The A.B. degree in Dramatic Art provides students with an appreciation for and understanding of performance and its role in culture and society and provides a strong foundation in all aspects of drama, theater, and dance performance and production. While this is not a pre-professional program with a high degree of specialization, students can build significant skills in specific areas as well as achieving the broad goals of the degree.
Productions and Facilities. Productions each year are separated into two "seasons." The University Theatre Season usually consists of five or six major productions of established plays and dance productions. The Studio Season consists of smaller productions of new student-written plays and established plays. Also included in the production program are occasional major presentations of an experimental works and many class-related projects.
Career Alternatives. The program enables students to pursue a variety of opportunities after graduation, including graduate education, public sector arts employment, advanced professional training programs, and, in some cases, professional work.
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | 26 | |
| Dramatic Art 20, 24, 25, 26 | 14 | |
| Dramatic Art 21A or 14 | 4 | |
| Additional units to achieve a total of 26 lower division units chosen from Dramatic Art 21B, 40A, 40B, 41A, 41B, 98, 99, African American and African Studies 51 or courses in other departments with adviser's approval. | ||
| Depth Subject Matter | 40 | |
| Dramatic Art 127A, 127B, 156A, 156B, 156C, 160A | 20 | |
| Two courses chosen from Dramatic Art 124B, 124C, 124D | 8 | |
| Two courses chosen from Dramatic Art 150, 153, 154, 155, 159 | 8 | |
| A minimum of 4 elective units chosen from the following: Dramatic Art 121A, 121B, 122A, 122B, 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 125, 127B, 130, 140A, 140B, 143, 170, or courses in other departments with adviser's approval | 4 | |
| Additional Requirements
During the undergraduate career, majors are to participate in University Theatre Season and Studio productions. Participation must include work in three of the following four areas: acting/dance, design, studio (scenic, costume, lighting, painting, props, sound), directing/ playwriting/stage management. In addition, majors are expected to serve on a running crew a minimum of one quarter per academic year. Majors are also expected to attend theatre performances. | 14 | |
| Total Units for the Major | 80 | |
Dance Emphasis
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | 23 | |
| Choose 12 units from Dramatic Art 14, 40A, 40B, 41A, 41B, 42A, 42B, African American and African Studies 51 | 12 | |
| Dramatic Art 24, 26, 30 (crew), 30 (performance) | 11 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | 39 | |
| Dramatic Art 140A, 140B, 140C, 141, 145 | 19 | |
| Choose 20 units from African American and African Studies 155, Dramatic Art 142, 143, 154, 159, Music 125 | 20 | |
| Total Units for the Major | 62 | |
Major Adviser.---------
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dramatic Art | 20 | |
| Dramatic Art 156A, 156B, 156C | 12 | |
| One of Dramatic Art 124B, 124C, 124D
(Plus prerequisites) | 4 | |
| Additional Requirements
During the undergraduate career, minors are to participate in University Theatre Season and Studio productions. Participation must include work in two of the four areas required by the major. Minors are expected to attend theatre performances. | 4 | |
Transfer Students. As described above, all students completing a major in Dramatic Art must participate in dramatic productions, including work in at least three of the following four areas: acting/dance, design, studio (scenic, costume, lighting, painting, props, sound), directing/play writing/stage management. Such experience gained prior to transfer to UC Davis may count toward partial satisfaction of this requirement; transfer students should see the major adviser for an evaluation of your previous experience. While in residence at UC Davis, transfer students are required to participate in a minimum of five dramatic productions and that participation must include work in at least three of the four areas specified above.
Guest Artists. The Granada Visiting Artists Program brings distinguished professional British directors to the campus each year, teaching and directing in residence for a quarter. These working professional artists take the role of professor, interacting closely with students in the classroom and rehearsal halls and providing them excellent pre-professional experiences of theater practice.
Graduate Study. The Department of Dramatic Art offers programs of study and research leading to the M.F.A. (acting) and Ph.D. (performance and culture) degrees. Detailed information may be obtained by contacting the Graduate Adviser.
Graduate Adviser. Sue-Ellen Case, Ph.D. Program; Sheldon Deckelbaum, M.F.A. Program.
| Upper Division Courses | Graduate Courses | Professional Courses |
*Course not offered this academic year.
General Education (GE) credit: ArtHum = Arts and Humanities; SciEng = Science and Engineering; SocSci = Social Sciences; Div = Social-Cultural Diversity; Wrt = Writing Experience. Select this link to information on the General Education requirement.
1. Theatre, Performance and Culture (4) I, II, III. The Staff
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Introductory investigation of the nature of all performance, moving from performance theory to consideration of various manifestations of performance including theatre, film and media, dance, sports, political rallies and demonstrations, religious celebrations, civic pageants and "occasions." Investigation of the border between ritual and performance. GE credit: ArtHum, Div, Wrt.
