An exploration of theatre as a live performing art that seeks to engage, document, and affect communities. Topics may include theatre and society, theatrical representation, performance, and the work of actors, directors, designers, technicians, and playwrights. Opportunities given for practical projects.
A chronological survey of production methods, architecture, performance, and dramatic literature in western and eastern theatre traditions from early classical eras to the end of the 19th century.
Explores collisions between theatre and pop culture in media including film, theatre, pop music, television, and social media. Concepts including but not limited to theatricality, liveness, affect, and performativity will provide students with critical analysis skills applicable to pop culture.
NOTE Also offered online. Consult Arts and Science Online. Learning Hours may vary.
An introduction to the history and theory of theatre conceived for audiences of young people. Students will read a variety of plays intended for young audiences and consider the social and artistic issues associated with various dramatic and theatrical techniques.
NOTE Only offered online. Consult Arts and Science Online.
A seminar or practicum in selected areas of the curriculum.
NOTE Not offered each year. Prerequisites vary depending on specific course content. See Department for details.
A study of applied dramatic literature, including structure, genre, and staging techniques. Students will analyze several plays from various points of view, embracing both theatrical and literary concerns.
Students will examine and critique various styles of stand-up comedy and will work towards creating their own performances that are well-suited to their particular talents.
NOTE Subscription to various websites and streaming services: estimated cost $95.
An introduction to the principles and skills of preparing and delivering effective oral presentations. Using acting techniques and the principles of theatre, students will explore confidence building, vocal and physical dynamics as well as creative expression.
A practical introduction to the fundamental skills and techniques of acting, involving an appreciation of the interdependence of the actor's body, voice, intellect, feeling, and cultural context.
A practical introduction to various theories and styles of acting, involving the exploration of various approaches to the cultural and period context of performance.
NOTE Priority enrolment given to students in a DRAM or STSC/MAPP Plan.
Practical work in selected areas of performance. Not offered every year.
NOTE Priority enrolment given to students in a DRAM Plan.
A theoretical and practical introduction to technical production including various elements of theatre space, design and construction, ground plans, and stage management.
NOTE Design Software (CAD) and/or other materials: estimated cost $25.
NOTE Students in the DRAM Major or a Joint Honours Plan are strongly encouraged to take DRAM 246 in their second year concurrently with DRAM 240.
An examination of design elements in theatrical production, exploring the work of design practitioners and theorists, and studying the design process.
A theoretical and practical introduction to theatre production including various elements of design construction, costume, properties, lighting and sound systems and equipment.
NOTE Costume Construction Fee: estimated cost $35.
A credit/non-credit practicum for 48 hours of extra-curricular work in drama-related fields, including departmental productions.
NOTE Preference will be given to students registered in a DRAM, MAPP, or STSC Plan.
A credit/non-credit practicum for 48 hours of extra-curricular work in drama related fields, including departmental productions.
NOTE Preference will be given to students registered in a DRAM, MAPP, or STSC Plan.
Writing of dramatic exercises and one-act plays accompanied by dramaturgical study of published and original works.
NOTE Priority in the on-campus offering of this course is given to students in a DRAM Plan.
NOTE Also offered online. Consult Arts and Science Online. Learning Hours may vary.
A practical performance course where students will actively explore historical performance styles and conventions. The focus of this course will be the rehearsal of one or more plays to be presented in period acting style and costume as part of England's Medieval Fair at the culmination of the course.
A study of production and performance methods, and dramatic literature of the 20th and 21st centuries.
An exploration of theoretical questions underlying drama and performance throughout their histories. Selected readings, lectures, student presentations, class discussions and contemplation of theatre issues.
A survey of the work of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis playwrights, exploring the stories, concerns and aesthetics of these contemporary theatrical practitioners. Course work involves reading, discussion, and writing descriptively, critically or creatively about selected pieces in artistic, social and/or political contexts.
NOTE Also offered online. Consult Arts and Science Online. Learning Hours may vary.
Our study will trace how theatre artists understand dynamic engagements with "being here" - the cultural contexts and the making of public events. Studying work initiated by writers, performers, and designers, we will investigate how response-ability engages us locally and from coast to coast to coast in Canada in the making of theatre.
The theory and practice of theatre conceived for audiences of young people. The course will begin with an examination of examples of the genre and will culminate in a public performance.
A seminar or workshop in selected areas of the curriculum. Not offered every year, consult the DAN School for more information.
NOTE Subscription to various websites and streaming services: estimated cost $95 (some topic titles do not require this additional fee).
