Theater & Dance Courses

Theatre & Dance (DRA)
DRA 100 Theatre Workshop: Rehearsal and Performance 1 cr Practical experience in acting. May be repeated for a maximum of four hours. Pre-requisite: Permission of department chair.
DRA 101 Theatre Workshop: Technical Production 1 cr Practical experience in backstage work. May be repeated for a maximum of four hours. Pre-requisite: Permission of department chair.
DRA 102 Theatre Workshop: Special Activities 1 cr Practical experience in theatre areas other than acting and technical production. May be repeated for a maximum of four hours. Pre-requisite: Permission of department chair.
DRA 103 Theatre Symposium 0.5 cr A symposium required of all full-time drama majors meeting weekly to share and discuss theatre activities. Four hours required for majors for graduation with adjustments made for transfer students.
DRA 104 Introduction to Dance I 3 cr Beginning level instruction in dance, including theory and terminology, with a primary focus on classical ballet. Designed to prepare the student dancer for performance.
DRA 110 Introduction to Theatre 3 cr A basic survey of theatre practice. Fulfills the Fine Arts requirement for Arts and Sciences. Core Course.
DRA 115 Acting for Non-Majors 3 cr An interactive course designed to introduce the non-major to the art and discipline of acting as both performer and observer. Through a sequence of exercises and practice, the student will be introduced to the actor’s mode of thinking, creating, and working.
DRA 116, 416 Opera and Musical Theatre Workshop 1/2 cr A Workshop dedicated to training students in the fundamentals of performance, and production through experience with music for the stage. Standards of opera, operetta, and American musical theatre are explored in scene exercises and fully-stage productions. Enrollment is open to all students through audition or permission of the instructor. Cross-listed with MUO 116, 416
DRA 120 Acting I 3 cr A workshop-lecture course introducing a basic process for acting on the stage in the style of modern realism.
DRA 130 Stagecraft 3 cr A lecture-laboratory course in the fundamentals of stagecraft.
DRA 131 Fundamentals of Stage Lighting 3 cr A lecture-laboratory course in the fundamentals of stage lighting.
DRA 132 Costume Fundamentals 3 cr A lecture-laboratory course in the fundamentals of costuming for the stage, including basic sewing skills as they apply to theatrical costumes.
DRA 133 Computer Graphics for the Theatre (C) 1 cr An introductory course on computer drafting and graphic design for the stage.
DRA 150 Text Analysis 3 cr Reading and analyzing play scripts as blueprints for dramatic actions, sights, sounds, characters, and productions.
DRA 204 Dance Techniques I 3 cr A review and expansion of technique, vocabulary, and history of ballet, jazz, and theatrical dance. Pre-requisites: DRA 104 and 105.
DRA 205 Dance Techniques II 3 cr An exploration of modern dance techniques, vocabulary, and history with ballet as their basis. Pre-requisite: DRA 204.
DRA 210 Makeup 1 cr A study of the materials and techniques of theatrical makeup.
DRA 220 Stage Movement 3 cr Through exercises and scene study, student-actors explore movement for the stage. Pre-requisite: DRA 121 or permission of instructor.
DRA 221 Voice for Actors 3 cr A workshop-lecture course in speaking voice and articulation for performance. Pre-requisite: DRA 121 or permission of instructor.
DRA 222 Acting II: Scene Study in Realism 3 cr Course is designed to teach theory and techniques in character development and analysis, as used in Realistic theatre, through the use of scene studies. Pre-requisites: DRA 120 Acting I, DRA 220 Stage Movement, DRA 221, Voice for the Actor, or Permission of Instructor. (It may be taken concurrently with 220, 221, when frequency requires)
DRA 233 Theatrical Rendering 1 hr Course focuses on the major painting mediums, styles of illustration, and techniques utilized in the visual presentation of design for the theatre. The student will develop artistic skills and techniques through studio work in drawing and painting projects for the theatre.
DRA 250 Theatre Management 3 cr A basic course in the principles of accounting, purchasing, box-office management, house management, and promotion.
DRA 261 Creative Dramatics 3 cr A practical course concerned with improvisational acting with children. Of special interest to students in Education and Leisure Services.
DRA 290 Special Topics 3 cr Theatre and drama topics not covered in regular curriculum. May be repeated when subject varies.
DRA 300 Advanced Workshop: Rehearsal and Performance 1 cr Advanced practical experience in acting. May be repeated for a maximum of four hours. Pre-requisites: Junior status and permission of the department chair.
DRA 301 Advanced Workshop: Technical Production 1 cr Advanced practical experience in backstage work. May be repeated for a total of four hours. Pre-requisites: Junior status and permission of the department chair.
DRA 302 Advanced Workshop: Special Activities 1 cr Advanced practical experience in theatre areas other than acting or technical production. May be repeated for a total of four hours. Pre-requisites: Junior status and permission of the department chair.
DRA 310 Playwriting 3 cr Studies in character, plot development, and the one-act play form. Pre-requisite: Permission of department chair.
DRA 315 History of Musical Theatre (W) 3 cr A comprehensive overview of the origins and evolution of American Music Theatre. The course includes both general and specific information toward appropriate choices. Cross-listed with MUL 315. Credit cannot be received for both DRA 315 and MUL 315.
DRA 320 Studies in Acting Styles 3 cr Variable-content course treating acting styles found in different theatrical genres as well as for camera. May be repeated twice for credit when topic varies. Pre-requisites: DRA 120, 220, 221, and 222, or permission of instructor.
DRA 330 Scene Design 3 cr The fundamentals of scene design for the stage.
DRA 331 Lighting Design 3 cr The fundamental of lighting design for the stage. Pre-req. DRA 131.
DRA 332 Costume Design 3 cr The fundamentals of costume design for the stage. Pre-req: DRA 132
DRA 333 Design Portfolio 1 cr Practical lab course designing and developing aesthetically pleasing portfolio for Graduate School Interview or Professional Theatre placement. Developments of digital portfolio and web-page development both included. Pre-req: Junior or permission of instructor.
DRA 340 Directing I 3 cr The fundamental techniques involved in directing a stage play: analysis, casting, and blocking. Pre-requisite: DRA 120.
DRA 350 Theatre History I (W)(C) 3 cr A comprehensive study of the important contributions in theatre art from its beginnings to 1642.
DRA 351 Theatre History II (W) 3 cr A continuation of DRA 350 from the Restoration to the present.
DRA 352 Costume History and Period Style 3 cr Historical study of dress in relation to costuming for the stage.

DRA 410 3-Dimensional Makeup and Masks 3 cr Laboratory class in basic face casting, slush mold, latex appliances, and other theatrical mask-making techniques.
DRA 433 Studies in Advanced Design 3 Advanced studies in either Scene Design, Costume Design, or Lighting Design for the Stage. May be repeated once if the topic varies for a total of six credits.

DRA 434 Advanced Theatre Design 3 cr Advanced variable topics class in design theory, concept, and research with concentration in Costume, Scenic, or Lighting. May be repeated twice with different topic. Pre-req: DRA 330, 331, or 332.
DRA 435 Design Practicum (Design of Main Stage) 3 cr Provides students with practical application of design theory and actualization of design for a realized main stage production.
DRA 460 Theatre for Youth 3 cr The reading and production techniques of plays for children and teenagers.
DRA 480 Senior Capstone 3 cr Exploration of realized public product in student's area of concentration.
DRA 490 Special Topics 3 cr Various topics of special interest to students of drama. Pre-requisite: Permission of department chair.
DRA 494 Directed Studies 1-3 cr Independent study under faculty supervision, involving research, readings, or artistic projects. Pre-requisite: Permission of department chair.