10. Introduction to Acting (3) I, II, III. The Staff
Laboratory/discussion--4 hours; term paper. Fundamentals of movement, speech, theatre games, and improvisation. Selected reading and viewing of theatre productions. Intended for students not specializing in Dramatic Art.
14. Introduction to Contemporary Dance (2) I, II, III. Bolden
Laboratory/discussion--4 hours. Introduction to basic movement skills used in contemporary dance. Focus on holistically preparing the body for dance. Basic techniques and terminology used in ballet, modern or jazz dance and short combinations emphasizing use of space, quality, and rhythm.
20. Introduction to Dramatic Art (4) I, II, III. The Staff
Lecture--3 hours; discussion--1 hour. Understanding and appreciation of both the distinctive and collaborative contributions of playwright, actor, director, and designer to the total work of dramatic art. Study of plays from the major periods of dramatic art in their cultural contexts. GE credit: ArtHum.
21A. Fundamentals of Acting (4) I. The Staff
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 20. Physical and psychological resources of the actor. Experience in individual and group contact and communication, theatre games, advanced improvisation, sound and movement dynamics. Viewing of theatre productions. Limited to those planning to major in Dramatic Art.
21B. Fundamentals of Acting (4) II. The Staff
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 21A and consent of instructor. Theory and practice of acting with emphasis on character analysis, interpretation, and development. Acting in a student-directed project. Viewing of theatre productions. Limited to those planning to major in Dramatic Art.
24. Visual Aspects of Dramatic Art (4) I. The Staff
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--2 hours. Understanding and appreciation of the visual aspects of dramatic art: theatre architecture, scenery, lighting, costume, and makeup.
25. Technical Aspects of Dramatic Production (3) III. The Staff
Lecture--3 hours. Technical principles of dramatic production emphasizing the three areas of scenic, costume and lighting studios. Subjects covered include basic tools, materials and equipment, production practices; and the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of dramatic production.
26. Performing Arts Production Management (3) I. Winn
Lecture--3 hours. Theoretical study of performing arts administration and backstage operations from audition through performance. Techniques of scheduling, production management, stage management, technical direction, audience control, box office, promotion, safety, accommodations for persons with disabilities and emergency procedures.
30. Theatre Laboratory (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff
Prerequisite: course 25 or consent of instructor. Projects in acting, production, scene design, costuming, lighting, directing, and playwriting. Participation in departmental productions. May be repeated for credit up to a total of 8 units.
40A. Beginning Modern Dance (2) I. Bolden
Laboratory/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 14 or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of modern dance focusing primarily on the development of techniques and creative problem solving. Basic anatomy, dance terminology, and a general overview of modern dance history. May be repeated once for credit with consent of instructor.
40B. Intermediate Modern Dance (2) II. Bolden
Laboratory/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 40A. Modern dance techniques. Basic anatomy, dance terminology, and a general overview of modern dance history.
41A. Beginning Jazz Dance (2) II. Bolden
Laboratory/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 14 or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of jazz dance; includes warm-ups, dance techniques and combinations. Basic anatomy, dance terminology and general overview of jazz dance history. May be repeated once for credit with consent of instructor.
41B. Intermediate Jazz Dance (2) III. Bolden
Laboratory/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 41A. Warm-ups, dance techniques and combinations at the intermediate level. Basic anatomy, dance terminology and a general overview of jazz styles of historically significant jazz choreographers and leading contemporary jazz choreographers. May be repeated once for credit with consent of instructor.
42A. Beginning Ballet (2) III. The Staff
Laboratory/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 14 or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of ballet, focusing on the development of technique through proper alignment, quality, and rhythm. Basic anatomy, ballet terminology, and dance history. May be repeated once for credit with consent of instructor.
42B. Intermediate Ballet (2) I. The Staff
Laboratory/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 42A or consent of instructor. Barre and center work at the intermediate level. Development and refinement of technique through proper alignment, rhythmic, and qualitative understanding. Anatomy, ballet terminology, and dance history. May be repeated once for credit with consent of instructor.
98. Directed Group Study (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Primarily for lower division students. (P/NP grading only.)
99. Special Study for Undergraduates (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
(P/NP grading only.)
*115. Advanced Study of Major Film Makers (4) III. The Staff
Lecture/discussion--3 hours; film viewing--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 15. Analysis of the contribution of some outstanding film creators. Study of diverse aesthetic theories of the cinema and their application to selected films. May be repeated for credit when different film creator studied.
