Undergraduate Drama Courses

DRAM 1100. Transitioning to University Studies in Theatre. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 1 Hour).

Practical study designed to prepare the student for university life, aid in the development of skills for academic success, promote personal growth and responsibility, and encourage active involvement in the learning process from an individual college perspective. These skill sets are presented in the context of theatre disciplines.

DRAM 1008. Production Crafts Practicum. 0 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

DRAM 1112. Theatre Movement/Dance I. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

This course develops the student's awareness of the body as an instrument of communication in stage acting. Using the body as an instrument for performance action and bringing the actor to a deeper understanding of physical stage presence.

DRAM 1113. Theatre Voice, Diction and Dialect I. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class is to expand the actor's means of vocal expression by way of speech and accent/dialect.

DRAM 1120. Theatre Practicum I. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

Practicum in theater open to all students with emphasis on technique and procedures with experience gained in play productions.

DRAM 1121. Theatre Practicum II. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

Practicum in theater open to all students with emphasis on technique and procedures with experience gained in play productions.

DRAM 1230. Stagecraft I. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

The study of technical procedures employed in planning, building, painting, and lighting scenery. Backstage participation in play production as an active set builder and crew member will be required. Stage lighting will be approached from its practical and aesthetic value as a contributing factor to production. Lab fee: $2.

DRAM 1310. Introduction to Theatre. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A beginning theatre course providing a survey of the fields of theatre activities. This course provides an introductory knowledge of all types and phases of drama: literature, performance, and design.

DRAM 1341. Makeup. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Design and application of make-up for the stage; areas explored include theory, color, character analysis, materials, old age, three-dimensional, and fantasy make-up.

DRAM 1351. Acting I. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Introduction to the art of acting through basic theory and technique. Participation in college theatre production is encouraged.

DRAM 1352. Acting II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

An analytical approach to acting with emphasis on techniques of characterization, stage presence, and movement. Special attention will be given to the role of the actor as an integral member of an ensemble effort. Theories of acting and of acting styles will also be studied. Participation in a college theatre production is encouraged.

DRAM 2112. Theatre Movement/Dance II. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

This course uses the body as an instrument for performance action and bringing the actor to a deeper understanding of physical stage presence.

DRAM 2113. Theatre Voice, Diction and Dialect II. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class is to expand the actor's means of vocal expression by way of speech and accent/dialect. Content will include the sound symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet. These identification skills form a bridge to vocal transformation into character accents.

DRAM 2120. Theatre Practicum III. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

Practicum in theater open to all students with emphasis on technique and procedures with experience gained in play productions.

DRAM 2121. Theatre Practicum IV. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

This course will replace the current course DRAM 1220:Theatre Practicum; this course will lower the credit hour from two to one.

DRAM 2231. Stagecraft II. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

The study of theatrical costuming and its application in contemporary theatre. Theory on costuming will be applied in laboratory situations and through theatrical production. Lab fee: $2.

DRAM 2232. Stagecraft III. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

Students will learn the technical processes and theoretical instruction on becoming theatrical electrician and prop master. Topics covered include workplace safety, basic electrical procedures, theatrical electrical production techniques, construction of handheld props, furniture, puppets, and mask building. Lab fee: $2.

DRAM 2255. Script Analysis. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to script analysis for production with an emphasis on close reading, understanding narratives, and the importance of story and audience reception.The course offers general guidelines for reading and thinking about plays and understanding the basic potentials of a play’s construction.

DRAM 2333. Theatrical Drawing and Drafting. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Principles and practice in the techniques of drafting traditional/nontraditional types of stage scenery. Principles and practice sketching costumes, scenery, stage properties in preparation for Scenic Design and Costume Design.

DRAM 2361. History of the Theatre I. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Theatre from its origins to 1750; plays, playwrights, actors, costumes, scenic arts of each period as related to events of period and to contemporary theatre.

DRAM 2362. History of the Theatre II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Theatre since 1750; plays, playwrights, actors, costumes, scenic arts of each period as related to events of period and to contemporary theatre. Prerequisite: DRAM 2361 or approval of department head.

DRAM 3112. Theatre Movement/Dance III. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

This course provides advanced training in awareness and development of the body for creation and communication in theatre. Emphasis will be made on creating awareness and training in stylized dramas.

DRAM 3113. Theatre Voice, Diction and Dialect III. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class is to expand the actor's means of vocal expression by way of speech and accent/dialect. Course work will focused on a strong foundation in breath support, release, resonance, vocal variety and the continue use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

DRAM 3209. Portfolio Development and Career Management. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will be a study of portfolio development and career management for designers, stage managers and technicians. Students will create and development a professional resume and a portfolio of accomplished production experience. Prerequisite: 60 credit hours.

DRAM 3210. Directing Young Actors. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will address directing young actors and assist any teacher in directing theatre activities. During the course, students will direct plays or scenes.

DRAM 3271. Musical Theatre Dance I. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

This course is a dance class as it pertains to musical theatre styles and performance. Specific styles may vary by semester. Participation in college theatre production is encouraged. Prerequisite: N/A Lab fee: $2.

