Theatre and Dance
Courses
DRA 100 Theatre Practicum: Performance 1 cr
Practical experience in acting. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four credit hours. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. Fulfills the Fine Arts and Humanities requirement in general education.
DRA 101 Theatre Practicum: Tech 1 cr
Practical experience in backstage work. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four credit hours. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. Fulfills the Fine Arts and Humanities requirement in general education.
DRA 102 Theatre Practicum: Leadership 1 cr
Practical experience in theatre areas other than acting or technical production. May be repeated three times for a maximum of four credit hours. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. Fulfills the Fine Arts and Humanities requirement in general education.
DRA 106 Theatre Cornerstone 1 cr
An introductory course designed to familiarize incoming majors to the basics of professional theatre, the expectations for the upcoming 4-year degree, and the processes of the USA Department of Theatre and Dance.
DRA 110 Introduction to Theatre 3 cr
A basic survey of theatre practice. Fulfills the Fine Arts and Humanities requirement in general education.
DRA 121 Acting II 3 cr
A continuation of Acting I, this course emphasizes character development and analysis of classic American texts and introduces the work of Konstantin Stanislavski. Prerequisite: DRA 120 or permission of the instructor. Restrictions: Must be a drama major or minor or a dance minor. This course fufills the Fine Arts and Humanities requirements in General Education
Prerequisite: DRA 120 Minimum Grade of D
DRA 125 Fundamentals of Acting 3 cr
An introductory class in acting for the stage, aimed at those with little or no previous experience. Students will be introduced to a basic acting vocabulary, begin to develop skills in necessary script analysis, observe acting through live and recorded performances, and gain practical experience in acting through exercise, rehearsal and performance.
DRA 135 Fund of Technical Theatre I 3 cr
A basic survey of fundamentals of scenery and lights for the theatre. This course prepares students for the Essential Skills in Entertainment Technician exams as proctored by the United States Institute of Theatre.
DRA 136 Fund of Technical Theatre II 3 cr
A basic survey of fundamentals of Costuming, Wigs/Stage Make-up and Properties for theatre. Course prepares students for the Essential Skills in Entertainment Technician exams as proctored by the United States Institute of Theatre.
DRA 150 Text Analysis 3 cr
Reading and analyzing play scripts as blueprints for dramatic actions, sights, sounds, characters, and productions. This course fulfills the Fine Arts and Humanities requirement in General Education.
DRA 220 Stage Movement 3 cr
Through exercises and scene study, student-actors explore movement for the stage.
Prerequisite: DRA 121 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 221 Voice for Actors 3 cr
A workshop-lecture course in speaking voice and articulation for performance.
Prerequisite: DRA 121 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 235 Fund of Theatrical Design 3 cr
A basic survey of theatrical design practices including the fundamental elements of line, shape, texture, composition, and color utilized for visual communication.
DRA 290 Special Topics - 1-3 cr
Theatre and drama topics not covered in regular curriculum. May be repeated when subject varies for a total of 9 hours.
DRA 300 Adv Wksp Rehearsal and Perform 1 cr
Advanced practical experience in acting. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 hours. Prerequisites: Junior status and Permission of Instructor.
DRA 301 Adv Wksp Technical Production 1 cr
Advanced practical experience in backstage work. May be repeated for a total of 4 hours. Prerequisites: Junior status and permission of Instructor.
DRA 302 Adv Wksp Spec Activities 1 cr
Advanced practical experience in theatre areas other than acting or technical production. May be repeated three times for a total of four hours. Prerequisites: Junior status and permission of department chair.
DRA 310 Playwriting 3 cr
Studies in character, plot development, and the one-act play form. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor.
DRA 321 Acting IV 3 cr
A continuation of Acting III, this course emphasizes the techniques of theatrical styles, typically "Shakespeare." Prerequisite: DRA 121 or permission of the instructor. Limited to undergraduate status.