A study of approaches to directing, with examples drawn from both historical and contemporary performance practices. A multiplicity of methodologies, histories, and theoretical approaches to directing will be explored.
Exploration of practical preproduction needs. Topics may include casting, staging, theatre configuration, textual alteration, rehearsal technique, period research, design approaches.
An introduction to playing Shakespeare. Ways of breathing life into the text thereby communicating a character's thoughts, wants and emotional state to an audience will be explored.
An extension of core acting skills and an opportunity to develop an appreciation for performance through the medium of mask.
An introduction to basic on-screen performance techniques. Each student performs behind and in front of the camera although the emphasis is on performance. Acting technique in this course will be centred around the Practical Aesthetics approach to acting.
Practical work in selected areas of performance. Not offered every year, consult the DAN School for more information.
NOTE Materials/Supplies: estimated cost $35 (not every topic title requires this additional fee).
An examination of specific topics in contemporary design practice with special attention to the areas of lighting, costume, and sound design: includes theoretical and practical design projects.
A study of the integration of the elements of design which together contribute to a three-dimensional environment for performance.
Advanced technical production studies involving sound, lighting, stage management, wardrobe, and carpentry. Students will participate in major departmental technical projects.
An introduction to techniques and materials used in designing and building theatrical properties. Students will research, design, and build props. They will work with a range of materials and learn a variety of fabrication techniques, including sculpting, carving, painting, plaster and silicone mold-making and 3D printing.
NOTE Materials/Supplies: estimated cost $35.
Continuation of DRAM 251/3.0. An intermediate study of playwriting and dramaturgy, including exercises in dramatic techniques and composition of original works.
Continuation of DRAM 251*. An intermediate study of playwriting and dramaturgy, including exercises in dramatic techniques and composition of original works.
Intensive study in the mandate and practice of the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Students attend several productions at the Shaw Festival, discussing these in seminars and with guest speakers drawn from the Shaw company where available.
NOTE Taught in Niagara-on-the-Lake during Summer Term. May be taken in conjunction with DRAM 373/3.0. Students are responsible for the costs of transportation, accommodation and Shaw Festival theatre tickets. Costs vary annually and details may be found on the Department website. Estimated $545.00.
Intermediate acting course in which a variety of techniques and exercises will be used to explore selected dramatic texts drawn from the mandate of the Shaw Festival - mainly plays written during the lifetime of George Bernard Shaw (1856 to 1950).
NOTE Taught in Niagara-on-the-Lake during Summer Term. There is a lab fee for this course which includes theatre tickets. Information regarding fee and accommodation is available on the Departmental website.
A survey of selected topics concerning women's participation in international theatre. Emphasis will be on historical, practical and theoretical inquiry and application of feminist methodologies in such work.
Examination of the work of selected playwrights, to include world drama currently or recently produced in the British theatre.
NOTE Offered only at Bader College, Herstmonceux.
Students can apply to undertake a practical internship in theatre production or administration.
NOTE Students will be given a grade of Pass/Fail for work done.
A practicum course amalgamating a variety of aspects of theatre and drama.
A seminar or workshop in selected areas of the curriculum.
NOTE Not offered every year, see Department webpage for details.
Students' directing of short scenes will be the basis of practical exploration of directorial methods.
Research, rehearsal and presentation of a role for performance.
Practical work in selected areas of performance.
NOTE Not offered every year, see Department webpage for details.
This course examines a range of administrative and collaborative skills necessary for producing theatre works. Among the areas that will be defined and discussed are marketing, budgeting, fundraising, staffing, and production management, as applied to a variety of types of organizational contexts (commercial, non-profit, university, and community).
A study of the relationship between the evolving cultural and political milieu and the theatre. Topics may include performance as an act of witness, theatre as a relational and ethical practice, theatre and human rights, theatre and its relationship to stories of violence, activist theatre, and inter- and intra-cultural theatre.
An independent advanced project or thesis in any area of the basic curriculum in drama, supervised and evaluated by faculty.
NOTE In addition to the prerequisites indicated, the School may require a grade of A- in any DRAM course relevant to the subject of study.
An independent advanced project or thesis in any area of the basic curriculum in drama, supervised and evaluated by faculty.
NOTE In addition to the prerequisites indicated, the School may require a grade of A- in any DRAM course relevant to the subject of study.
An independent advanced project in the area of design, supervised and evaluated by faculty.
NOTE The normal classroom time of 36 hours is spread over two terms.
Advanced examination of various roles in technical production, especially production and stage management, over the full year. Practical stage management projects are a component of the course.
NOTE The normal classroom time of 36 hours is spread over two terms.