Course Descriptions
DRAM 101 History of Theatre (3 units)
Discover theatre throughout the ages: Ancient Greek, Medieval, Renaissance, Neoclassical, Modern, and Contemporary. Discover major developments in theatre from centuries past, and how they related to the cultural, political and social conditions of their time. Read & analyze plays from the canon, recognizing their historic relevance while encountering famous characters and discovering the structure of their stories. Study theatre architecture & stage design, learn about major historical figures, and explore theatre’s dynamic role in both historic and contemporary society.
DRAM 140 Introduction to the Theatre (3 units)
Discover the world of theatre - its process, people, performances, audiences, and its dynamic relationship with society. Engage in creative and research projects in acting, playwriting, directing, and design. Experience theatre's diversity, from edgy dramas to splashy Broadway musicals. Read plays, see film adaptations of stage scripts, examine dramatic criticism.
DRAM 150 Script Analysis (3 units)
An introduction to the reading and analysis of scripts, and the different ways in which critics, directors, actors, and designers approach them. Read classic and contemporary plays, discover the creative mechanisms behind effective drama, and explore realistic and non-realistic work. Research playwrights and their process. Interpret, explore, and analyze some of the most influential and exciting work in theatre history.
DRAM 151 Introduction to Shakespeare I (3 units)
Equivalent to LIT. 151. Study of a chronological sequence of Shakespeare's plays, including works in different genres, and a selection of his sonnets and longer poetry. Reading, discussion, critical papers. The course also covers Shakespeare's role in the development of English language and literature, and his connection to contemporary political and social issues.
DRAM 160 Latin American Theatre (3 units)
Discover the rich history of Latino Theatre in the United States. Explore the Spanish and indigenous roots of Latin American theatre. Learn about El Teatro Campesino's powerful role in organizing the farm workers of the 1960's. Read and analyze plays written by contemporary Latino, Cuban, and Puerto Rican playwrights, and study the relationship between those plays and the societies from which they emerge.
DRAM 200 Acting I: Acting For the Stage and the Camera (3 units)
Explore the theory of the fundamentals of acting. Discover the history of Method Acting, and the sometimes complementary, sometimes competing theories of its founders. Test theories in practice through theatre games, acting exercises, improvisation, and movement for both stage and screen. Learn and apply fundamental acting vocabulary.
DRAM 201 Acting II (3 units)
Continue developing performance skills through methods and techniques explored in DRAM 200. Take on longer and more challenging monologues and scenes, including non-realistic and classical texts, and ten-minute plays. Deepen emotional authenticity and refine creative expression. Develop more thorough text-based critical analysis.
DRAM 233 Introduction to New Play Development (3 units)
Learn about ensemble-based theatre: its history, how it's done, and what makes it so unique and exciting. Engage in the theatrical disciplines of playwriting, acting, and directing. Analyze, improvise, and experiment with new play scripts. Write, direct and perform student-written plays in the end-of-semester Student One Act Festival or online as a radio drama.
DRAM 300.1 Rehearsal and Performance I (3 units)
Perform in a departmental production of either a live show or a radio play. Develop your skills as an actor, and as a member of an ensemble that pools its talents, energies, and resources together in a collective effort to build, develop, market, and manage the complex and demanding challenge that is a dramatic production.
DRAM 300.2 Rehearsal and Performance II (3 units)
Continuation of DRAM 300.1. Perform in a departmental production of a live show or a radio play. Develop your skills as an actor, and as a member of an ensemble that pools its talents, energies, and resources together in a collective effort to build, develop, market, and manage the production.
DRAM 300.3 Rehearsal and Performance III (3 units)
Continuation of DRAM 300.2. Perform in a departmental production of a live show or a radio play. Develop your skills as an actor at an intermediate-advanced level, and as a member of an ensemble that pools its talents, energies, and resources together in a collective effort to build, develop, market, and manage the production.
DRAM 300.4 Rehearsal and Performance IV (3 units)
Continuation of DRAM 300.3. Perform in a departmental production of a live show or a radio play. Develop your skills as an actor at an advanced level, and as a member of an ensemble that pools its talents, energies, and resources together in a collective effort to build, develop, market, and manage the production.
DRAM 305 Technical Production I (3 units)
Introduces students to play production techniques, procedures, and crafts. Topics include set design and construction, lighting design and implementation, building props, shop procedures, stage management, light and sound board programming and operation, and backstage operations. Student assignments support the DRAM 300 and DRAM 233 productions.
DRAM 695 Independent Study (0.5- 3 units)
Designed for students who are interested in furthering their knowledge via self-paced, individualized instruction provided in selected areas or directed study to be arranged with instructor and approved by the division dean using the Independent Study Form. Varying modes of instruction can be used -- laboratory, research, skill development, etc. For each unit earned, students are required to devote three hours per week throughout the semester. Students may take only one Independent Study course within a given discipline.