Prerequisite: DRA 121 (may be taken concurrently) Minimum Grade of D
DRA 323 Acting II 3 cr
Prerequisite: DRA 120 Minimum Grade of C or DRA 220 Minimum Grade of C or DRA 221 Minimum Grade of C
Cross-Listed: DRA 222
DRA 330 Scene Design 3 cr
The fundamentals of scene design for the stage. Prerequisite: Limited to undergraduate status.
Prerequisite: DRA 235 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 331 Lighting Design 3 cr
The course focuses on the fundamentals of lighting design for the Stage.
Prerequisite: DRA 235 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 332 Costume Design 3 cr
The fundamentals of costume design for the stage.
Prerequisite: DRA 235 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 334 Costume Design 3 cr
A class in basic design theory,, concentrating on design concept, characterization and research. Some instruction in figure drawing and rendering. Artistic and Technical concerns as they apply to Costume Design will be addressed through lectures, discussions, and critiques. The course will focus on the first half of the design process: research, direction and rendering of ideas. Special concentration will focus on character analysis and their physical manifestations. In-class critiques will help the student to identify and utilize the characteristics of good design.
Cross-Listed: DRA 432
DRA 340 Directing I 3 cr
The fundamental techniques involved in directing a stage play: analysis, casting, and blocking.
Prerequisite: DRA 120 Minimum Grade of C and DRA 150 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 350 Theatre History I - W 3 cr
A comprehensive study of the important developments in theatre art from its beginnings to 1642, including a computer component.
DRA 351 Theatre History II - W 3 cr
A continuation of DRA 350 from the Restoration to the present.
DRA 400 Theatre Internship 6 cr
Practical experience in stock, repertory, or touring theatre. Prerequisites: Junior status or permission of the department chair. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
DRA 410 3-Dimensional Makeup and Masks 3 cr
A class in basic face casting, theatrical masks and slush mold latex appliances for the Stage.
Prerequisite: DRA 210 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 420 Studies in Acting Styles 3 cr
Variable content course featuring acting styles found in different theatrical genres as well as for the camera. May be repeated twice for credit when topic varies.
DRA 431 Lighting Design 3 cr
The fundamentals of lighting design for the stage.
Prerequisite: DRA 131 Minimum Grade of C and DRA 133 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 432 Costume Design 3 cr
The fundamentals of costume design for the stage. Prerequisite: DRA 132
Prerequisite: DRA 132 Minimum Grade of D
DRA 435 Design Practicum - Main Stage 3 cr
A class geared to giving the student practical application design theory, continued development of render/modeling skill, and actualization of design
DRA 480 Senior Capstone 3 cr
A culminating experience for all theatre majors, this course will provide instruction in professional theatre business practices aimed at graduating students about to leave the university for early career opportunities, as well as afford the student the opportunity to prepare and present a major research project that builds upon and synthesizes the knowledge and skills acquired during their theatre studies. A presentation of the research project will be presented to the entire department, and adjudicated by the full-time theatre faculty.
Prerequisite: DRA 340 Minimum Grade of C
DRA 490 Special Topics 1-3 cr
Various topics of special interest to Theatre majors. Restrictions. Limited to undergraduate status. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. May be repeated once for a maximum of six credit hours when topic varies.
DRA 494 Directed Studies - 1-3 cr
Independent study under faculty supervision, involving research readings, or artistic projects. Restrictions: Limited to undergraduate status. Prerequisites: Permission of department chair. May be repeated seven times for a maximum of eight credit hours.
DRA 496 Theatre Internship 6 cr
Practical experience in stock, repertory, or touring theatre.
Faculty
| Faculty Name | Faculty Department | Faculty Position | Degrees Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson, Christina Lyn Wilson | Theatre and Dance | Assistant Professor | BA, Miscellaneous Institution 02 BA, Southern Arkansas Univ-Main MFA, University of Alabama |
| Nara, John A | Theatre and Dance | Instructor | BA, Le Moyne College MFA, University of Alabama |