Delaware County Community College

Course Descriptions

DRA 100 - Introduction to Theatre
DRA 105 - Acting Shakespeare Special Studies
DRA 110 - Acting I
DRA 111 - Acting II
DRA 113 - Introduction to Educational Theater
DRA 116 - Stagecraft
DRA 130 - Voice and Movement

DRA 100 - Introduction to Theatre

This course surveys the world's dramatic literature by concentrating on text analysis of a representative sample of plays of varying periods (ancient classical, modern) and types (tragedy, comedy, drama). Emphasis is placed on the plays in performance. Field trips to theatrical productions may be scheduled. This is not an acting course. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify through the development of theatre the social, cultural, economic, religious and political forces that have shaped the student's world.
• Identify positive values through attending plays that will broaden and enrich the student's life.
• Develop and expand the student's sensory perception through the critical reading of play texts.
• Write and present oral critiques of plays seen and studied, using standards of drama criticism that enlarge the student's appreciation of the art form.
• Apply theatre attendance in life as a continuing educational experience that enhances career aspirations and broadens cultural perspective.

Prerequisite: Satisfactory scores on placement tests in English and reading or successful completion of both Developmental English (ENG 050) and Developmental Reading (REA 050).3 hours each week 3 credits.

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DRA 105 - Acting Shakespeare Special Studies

Acting Shakespeare is designed with the knowledge that the plays of Shakespeare were written to be spoken aloud, by actors on a stage. This course will investigate the plays of Shakespeare with that reality in mind, and introduce students to the myriad techniques Shakespeare used in his writing which assist the actor in the performance of his characters and the onstage telling of his stories. Acting and performance techniques from Shakespeare’s day to the present will be explored through vocal and movement exercises. Students are required to read several Shakespearean plays and to analyze the texts with the goal of performing monologues and scenes from those plays. Plays in performance will be emphasized and students will watch filmed stage productions. Students will be required to see a live theatrical production of a Shakespearean play when possible. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate, through text analysis and performance, an understanding of the fundamentals of Shakespeare’s verse and prose and how these relate to the acting of those texts.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of acting techniques which have been applied to the works of Shakespeare throughout history.
• Create a physical and psychological Shakespearean character and communicate that character’s needs and intentions through performance.
• Effectively use vocal techniques to bring Shakespeare’s words, rhythms, and imagery to life.
• Work within a group and show an awareness of ensemble dynamics and cooperation.
• Have an increased appreciation for Shakespeare’s plays on the page and in performance and apply theatre attendance in life as a continual educational experience.

3 hours each week 3 credits.

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DRA 110 - Acting I

This acting course is designed to provide students with the basic rudiments of acting. Emphasis is on movement breathing, voice (diction, projection, emphasis, interpretation), and script and character analysis. Students are required to read several plays and to attend at least two performances at area theaters. The hour TBA is provided for rehearsals. Theatre majors are encouraged to take DRA 100 in conjunction with this course as it provides insight into script analysis and staging practices.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe the procedure for bringing a written script to performance.
  
• Demonstrate basic voice and movement techniques.
  
• Evaluate acting techniques.
  
• Recognize the various components of an artistic endeavor, including the roles of self-discipline, motivation, flexibility, cooperation and creativity.
  
• Perform short monologues and dialogues.

Prerequisite: Eligibility for English Composition I (ENG 100).

2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory each week
(one hour TBA) 3 credits.

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DRA 111 - Acting II

Acting II is a continuation of Acting I. In this course students refine skills they developed in Acting I and continue to explore the acting process through readings, theatre attendance and performance work. Emphasis is on character development through improvisation, script analysis, movement and scene projects. Students also examine the role of imagination, perception and creativity in acting.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify period acting styles.
• Demonstrate physical and aesthetic awareness of acting techniques.
• Demonstrate an understanding of character interpretation through movement and voice control.
• Work effectively with others on acting projects.
• Demonstrate imaginative and creative talents through the actualization of theoretical concepts of acting.

Prerequisite: Acting I (DRA 110) or comparable experience.

2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory each week (one hour TBA) 3 credits.

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DRA 113 - Introduction to Educational Theater

This course is designed to introduce students to educational theater. Emphasis is on creating drama in the classroom integrating educational theater practices into lesson plans using educational theater techniques to engage with learning. Students are required to create lesson plans, lead classes, and design workshops which use educational theater techniques in the teaching of various subjects.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Design lesson plans for English, Science, History, Math and Art classes that integrate educational theater into the classroom activities
• Demonstrate educational theater practices by leading a workshop or lesson that the student has created
• Demonstrate knowledge of different educational theater techniques such as “Experts”, in role playing, creating drama, creative play, and Augusto Boal’s techniques of the Theater of the Oppressed
• Create children’s theater performance and workshop for area schools

Prerequisite: Satisfactory scores on placement tests in English and reading or successful completion of both Developmental English (ENG 050) and Developmental Reading (REA 050).

3 hours each week 3 credits.

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DRA 116 - Stagecraft

This is a workshop course; you will learn by doing. Students have the opportunity to learn how to paint scenic effects, design stage lighting and sound, and construct basic set pieces and architectural details. Students will also learn the basics of costume and makeup design and apply those basic concepts, creating costumes and applying makeup designs such as corrective makeup and old-age. Students must attend all rehearsals and performances where they will serve as members of the stage crew or the lighting and sound crew. Students can expect to work a considerable number of hours outside the normal classroom meeting time.

Upon successful completion this course, students should be able to:

• Design a simple stage set.
• Design basic stage lighting.
• Use basic carpenter's tools safely and with precision.
• Paint simple scenic effects, such as rocks, wood, texture, etc.
• Operate a basic lighting control board and sound equipment on cue.
• Apply basic and old-age makeup
• Apply scars and bruises using makeup techniques learned in class.
• Demonstrate knowledge of period makeup, hair, and costumes.
• Design costumes for a specific play from concept to final design.
• Create makeup and hair design for specific play.

Prerequisite: Satisfactory scores on placement tests in English and reading or successful completion of both Developmental English (ENG 050) and Developmental Reading (REA 050).

3 hours each week plus production time 3 credits.

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DRA 130 - Voice and Movement

Voice and Movement is designed to introduce students to major vocal and movement techniques and practices used by professionals such as actors to maximize their effectiveness as public speakers and to create vibrant, multi-faceted characters for stage and film. This course teaches the inner workings of the human voice and the processes of articulation used to speak and pronounce sounds, and will emphasize the effective use of such techniques as proper breathing, stress, inflection, vocal quality, focus, rate of speech and pace, and others. Students will also learn various movement techniques such as gesture, mime, Alexander technique, Viewpoints, and the Suzuki method. The class will investigate the body/voice connection, and how these techniques work together in public speaking and in the creation of a stage or film character.

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

• Describe the physical actions and anatomical parts of the body used to produce sound and speech.
• Demonstrate in performance a knowledge of the different styles and methods of physical movement used in the art of speaking and acting.
• Apply tools and concepts learned to create an effective public speaking voice.
• Analyze a script or speech to identify rhetorical devices and rhythms of speech.
• Create a physical and vocal description of a theatrical character based on analysis of a script.
• Apply methods and techniques learned to manipulate the voice and physicality of the body in the creation and performance of a theatrical character.
• Work within a group and demonstrate an awareness of ensemble dynamics and cooperation.
• Distinguish between types of make-up and their uses.

3 hours each week 3 credits.

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Programs: Associate Degree

Communication Arts: Theatre Option