All courses listed may not be offered each year. Lists of courses available in any given year may be obtained from the School of Drama office.

DRA 131, 132, 133: Technical Theatre (2 credits per term)
A series of three introductory courses in costuming, lighting and scenery. Students learn the use of equipment and basic construction techniques. Skills and knowledge gained in technical theatre classes are used in crew assignments for School of Drama productions. All first-year drama students have production crew assignments.

DRA 330: Production Work (Directing Option) (1 credit per term)
Students will analyze each aspect of production in terms of directing. In a seminar situation students will also create a production book for a specific play selected by the instructor.

DRA 151, 152, 153: Acting I (2 credits per term)
DRA 251, 252, 253: Acting II (2 credits per term)
DRA 351, 352, 353: Acting III (2 credits per term)
These are core courses in the School of Drama. In Studio 1, the student is encouraged to examine the craft of acting through improvisation, text analysis and basic acting. Studio 2 begins work which is continued in Studio 3. Each term’s study is used to reveal problems of acting in various styles, i.e., Modern American, Realism, Restoration Comedy, etc. The student is presented with a comprehensive view of his/her craft and its traditions. Each term culminates in rehearsal and performance. The teaching associated with the core courses is designed to develop creativity and imagination while providing a sound technique with which the actor learns to control his or her performance. The balance between “instinct” and “craft” is an important part of this course.

DRA 161, 162, 163: Voice and Speech I (2 credits per term)
DRA 261, 262, 263: Voice and Speech II (2 credits per term)
DRA 361, 362, 363: Voice and Speech III (2 credits per term)
These classes begin with a basic understanding of voice and speech. Vocal techniques are developed with the help of the Alexander Technique. The creative and interpretive use of the voice is explored; verse and dialect are studied and coaching is given when necessary. These classes support the work done in the acting core courses.

DRA 264, 265, 266: Singing Class (1 credit per term)
All students take singing classes. These include chorus work, reading of music and voice production.

DRA 364, 365, 366: Singing Class (1 credit per term)
Vocal production continued; musical theatre course work.

DRA 171, 172, 173: Movement I (2 credits per term)
DRA 271, 272, 273: Movement II (2 credits per term)
DRA 371, 372, 373: Movement III (2 credits per term)
The movement training is designed to produce flexible, strong, well-coordinated bodies which will respond easily and readily to the creative demands of acting. Specific topics include theatre movement, period/style, mask, mime, physical comedy, combat, fencing, gymnastics, jazz dance, tap dance and modern dance.

DRA 180: Special Techniques (2 credits per term)
DRA 280: Special Techniques (2 credits per term)
DRA 380: Special Techniques (2 credits per term)
These courses include special classes designed to give students added insight and experience in areas not normally included in traditional acting classes. Special topics may include: character mask, audition techniques, makeup, directing projects and period/style.

DRA 198: Special Topics (1 credit per term)
This may include research in the source of language and vocabulary. The creative energy of language in communication is explored in texts of non-dramatic material as well as classic material. It may also include an introduction to the phonetic alphabet as a means of heightening the perceptions of sound and pronunciation. This course touches on the philosophic, creative and physical aspects of language. Language formation with emphasis on non-dramatic texts and phonetics is explored.

DRA 290: Rehearsal and Performance (2 credits per term)
DRA 390: Rehearsal and Performance (2 credits per term)
Faculty and guest directors use the rehearsal period and performance to extend training. During the rehearsal period, the actor is taught to develop a responsible, professional attitude and approach to the work. The actor learns to maintain a spontaneous and disciplined performance through the run of the production.

DRA 399: Fundamentals of Directing (Directing Option) (2 credits per term)
Directing students will attend all drama productions, workshops and forums; visit museums and art exhibits as assigned; attend music and dance concerts; write evaluation papers; and do assigned field work and scene work. In the spring term, directing students will direct a one-act play.

DRA 499: Rehearsal and Performance (12 credits per term)
In the final year of training, skills of working as an ensemble and artistic independence are developed. Fourth-year students present a season of classical and contemporary plays. In addition, master classes by distinguished members of the profession are given. Graduating students are presented in New York to management, agents and casting directors for theatre, film and television.

DRA 499: Advanced Directing (Directing Option) (12 credits per term)
The fourth-year director is guided toward independent development in various directing projects and scene work. Directing students will continue to have all the requirements demanded in DRA 399. In addition, fourth-year directors will assist guest directors in preparation and rehearsal of major productions, and will be responsible for the preparation and direction of the first act of a three-act play in the spring term, and the presentation of a non-dramatic performance piece during Intensive Arts. Student directors participate in seminars with guest artists and master teachers.

DRA 599: Intensive Arts (2 credits per term)
At the end of the fall term, all students participate in Intensive Arts, a two-week period in which adventurous creativity is stressed. Students are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary studies and to develop individual creative projects.

All courses listed may not be offered each year. Lists of courses available in any given year may be obtained from the School of Drama office.

DRA 031, 032, 033: Technical Theatre
An introduction to costuming, lighting and scenery. Students learn the use of equipment and basic construction techniques.

DRA 051, 052, 053: Acting Fundamentals
This course begins the process of developing a genuine understanding of the actor's craft. The course explores techniques and theories essential to theatrical performance. Topics include improvisation, fundamentals of acting, scene study and scene presentation.

DRA 061, 062, 063: Fundamentals of Voice and Speech
This course begins the process of building the student's voice for the stage. Classes in breathing, release of tension, voice placement and elimination of regionalism are designed to free the natural sound and develop awareness of the voice as a creative, expressive instrument. The Alexander Technique is introduced as dialects. Speech classes are designed to develop precision of articulation and to correct faulty pronunciation.

DRA 064, 065, 066: Fundamentals of Singing
This course is designed to develop relaxation, breathing, balance and posture to train the ear and teach music fundamentals.

DRA 071, 072, 073: Fundamentals of Movement
This course is designed to begin the process of developing an awareness of expressive artistic movement. Topics may include jazz dance, theatre movement, mime and pantomime, gymnastics and physical conditioning.

DRA 080: Special Techniques
This course includes special classes designed to give students insight and experience in areas not normally dealt with in traditional acting classes. Topics may include mask, period and style, audition techniques, stage combat, makeup, clowning skills, directing, writing projects and film and television fundamentals.

DRA 090: Rehearsal and Performance
Students will perform a project which they have developed. The rehearsal period and performance are used by faculty to extend the training. During the rehearsal period, the actor is helped to develop a responsible, professional attitude and approach to work. The actor is encouraged to progress toward a spontaneous and disciplined performance through the run of the production.

DRA 098: Introduction to NCSA
All new high school students are required to participate in this course, which is an extended orientation to NCSA. The academic, artistic, and social aspects of the campus community are explored. Pass/Fail.

DRA 599: Intensive Arts
At the end of Fall term, all students participate in Intensive Arts, a two-week period in which adventurous creativity is stressed. Students are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary studies and to develop individual creative projects.