DRAM 3272. Musical Theatre Dance II. 2 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

This course is the study of dance, movement, and staging for musical theatre. It includes strategies for learning and performing dance combinations as they occur in a professional dance audition. Students will continue to develop fundamental dance technique and apply it to musical theatre dance. Course culminates in student choreographed/staged works. Lab fee: $2.

DRAM 3300. Scene Design and Construction. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

The study of the elements of a design used to capture mood, atmosphere, and idea of a play; designing to scale, and drawing ground plans and elevations; technical elements of scene construction. Students must work set crew for theatrical production as laboratory.

DRAM 3301. Costume Design and Construction. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

Studies in stage costuming; history, characterization, fabrics, construction and design. A lecture and laboratory course including student planning, illustration, construction, and designing of costumes for University productions. Prerequisite: DRAM 2231: Stagecraft II.

DRAM 3302. Directing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Basic techniques for the stage including scene interpretation, pictorial composition, movement and rehearsal routine. Students will direct and supervise production of short plays.

DRAM 3303. Lighting for the Theatre. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

History and techniques of lighting for the stage. Major emphasis is placed on design and practical application. Prerequisite: DRAM 1230:Stagecraft 1 Lab fee: $2.

DRAM 3304. Sound for the Theatre. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Techniques of sound for the stage, including multi-track recording, editing, and the study of microphones. Major emphasis is placed on practical application. Prerequisite: DRAM 1230: Stagecraft I Lab fee: $2.

DRAM 3305. Theatre for Young People. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The history, philosophy, production, and performance of theatre for young people.

DRAM 3306. Scenic painting. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

An introductory course introducing the steps, techniques and tools of scenic artistry. Through hands-on projects you will learn the basic foundation for painting in the theatre.

DRAM 3307. Vectorworks; Computer Aided Drafting. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is an advanced level of theatrical drafting to explore computer aided drafting in scenic and lighting design in theatre. We will be focusing on the drafting program Vectorworks.

DRAM 3308. Advanced Stagecraft. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

This course will be a study in advanced topics in stagecraft technology, including: advanced rigging techniques, show control, production planning, electronic controls, pneumatics, structural design for the stage, and welding.

DRAM 3351. Acting III. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 1 Hour).

An analytical approach to acting with emphasis on the study and practice of techniques for realism and naturalism typically used in performing works by the modern realists. Participation in a college theatre production is encouraged. Prerequisite: DRAM 1352.

DRAM 3352. Devised Theatre. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introductory course in devised theatre, the process of theatre creation in a collaborative manner. The ensemble will create an original or adapted theatrical piece.

DRAM 3363. History of Musical Theatre. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will examine the history and significance of America’s largest contribution to the world of theatre; the book musical. In this course we will explore the context of musical theatre from practitioner to performance throughout history and today. The course emphasizes the development of musical theatre beginning with the operetta and early minstrel shows through the Broadway hits of the Twenty First Century. Additionally, this course introduces students to the art of critique in regard to musical theatre.

DRAM 3373. Theatre for the Classroom. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Theories and practical application of Theatre in the classroom with children and adolescents.

DRAM 3374. Writing for the Stage and Screen. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class is an introduction to the art of scriptwriting and screenwriting. Students will discover how to tell gripping stories and learn the fundamental principles and techniques of shaping those stories for the stage and for the screen. Explore ways of building compelling characters, writing effective and memorable dialogue, and structuring dramatic and cinematic acts and scenes.

DRAM 4086. Theatre Problems. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-6 Hours).

A course featuring independent study in theatre. Research and discussion under personal direction of an instructor. Topics will vary according to student need. Open to students of senior classification with approval of department head.

DRAM 4300. Shakespeare. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study in depth of representative types of Shakespeare's dramas and poetry. Credit for both ENGL 4300 and DRAM 4300 will not be awarded. ENGL 4300 and DRAM 4300 are cross-listed courses. Prerequisites: ENGL 1301, 1302, and 3 hours sophomore ENGL.

DRAM 4302. Directing II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Advanced techniques for the stage including scene interpretation, pictorial composition, movement and rehearsal routine. Students will direct and supervise production of a 40-minute maximum/One Act Play. We will adhere to UIL rules as much as possible as a guide.

DRAM 4304. Dramatic Theory & Criticism. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

A study of the philosophy of aesthetics in theatre and the arts. From the works of various philosophers, directors and actors beginning with Aristotle to contemporary writers.

DRAM 4307. Theatre Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Theatre management, promotion, finances, organization, emphasis on contract negotiations, planning and use of facilities. A lecture-laboratory course applied to a producing theatre operation and plant. Lab fee: $2.

DRAM 4352. Acting IV. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 1 Hour).

This course will be an exploration of the acting styles and related social conventions in major eras throughout history. This course will have an emphasis on the training in approaches to such playwrights as the Greeks, Shakespeare, Moliere, Restoration and 18th century playwrights. Prerequisite: DRAM 3351.

DRAM 4384. Internship. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Minimum of 6 weeks of full-time experience with a professional theatre company approved by the department head. (May be repeated once for a total of 6 hours of academic credit.) Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or permission of department head.

DRAM 4385. Theatre Seminar. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A course open to Theatre students. Topics vary according to student need. May be taken up to three times for credit, for a maximum of 9 hours.