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Division of Humanities
Patrick Kagan-Moore (chair), Mark de Araujo, Anthony R. Haigh,Matthew Hallock, Daniel Stein; students:
The Dramatic Arts Program seeks to provide a balanced and comprehensive theatre experience for all students. We offer classes for both majors and non-majors that provide a thorough foundation in theatrical history, theory, and literature as well as training in acting, directing, design, and technical theatre. Thus, students are prepared for graduate education and for employment in any field that values high level communication skills as well as for careers in theatre as teacher, artist, technician or manager.
In preparation for their graduate school and/or a professional career, majors are required, as part of their senior seminar experience, to reflect upon their time in the drama program at Centre College. This reflection process involves a public "exhibition" of their four years of work within the program. Student are therefore encouraged to save the physical evidence of work (programs, photographs, models, masks, drawings, designs etc.) for this display.
For the student body at large, the program affords the opportunity to experience, as audience or participants, a wide range of dramatic forms selected both to educate and to entertain.
Requirements for the Major
DRA Practicum (3 credits), 117, 133, 134, 150, 230, 500;
Five classes from the following, at least one from each area:
Area A: Performance: DRA 310, 311, 315, 318, 320-329;
Area B: Technology and Design: DRA 250, 350, 351, 355, 356, 360-369;
Area C: Dramatic History & Literature: DRA 330, 331, 332, 338, 340-49;
Requirements for the Minor
DRA Practicum (3 credits);
Two of DRA 117, 150, 230, 338;
DRA 133 and 134;
Two additional DRA courses numbered 300 or higher.
Dramatic Arts Courses
DRA 111 Practicum (one
credit hour)
This course requires the practical involvement of the student in a faculty-directed
or supervised production. This production must be a part of the regular
season of the Dramatic Arts Program. Notes: Admission by audition and
appointment only; graded on a Pass/Unsatisfactory basis; only six hours
of practicum credit may be applied toward graduation.
DRA 112 Practicum (two credit hours)
This course requires the practical involvement of the student in a faculty-directed
production either in a lead acting role or as a crew head. This production
must be a part of the regular season of the Dramatic Arts Program. Notes:
Admission by audition and appointment only; graded on a Pass/Unsatisfactory
basis; only six hours of practicum credit may be applied toward graduation.
DRA 113 Practicum (three credit hours)
This course requires the practical involvement of the student either in
directing a major production or as a lead designer on a faculty-directed
production. This production must be a part of the regular season of the
Dramatic Arts Program. Notes: Admission by appointment only; graded on
a Pass/Unsatisfactory basis; only six hours of practicum credit may be
applied toward graduation.
DRA 115 Modern Dance Technique (one credit hour)
An introduction to the study of modern dance. Classes include basic dance
warm-up exercises designed to stretch and strengthen various muscles throughout
the body, and simple movement combinations designed to improve balance,
coordination, flexibility, and rhythm. The class is supplemented by the
viewing and discussion of videotapes of works by modern dance choreographers.
DRA 116 Modern Dance Performance (one credit hour)
Preparation of a dance performance. By learning, rehearsing, and performing
pieces choreographed by the instructor, students gain an understanding
of the choreographic process. The course culminates in a public performance.
DRA 117 Acting-I
An introduction to the basic theory, techniques, and history of European
and American ensemble training for the actor, from the work of Constantin
Stanislavski to the present. The course begins with exercises designed
to improve performance technique, progresses to character analysis and
development, and finally focuses upon scene rehearsal and performance.
Students read and analyze texts, learning to evaluate them as compositions
for performance.
DRA 133 Foundations of Dramatic Literature -I
A survey of Western dramatic literature from the
ancient Greeks to the eighteenth century.
DRA 134 Foundations of Dramatic Literature -II
A survey of Western dramatic literature from the
eighteenth century to modern times.
DRA 150 Technical Theater (four credit hours)
An introduction to the foundation concepts of theatrical production. Topics
covered include theatrical architecture, scenic production, lighting production,
and theatrical organizational structures.
DRA 230 History of the Theatre
A survey of theatre history from the classical world to the Modern Age.
DRA 310 Acting-II: Improvisation
This course focuses upon game structure and problem-solving exercises
as the basis for theatrical training. Improvisational skill may be taught
through group interactions, narrative storytelling, working with and building
masks, and the development of scenes from personal experience and non-theatrical
literature. Prerequisite: DRA 117 or permission of the instructor.
DRA 311 Acting-II: Styles
An investigation of various styles of acting associated with specific historical periods. Course format includes workshops, labs, directed readings and performance. Prerequisite: DRA 117.
DRA 312 Acting-II: Physical Comedy
This course will center upon physical styles of theatre, including clowning, farce, satire, and commedia dell'arte. Study is based in the theories and practice of such teachers as Vsevelod Meyerhold (biomechanics), Jacques LeCoq (neutral mask and corporeal clowning), Keith Johnstone and Libby Appel (mask characterization), Ruth Zapora and Eugenio Barba. Students should emerge from this class with a stronger understanding of the ways in which physicality and character are linked, and practical training in the use of masks. Prerequisite: DRA 117 or permission of the instructor.
