Drama Program: Undergraduate Program
Major in Drama
The major in drama provides a balanced mix of study and practice,
understanding and process, thinking and doing. It demands a great deal
of, and gives much to, students in the development of creativity, teamwork,
adaptability, and critical thinking. A drama major is one of the best
preparations for a variety of careers, including business, government,
law, journalism, the natural and social sciences, economics, and literature,
the fine arts, even medicine. It also provides useful skills for graduate
school or professional training and work in a theatre arts specialization.
Drama majors often complete double majors in combination with many other
departments and programs.
The drama major consists of eleven course credits in the department and related requirements, as follows:
- Five courses in history literature and/or theory of drama, four of which are required: Drama 1 (Comedy & Tragedy), DR 4 (Modern Drama), DR 137 (Theatre and Society I: Prehistory through the Renaissance), and DR 138 (Theatre and Society II: The Early Modern Period). The fifth course is an elective from an approved list.
- DR 17: Theatre Technology.
- A design course chosen from the following offerings: DR 18 (Lighting Design), DR 125 (Scene Design), or DR 126 (Costume Design).
- Two course credits in acting/directing/movement or studio dance/voice.
- Two electives in the student's area of interest (at least one of which must be an upper-level course). A maximum of one course credit of DR 80 or 81 may be applied towards the major.
- A 0-credit run crew (ASM, light board operator, sound board operator, costume crew, deck crew, house management).
- A 0-credit run prep crew consisting of 30 hours of production prep work a given semester (not on a given show).
- We expect each Drama major to gain experience in the creative aspects of drama and/or dance through involvement in the production program of the university. Graduation magna cum laude or summa cum laude with a drama major is contingent not only on scholastic achievement, but also on significant participation in productions.
Please note: Students considering a drama major will find it advantageous to complete Drama 1, the crew requirement, and an introductory-level course in either studio dance/acting or design/technology by the end of the sophomore year. This will allow greater flexibility in scheduling coursework and more opportunities for advanced-level production responsibilities.
We strongly recommended that students who plan to pursue professional training or graduate study take more than the minimum number course credits, especially in their area of specialization.
Minor in Drama
The minor consists of a minimum of five courses taken in the department
(or 4.5 if dance), in a plan approved by the designated minor advisor.
Two courses must be taken in literature/history (selected from Drama
1, 137, 138; Dance 70, 195), or one course of literature/history and
one credit of dance theory (Dance 117 with a prerequisite of Dance 51
or consent), or selected special topics courses. Only one studio dance
repeat can be applied to the minor.
Review information on
requirements for a Dance minor >
Interdisciplinary Minor in Multimedia Arts
The interdisciplinary minor in multimedia arts is offered by the Departments
of Art and Art History, Drama and Dance, Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science, and Music. Please see Multimedia Arts
for more information. Further details are available at the offices of
participating departments.
Interdisciplinary Minor in Film Studies
Please see Communications and Media Studies for more
information.
Admissions
Please see the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions for more information.