Drama Course Descriptions
Acting
The student will explore the craft of acting in a conservatory approach that involves exercises, scene work and theatre games designed to develop performance skills and technique.
Audition
The student will build a basic understanding of the audition process through the preparation of audition monologues, provide resources on choosing strong material and develop audition techniques.
Dramatic Literature
This course is a survey of dramatic literature exploring both modern and classical plays and the actualization of these works from text to stage.
Voice and Speech
Students will be given exercises to increase breath capacity and to improve vocal quality and diction through an exploration of the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Singing
Through group and individual exercises, this class explores techniques of breathing, relaxation and awareness of the singing voice.
Movement
Students in the Movement class will be exposed to a variety of disciplines in physical theater such as Suzuki, Michael Chekhov and Grotowski.
Styles
This class will introduce acting students to the fundamental approach to classical texts. This session will illustrate methods of scansion and text analysis, finding operative words, phrasing, basic pronunciation and playing actively.
Ballet & Jazz
Specific study will depend upon the outcome of dance auditions held the first day of class. Courses will include general technique and methods specific to musical theatre.
Production/Stage Management
This course presents foundation topics to resource and personnel management with an entertainment project and the management and coordination of cast and creative team members through the rehearsal and performance.
Basic Design
Using a variety of media, students explore design skills, creative process and essentials of design for the stage.
Drafting
This course introduces students to the tools and language of graphic communication and provides hands-on practice of drafting skills.
Lighting Design
This course will familiarize students with concepts, technical information and practical applications of stage lighting.
Stagecraft
This course provides hands-on shop experiences from Scenery, Paints, Sound, Lighting and Costume departments.
Technical Production
This course presents a basic framework for project management as it applies to creative projects: tools for estimating and managing resources in the shops.
Sound Design
This course introduces the concepts, tools and design applications for sound in theatre.
Scenic Engineering
This course looks at the science and engineering as well as traditional practice behind the construction and rigging decisions encountered in the technical design of scenery.
Electives
Three elective options are offered to Acting and Musical Theater students:
Directing
This course will introduce the student to the craft of directing, the function of a director in the creative process and in-class application of principles.
Playwriting
This course will introduce students to the basic principles and structures of dramatic writing through discussion, exercises and applied process.
Improv
Through theater games and energy work, students learn to develop creativity and self expression.
Private Voice Lessons
Available to all Drama students for an additional fee.
*Course offerings subject to change.
Photography courtesy of Louis Stein
