Delaware County Community College

Course Descriptions

DRA 100 - Introduction to Theatre
DRA 110 - Acting I
DRA 111 - Acting II
DRA 112 - Voice Enhancement
DRA 115 - Set Design and Construction
DRA 120 - Theatre Make-Up
DRA 200 - Modern Drama

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 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 112 - Voice Enhancement

This course develops proficiency in vocal skills through oral interpretation of literature discussion of techniques and general conversations. Emphasis is on improvement of voice quality, articulation, language patterns, volume and rate control, pausing, phrasing and inflection. This is not a remedial speech course.

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

• Control rate, volume and tone of the speaking voice.
• Emphasize at will.
• Use flexible speech patterns.
• Control the speaking voice in a variety of situations.
• Interpret orally poems, works of fiction and nonfiction, and dramatic literature.
• Listen actively in order to evaluate his/her own performance as well as the performance of others.

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

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DRA 115 - Set Design and Construction

This is a workshop course; you will learn by doing. The classroom atmosphere will not be traditional but rather will assume the appearance of a theater workshop where all of the sets and equipment for a stage production can be produced. There is no formalized homework, but students can expect to work a considerable number of hours outside the normal class meeting times. Students have the opportunity to learn how to paint scenic effects, produce stage lighting and sound, and construct flats and special props such as artificial stones, columns and any number of architectural details. Students must attend all rehearsals and performances where they will serve as a member of the stage crew or the lighting and sound crew.

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.
• Build a simple "flat."
• Paint simple scenic effects, such as rocks, wood, texture, etc.
• Orchestrate the movements of a stage crew to efficiently remove and erect stage sets before, during and after performances.
• Operate a basic lighting control board and sound equipment on cue.

Prerequisite: Eligibility for English Composition I (ENG 100). May be taken twice for credit.

3 hours each week plus production time 3 credits.

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DRA 120 - Theatre Make-Up

Students learn the principles and acquire the skills of theatrical make-up design and application. The course provides students with the opportunity to apply both the principles and their acquired skills in make-up design to plays in production.

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

• Distinguish between types of plays and production styles.
• Apply skills of analysis to a play.
• Analyze personalities of characters in a play.
• Plot the role of each character in the over-all analysis of play in production.
• Recognize the relationships between character, costume, set design, lighting design and make-up.
• Apply principles of make-up to given characters.
• Design make-up for characters and plays
• Distinguish between types of make-up and their uses.
• Create a make-up chart.
• Apply make-up.

3 hours each week 3 credits.

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DRA 200 - Modern Drama

This course surveys the theatre of today with a close study of 10 to 12 contemporary plays. Plays are studied from the viewpoint of modern playwrights considering such themes as alienation the impact of technology and futurism. There will be opportunities for theatre attendance. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify the factors that make modern plays applicable to the student's life.
• Recognize in a variety of modern plays contemporary issues in politics, religion, social questions in the play that touch on the student's life.
• Describe the critical theory that every significant event in the world at any time has dramatic value ("A play exists in all human activity." -Brecht).
• Identify the elements that distinguish much modern drama from traditional and classical drama.
• Analyze the structural elements present in all drama: plot, setting, theme, acting, spine and critical issues.
• Describe the significant types of drama that have evolved in the last 30 to 50 years: the plotless play, "avant-garde" theatre, street theatre, theatre of protest, psychodrama and others.
• Interpret the playwright's concern in individual plays the student has encountered as a reader and as a viewer.

3 hours each week 3 credits.

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Programs: Associate Degree

Communication Arts: Theatre Option