Drama
The USAO Drama program requires a minimum of 42 hours for the Performance Concentration, 48 hours for the Technical Theatre Concentration, and 48 hours for the Music Theatre Concentration.
Bachelor of Arts in Drama
Required Drama Core (21 hours):
| Course | Title | Hours Required |
| DRAM 1103 | Introduction to the Theatre | 3 |
| DRAM 1303 | Introduction to Dramatic Literature | 3 |
| DRAM 1403 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| DRAM 1801 | Theatre Lab (must be taken 3 times) | 3 |
| DRAM 2113 | Acting | 3 |
| DRAM 3203 | Development of the Theatre | 3 |
| DRAM 3423 | Principles of Design | 3 |
Performance Concentration
Required Drama Core (21 hours), plus
Required Concentration Courses (21 hours):
| Course | Title | Hours Required |
| DRAM 2103 | Oral Interpretation and Reader's Theatre | 3 |
| DRAM 2213 | Advanced Acting | 3 |
| DRAM 3553 | Directing | 3 |
| DRAM 3533 | Modern Continental Drama | 3 |
|
or |
||
| DRAM 4273 | Modern American Drama | 3 |
+ 9 hours of recommended electives from technical theatre, musical theatre, or other supporting areas such as art, music, or philosophy.
Technical Theatre Concentration
Required Drama Core (21 hours), plus
Required Concentration Courses (27 hours):
| DRAM 3533 | Modern Continental Drama | 3 |
|
or |
||
| DRAM 4273 | Modern American Drama | 3 |
| DRAM 4383 | Problems in Technical Theatre | 9 |
|
(to be taken 3 times for practical experience in costume, stage lighting, and production design) |
||
+ 15 hours of recommended electives from performance, musical theatre, or supporting areas such as art, music, or philosophy.
Musical Theatre Concentration
Required Drama Core (21 hours), plus
Required Concentration Courses (27 hours):
| DRAM 4103 | American Musical Theatre | 3 |
| DRAM 4902 | WS: Musical Theatre Performance | 3 |
| MUSC 1114 | Materials I | 4 |
| Musc 1203 | Introduction to Music Literature | 3 |
| MUSC 1051 | Concert Choir (to be taken twice) | 2 |
| MUSC 1031 | Class Piano (to be taken twice) | 2 |
| MUSC 4901 | Small Ensembles | 2 |
| plus | ||
| Private Voice | 2 |
+ 6 hours of recommended electives from performance concentration, technical theatre concentration, or supporting areas such as art or music.
+ Recommended Electives:
| ART 1003 | Beginning Drawing Studio I | 3 |
| ART 1112 | Design & Composition Studio I | 3 |
| COMM 1123 | Voice & Diction | 3 |
| ENGL 3003 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| DRAM 1801 | Theatre Lab (in addition to required core) | 1-3 |
| DRAM 3533 | Modern Continental Drama | 3 |
| DRAM 4273 | Modern American Drama | 3 |
| DRAM 4493 | Seminar in Dramatic Literature | 3 |
| DRAM 4900 | Workshop (with proper approval) | 1-6 |
| DRAM 4990 | Tutorial (with proper approval) | 1-4 |
| MUSC 1102 | Music Fundamentals | 2 |
| MUSC 1124 | Materials II | 4 |
| MUSC 3313 | Music History II | 3 |
|
or additional performance classes in piano or voice. |
||
COURSE LISTINGS in DRAMA
1103 INTRODUCTION TO THE THEATRE
A basic survey of the arts and crafts of the theatre. Included will
be lecture and
discussion of acting,
directing, stagecraft, scene design, lighting, costuming, aesthetics, theatre
careers, and the basic forms, styles, and types of drama. 3 hours.
1303 INTRODUCTION TO DRAMATIC LITERATURE
A survey of the drama from Ancient Greece to the present. Lecture and
discussion of assigned plays representative of the major types, styles,
and historical periods of drama. 3 hours.
