Movement for the Performer I

DRAM 3421. Drafting

DRAM 3422. Stagecraft I

DRAM 3432. Stagecraft II: Scene Painting for the Stage*

DRAM 3461. Stage Management

DRAM 3473. Theatre and Its Drama: Before 1715

DRAM 3483. Theatre and Its Drama: Since 1715

DRAM 3523. Play Directing

DRAM 4412. Rehearsal and Production II

DRAM 4413. Stage Design (six hours: three in costume and three in scenic)

DRAM 4423. Stage Lighting

Required Education Courses

ERDB 3133. Schooling in America

ELDR 3133. Learning Theory and Educational Measurement

ERDB 3153. Secondary Curriculum Development and

Instructional Methods.

ELDR 3513. Secondary Classroom Management and

Educational Technology

ERDB 3463. Secondary Content Area Reading or ERDB 4463. Diagnostic and Remedial Reading

Student Teaching 6 hours (two fields)
 

Drama Undergraduate Courses

DRAM 1312. Rehearsal and Production I. (DRAM 1220) Exploration of theatre process; practical, hands-on experience in performance, crew work, and all aspects of technical production associated with the TWU Theatre season. May repeat for credit. Eight laboratory hours a week (averaged over the semester), Credit: two hours.

DRAM 1321. Script Reading. Survey of selected examples of dramatic literature. Students required to read one assigned play per week and attend one weekly discussion class. Credit: One hour; may be repeated for up to two credit hours.

DRAM 2433. Theatrical Makeup. (DRAM 1341) Design and application of makeup for the stage; areas explored include theory, color, character analysis, materials, old age, three-dimensional, and fantasy makeup. Three lecture/demonstration hours a week plus crew assignment. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 2451. Performance. Theory and practice of performance; introductory laboratory course designed to build confidence, self-expression, and imagination in any performance situation through the use of improvization. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: one hour.

DRAM 2461. Performance II. Exploration of self-expression through role playing; personal attention given to meet individual performance objectives. To be taken concurrently with DRAM 2471. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: one hour.

DRAM 2471. Movement for the Performer I. Exploration of movement as a vehicle for self-knowledge, understanding of others, and communication; development of movement mastery to facilitate an articulate and expressive body instrument. To be taken concurrently with DRAM 2461 or by permission of instructor. Three laboratory hours a week. Credit: one hour.

DRAM 2493. Understanding the Arts - Drama. (DRAM 1310) An overview of the process and performance of the theatrical experience. Designed as a beginning orientation for drama majors and as an introduction for the non-major. Satisfies the fine arts requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 3421. Drafting for the Stage. An introduction to technical drafting for the theatre focusing on the standard equipment, symbols, and mechanical drawing techniques used to communicate scenery, property, and lighting designs in theatrical production. Must be concurrently enrolled in DRAM 3422 or by permission of instructor. One and a half lecture hours a week. Credit: One hour.

DRAM 3422. Stagecraft I. Introduction to styles of theatrical design and its needs. Lecture/laboratory course to include scenery construction techniques and materials, tools, organization, and theatre safety. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Two hours.

DRAM 3432. Stagecraft II: Scene Painting for the Stage. A study of painting techniques for theatrical scenery to include exploration of color theory, color media, paint equipment and methods of application. To be taken concurrently with DRAM 1312 or DRAM 4412. Prerequisite: DRAM 3422 or permission of the instructor. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: two hours.

DRAM 3451. Advanced Acting I. Advanced performance course designed to develop acting techniques through monologue and scene study. Repeatable for credit. To be taken concurrently with DRAM 3481. Prerequisites: DRAM 2451, 2461, 2471 or by permission of the instructor. Three and one-half laboratory hours a week. Credit: one hour.

DRAM 3561. Stage Management. Explores the backstage organization involved in a theatrical production as related to educational and professional theatres. One lecture hour a week. Credit: one hour.

DRAM 3471. Advanced Acting II. Emphasis on styles of acting. Monologues and scenes from traditional dramatic literature to be performed. Prerequisites: DRAM 2451, 2461, 2471, 3451 or by permission of the instructor. Three and one-half laboratory hours a week. Credit: one hour.

