Anton Dudley

The Play: Production and Performance

DRAM 110

The work of this course involves the realization in the theater of the efforts of an important playwright, as expressed in the text for a particular play. Problems in textual analysis, historical research and the creation of a production lead, by way of independent and cooperative activity involving acting, design and special problems, to public performance before an audience. Note: Students who, in the judgment of the instructional and directorial staff, have made significant creative contributions to the effectiveness of the production will have "audit" indicated on their academic record. No credit is awarded for an audited course.

Introduction to the Theater

DRAM 111

This course examines how theater differs from other arts and how theatrical artists go about their jobs in bringing a play to life on stage. This examination is accomplished through a series of performance or creative assignments. The class is divided into four sections, two meeting in the morning and two in the afternoon. Plays, problems and exercises are performed and discussed in the sectional meetings. Approximately every other week, sections are combined for lectures and demonstrations. The course explores what a play is and how it is structured. Assignments consist of a series of playwriting problems and one acting problem, which students perform in class working in teams. In addition, students read at least five plays and a series of essays about the theory and practice of the theater, complete a series of brief written assignments and take written examinations. As a culmination of the work, each student writes, directs and presents a final short play to the class, working with fellow students. Any student with a general interest in the theater will find this a challenging course, regardless of previous experience. Because this course is an introduction to the arts of the theater, it is a prerequisite to many other courses in the department. Required for drama or film majors. No prerequisite. Offered every year.

Foundations of Drama, Part I

DRAM 210

This course surveys the history of Western dramatic literature from Ancient Greece through the end of the English Restoration, roughly 1700. The emphasis is on critical reading for a theatrical understanding of these seminal texts. This course consists of lecture, discussions sessions and critical writing assignments. Required for drama majors. Prerequisite: DRAM 111.

Modern Drama

DRAM 255

This course studies the major theatrical movements of the first half of the 20th century, emphasizing plays as they were performed in the theater of the time. Work will include readings, discussions, written assignments, projects and lectures. This counts toward the stage and its plays requirement for the major. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Generally offered every third year.

The Director

DRAM 261

This course examines the work of the director, starting with the visual aspects of storytelling and moving into the analysis of plays and how to make them legible on stage. Work includes directed scenes, exercises, written assignments, readings, discussion and lectures. This counts toward the elements requirement for the major. Prerequisite: DRAM 111. Generally offered every year.

Directing

DRAM 261

This course examines the work of the director, starting with the visual aspects of storytelling and moving into the analysis of plays and how to make them legible on stage. Work includes directed scenes, exercises, written assignments, readings, discussion and lectures. This counts toward the elements requirement for the major. Prerequisite: DRAM 111. Generally offered every year.

Special Topic

DRAM 291

Advanced Directing

DRAM 362

This course continues an investigation, from the director's point of view, of the creation of live theater from dramatic texts. Students will direct scenes and excerpts from a broad range of texts including contemporary realist and non-realist plays, verse plays, and new works. We will emphasize the role of the director in collaboration with actors as well as other key relationships such as those with designers and playwrights. Work will include directed projects, written assignments and reading. This counts toward the elements requirement for the major and an elective for the film major. Prerequisite: DRAM 261. Generally offered every other year.

ST: Solo Performance

DRAM 491

Individual Study

DRAM 493

Individual study in drama is reserved for students exploring a topic not regularly offered in the department's curriculum. Typically, the course will carry .5 unit of credit. To enroll in an individual study, a student must identify a member of the department willing to direct the project and, in consultation with him or her, write a proposal. The department chair must approve the proposal. The one- to two-page proposal should include a preliminary bibliography and/or set of specific problems, goals and tasks for the course; outline a schedule of reading and/or writing assignments or creative undertakings and describe the methods of assessment (e.g., a journal to be submitted for evaluation weekly, a one-act play due at semester's end, with drafts due at given intervals, and so on). The student also should briefly describe prior coursework which qualifies him or her for this independent project. At a minimum, the department expects the student to meet regularly with the instructor one hour per week and to submit an amount of work equivalent to that required in 300-level dance and drama courses. Students are urged to begin discussion of their proposed individual study the semester before they hope to enroll, so that they can devise a proposal and seek departmental approval before the deadline.