1403 STAGECRAFT
The basics of scenery construction, planning and handling; working with
tools; painting techniques; forms and styles of scenery; architectural
trim, and the functions and relationships of scenery to the theatrical
production. 3 hours.
1801 THEATRE LAB
Laboratory work with USAO Drama productions in any of the technical
or non-technical areas. 1 hour (may be repeated for total of 6 hours credit
toward the major).
2103 ORAL INTERPRETATION AND READER'S THEATRE
The study of literature through the medium of oral performance, designed
to develop interpretive skills-voice, facial expression, gesture-in order
to communicate the student's intellectual and emotional perceptions of
literary material. This course also serves as an introduction to Reader's
Theatre, a communal medium wherein two or more interpreters communicate
directly to an audience. 3 hours.
2113 ACTING
Application of the basic principles of acting and the development of
basic acting techniques. Training through lectures, class improvisations,
scene work, and play analysis. 3 hours.
2213 ADVANCED ACTING
Advanced characterization work with more difficult styles and types
of plays; and the study of period styles in acting through scene work from
period plays. 3 hours. Prerequisite: DRAM 2113.
2880 SPECIAL TOPICS
Special topics in the area of drama. 1-4 hours (may be repeated for
total of 6 hours).
2900 WORKSHOP
A guided study in drama under faculty supervision. Topics and methods
of instruction may vary. Course may be repeated for a total of six hours
of credit
with a change in topic
and enrollment. 1-4 hours.
2990 TUTORIAL
An independent study in drama under faculty supervision. 1-4 hours (may
be repeated for total of 9 hours with change in title and content).
3203 DEVELOPMENT OF THE THEATRE
A survey of the growth and development of the theatre from its beginnings
to its current state with consideration of dramatic literature, the physical
theatre, style of presentation, and social significance of the theatre.
3 hours.
3423 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: SCENERY, COSTUMES, MAKEUP, LIGHTING
A study of the principles inherent in the various visual arts that are
employed in translating a play from the printed page into a live production.
Included are electrical and design principles of the modern stage and operation
of sound effects. 2 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab. 3 hours.
3533 MODERN CONTINENTAL DRAMA
A study in the rise of realism and the resulting developments of naturalism,
symbolism, expressionism, impressionism, and other theatre styles. 3 hours.
3553 DIRECTING
Exploration of the rise of the director as a central creative force
in contemporary theatre, plus direct and practical experience in the art
and craft of directing. 3 hours. Prerequisite: DRAM 2113.
4103 THE AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE
A study of the nature of the American musical designed primarily for
the music-theatre specialist; includes the evolution of the American musical,
the principal works written for the musical theatre, and a familiarization
with the unique musical and dramatic techniques involved in staging a work
in this medium. 3 hours.
4273 MODERN AMERICAN DRAMA
A study of the development of American theatre and drama from 1700-1950.
3 hours.
4383 PROBLEMS IN TECHNICAL THEATRE
A course designed to allow the student to study in greater depth one
or more of the areas covered in DRAM 3423. 3 hours (may be repeated for
total of 9 hours with different title and content).
4453 SEMINAR IN MUSIC-THEATRE REPERTORY
Selected areas of American and foreign music-theatre, including operettas,
operas, film musicals, traditional musical comedies, plus current Broadway,
Off-Broadway, and West End musical productions. Areas of concentration
will vary/ 3 hours (may be repeated for total of 6 hours with change in
title and content).
4493 SEMINAR IN DRAMATIC LITERATURE
3 hours (may be repeated for total of 9 hours with change in title and
content).
4880 SPECIAL TOPICS
Special topics in drama. 1-4 hours (may be repeated for total of 6 hours).
4900 WORKSHOP
Principles of administering professional and nonprofessional theatre
production; organizational as well as creative talent in technical areas;
advanced technical supervision and production design. 1-6 hours.
4990 TUTORIAL
An independent study in Drama and/or Technical Theatre under faculty
supervision. 1-4 hours (may be repeated for total of 9 hours with change
in title and content.