DRA 315 The Company
An intensive, Centre term course aimed at producing a piece of theatre.
Instructor and students work together on an agreed theatrical outcome
and are responsible for all aspects of their own performance.
DRA 318 Directing
A study of the role of the director in the theatrical process. Students
study and practice rehearsal techniques, blocking, movement, and production
methods. They also investigate the process of other directors. Students
are expected to mount a short production at the end of the course. Prerequisite:
DRA 117 or permission of the instructor.
DRA 320-329 Advanced Topics in Performance
Courses designed to provide students with an opportunity to do advanced
research and practical work in a performance area such as acting, vocal
techniques, audition techniques and stage combat, etc. Prerequisite: DRA
117.
2006-2007 Topic
DRA 324 Shakespeare in Performance: Approaching Classical Texts
Performing classical work demands both an athletic and academic approach in order to communicate a full performance to the audience. The course covers language, verse and text analysis for clues to performance, as well as vocal and physical training. Coursework includes vocal exercises and yoga, as well as monologue and scene work from Shakespeare, culminating in a scene showing at the end of the term. The goal of the class is for students to come away with an understanding of how to approach performing classical work with confidence (and a set of monologues for audition purposes!). Prerequisite: DRA 117 or permission of the instructor.
DRA 330 Playwriting
A study of the creative process of writing a play, emphasizing plot
and character development. Secondary emphasis is placed on experimentation
with forms of drama and styles of playwriting. Students are required to
write a one-act play.
DRA 331 Shakespeare-I
A study of the development of Shakespeare as dramatist, with emphasis
on the earlier histories and the romantic comedies. (Also listed as ENG
301).
DRA 332 Shakespeare-II
A study of the mature Shakespeare, the tragedies and romances, with
emphasis on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. (Also listed as ENG
302)
DRA 338 Introduction to Drama and Theater
A survey of the elements of drama and theater manifested by both text
and performance. This course is taught off-campus in London or New York,
or another major metropolitan theatre center.
DRA 340-349 Studies in Dramatic History and Literature
Courses in specific national or cultural movements or practitioners
in dramatic literature and history from ancient times to the present.
Prerequisite: DRA 133 & 134.
2006-2007 Topic
DRA 341 Contemporary London Theatre
A study of the range of contemporary London theatre, from fringe to
the major subsidized repertory companies, through a series of visits to
performances and theatre sites and through lectures, readings, and discussion.
Emphasis on both the texts and their performances. Offered in London.
DRA 350 Design-I
An analysis of the stage production from the scene designer’s
point of view. Emphasis on use of design materials, the ground plan, working
drawings, models, the sketch, and the color rendering. Prerequisite: DRA
150 or permission of instructor.
DRA 351 Design-II
A study of the historic, aesthetic, and technical aspects of stage
lighting design. Emphasis is placed on the technical as a prerequisite
to the aesthetic. Participation in actual performances is an integral
part of the course. Prerequisite: DRA 150 or permission of instructor.
DRA 355 Stage Management
An introduction to the basic practices of stage management. Emphasis
is on the rehearsal and performance duties of the stage manager through
a focus on organizational and management skill training. Prerequisite:
DRA 150 or permission of the instructor.
DRA 356 C.A.D.D. for the Stage
An introduction to Computer Aided Drafting and Design. The course
builds upon the mechanical drawing component of DRA 150. Further work
involves 3-D modeling and creating perspective images of virtual stage
setting. Prerequisite: DRA 150 or permission of the instructor.
DRA 360-369 Studies in Design and Technology
Courses designed to provide students with an opportunity to do advanced
research and practical work within the technical and design aspects of
the production process. Topics may include, but are not limited to, properties
design, computer assisted design, studies in costume design and technology,
advanced stagecraft or advanced stage lighting. Prerequisite DRA 150 or
permission of the instructor.
2006-2007 Topics
DRA 360 Video Production and Acting for the Camera
The course has a dual focus: Introduction to video production (using Final Cut) and acting for the camera. Students produce, edit, and perform in short digital videos during the term.
DRA 361 Video Production and Acting for the Camera-II
A continuation of DRA 360 where students advance and refine their skills in producing, editing, and performing in digital videos using Final Cut . Students serve as team leaders in early assignments and undertake tutorial presentations to beginning students on storyboarding, timeline creation, sound editing, and other relevant topics. Prerequisite: DRA 360 or permission of the instructor.
DRA 362 Costume Design
Through analysis of dramatic text, character study, and research, students design costumes for the stage. Emphasis is on developing the design idea and less so on the ability to render. Designs are presented in multiple media: watercolor, pencil, collage, and acrylic. Little experience with these media is necessary. Prerequisite: DRA 150, ARS 110, or permission of the instructor.
DRA 500 Senior Seminar
A capstone class for dramatic arts majors that requires students to
synthesize their experiences in dramatic theory and literature and in
theatre performance and production. Assignments might center upon dramaturgy,
dramatic theory and criticism, analysis for acting or directing, or production
design. Seminar students prepare a portfolio presentation that summarizes
their experience and their current vision of the theatre. The class also
includes a component in resume preparation and professional presentation.
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