DRAM 3481. Movement for the Performer II. Role development with emphasis on physical projection, spatial awareness, and period movement; development and refinement of movement mastery. To be taken concurrently with DRAM 3451 or by permission of the instructor. Prerequisite: DRAM 2471 or by permission of the instructor. Two and one-half laboratory hours a week. Credit: One hour.

DRAM 3473. The Theatre and Its Drama: Before 1715. A history of the theatre from ancient Greece through the English restoration with a careful study of the plays written during each period. Three lecture hours a week. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 3483. The Theatre and Its Drama: Since 1715. A history of the theatre from the Eighteenth Century to the present with a careful study of the plays written during each period. Three lecture hours a week. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 3493. Theatre Speech. Instruction and laboratory study of the mechanics of speech for the actor; basic techniques of breath control, support, speech sounds, articulation, and speech melody for the stage. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 3523. Play Directing. Theory and practice of directing; course covers the fundamentals of composition, movement, stage business, and rehearsal planning. Prerequisites: DRAM 2451, 2461, 3422, 3432. Two lecture, four laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

*DRAM 3913. Dance/Music/Theatre Improvisation. Exploration of the integration of movement, sound, and text through the use of improvisation and the development of collaborative performance works. One lecture and three laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours. May be repeated for additional credit.

*DRAM 3923. Music Theatre: Form-in-the-Making. Artistic process of creating music theatre from the perspective of the choreographer, composer, and playwright. Prerequisite: DNCE 3913, DRAM 3913, or MU 3913 or permission of instructor. Six laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours. May be repeated for additional credit.

DRAM 4412. Rehearsal and Production II. Advanced laboratory course designed to explore the process of theatre; practical, hands-on experience in performance, crew work, and all aspects of technical production associated with the TWU Theatre season. Repeatable for credit. Eight laboratory hours a week (averaged over the semester). Credit: Two hours.

DRAM 4413. Stage Design. Problems in design for theatrical productions; visual communication in the theatre. Specific course content to vary per semester as the principles of costume, scenery, lighting, or makeup design are explored. Prerequisite: DRAM 3422 and 3432 or consent of instructor. Two lecture, four studio hours a week. Credit: Three hours, may be repeated for up to nine hours.

DRAM 4423. Stage Lighting. Mechanics and art of lighting for the stage; studies include nature of light and optics, color, instrumentation, dimmers, and elementary lighting design; practical application with TWU Theatre productions. Three lecture hours a week plus a crew assignment. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 4472. Sound Design and Technology. Mechanics and art of sound production for the stage. Studies include the nature of sound and acoustics; equipment for recording, reproduction, and reinforcement of sound in the theatre; elementary design. Two lecture hours per week. Credit: Two hours.

DRAM 4513. Characterization. An exploration of physical, vocal, sensory, and analytical techniques for creating characterizations for all dramatic genres. Emphasis is on research, acquisition of new skills and analytical systems for character development. Two lecture and two laboratory hours per week. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 4523. Audition for Stage and Camera. Exploration of acting techniques for stage and camera auditions. Emphasis is on prepared auditions, cold readings and preparation of visual and written materials. Two lecture and two laboratory hours per week. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 4901. Selected Topics. An organized class for the study of particular areas or subjects not offered in another scheduled course. One lecture hour a week. Credit: One hour.

DRAM 4903. Selected Topics. An organized class for the study of particular areas or subjects not offered in another scheduled course. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

DRAM 4911. Independent Study. Individual supervisory and tutorial instruction; content may include directed readings, a research or design project, or other similar studies. Credit: One hour.

DRAM 4913. Independent Study. Individual supervisory and tutorial instruction; content may include directed readings, a research or design project, or other similar studies. Credit: Three hours.
 

Drama Graduate Courses

DRAM 5403. Problems in Production

DRAM 5433. Contemporary Theatre

DRAM 5473. Dramatic Criticism and Play Analysis

DRAM 5483. Theatre History I

DRAM 5493. Theatre History II

DRAM 5503. Styles of Acting

DRAM 5513. Theatre Management

DRAM 5521. Theatre in Performance

DRAM 5533. Advanced Theatrical Design

DRAM 5543. Speech for the Stage

DRAM 5901. Special Topics

DRAM 5903. Special Topics

DRAM 5911. Individual Study

DRAM 5913. Individual Study

DRAM 5973. Professional Paper