121A. Advanced Acting: Mask, Myth, and Tragedy (4) I. The Staff
Lecture/laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: course 21B and consent of instructor. Theory and practice of acting focused on the performance skills necessary to enact verse plays. Specific concentration on language as vocal and physical metaphor. Offered in alternate years.
121B. Advanced Acting: Comedy from Farce to Manners (4) II. The Staff
Lecture/laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: courses 21B, 121A and consent of instructor. Theory and practice of acting in comic plays. Specific issues addressed will be comic characterization, physical mask, and timing. Offered in alternate years.
*122A. Advanced Acting: Realism (4) I. The Staff
Lecture/laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: course 21B and consent of instructor. The issues of Stanislavski realism are explored through selected plays. Script analysis using improvisation and emotional scoring. Offered in alternate years.
*122B. Advanced Acting: Non-Realism (4) II. The Staff
Lecture/laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: courses 21B, 122A and consent of instructor. Exploration of the acting techniques needed to perform a non-realistic script. Different avant-garde movements will be examined through performance of the scripts. Offered in alternate years.
124A. Principles of Theatrical Design: Scenery (4) II. The Staff
Lecture-seminar--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 24 or consent of instructor. Scene design processes, working drawings, sketching techniques, scale models, methods and materials of scenery construction.
124B. Principles of Theatrical Design: Scenery (4) III. The Staff
Lecture-seminar--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 24 or consent of instructor. Analysis of plays in terms of scene design, elements of design, execution of designs for modern and period plays.
124C. Principles of Theatrical Design: Lighting (4) III. Winn
Lecture-seminar--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 24 or consent of instructor. Theories of lighting the stage, equipment and control systems, execution of lighting plots.
124D. Principles of Theatrical Design: Costume (4) II. Kress
Lecture-seminar--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 24 or consent of instructor. Source materials for theatrical costuming, selecting fabrics, elements of design, analysis of plays in terms of costume design, execution of designs for modern and period plays.
*125. Scenic Painting: Studio (4) II. The Staff
Lecture--2 hours; studio--3 hours; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing in Dramatic Art, Art Studio, or Design; or course 24 or 25, or consent of instructor. Scene painting techniques, practices and materials. Course satisfies production requirement in studio category. May be repeated once with consent of instructor. Offered in alternate years.
127A. Principles of Directing (4) I. Anderson
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--4 hours. Prerequisite: courses 21A, 26; two of 156A, 156B, 156C; or consent of instructor. The director's creative approach to the play and to its staging.
127B. Principles of Directing (4) II. Anderson
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--4 hours; rehearsal. Prerequisite: course 127A and consent of instructor for non-majors. The director's creative approach to the actor.
130. Approaches to Theatrical Design: Practice and Theory (4) II. Hunt
Seminar--2 hours; studio--4 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing in Dramatic Art, Art Studio or Design. Advanced scenic design study in specific areas including but not limited to: research, design styles and concepts, new materials and techniques, photography, projections, computer technology, spectacle and special effects, and alternative theatre forms and genres. Course satisfies Dramatic Art production requirement in Design. Offered in alternate years.
140A. Dance Composition (4) II. Bolden
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 40A, 41A, and 42A, or consent of instructor. Introduction to the craft of choreography. Students will compose phrases and present movement studies based on the elements of choreography: motivation, space, time, force/energy.
140B. Dance Composition (4) III. Bolden
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 140A. Continuation of the study of choreography, focusing on the development of group choreography: duets, trios, quartets and group work, form, and accompaniment.
140C. Dance Composition (4) I. Bolden
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 140A, 140B. Continuation of study of choreography focusing on sequencing movements for groups. The relation between dance and allied mediums of music, sets, costumes and lighting. Students conceptualize a choreographic issue and explore it through creation of short dance studies.
141. Introduction to the Fundamentals of Movement (3) I. Sellers-Young
Lecture/discussion--3 hours. Introduction to fundamentals of movement that combines intellectual and kinesthetic understanding of the body's skeletal and muscular systems. Explorations based on theories of body mind specialists Feldenkrais, Bartenieff and Sweigard as well as the eastern discipline of Yoga.
142. History of Modern Dance (5) III. Foster
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--3 hours; extensive writing. The Modern Dance tradition in the U.S., focusing on its theorizations of individual and social identity. Students will write and choreograph analyses of principle dances in this tradition. Offered in alternate years.
143. Dance and Movement Studio (1-4) I, II, III. Bolden
Laboratory/discussion--2-8 hours. Prerequisite: course 14 or consent of instructor. Special studies in dance and movement such as African, Balinese, Baroque, Chinese, European, and stage combat. Offered as needed for stage productions. May be repeated for credit for a total of 8 units.
145. Directed Choreography Projects (4) II. The Staff
Lecture/laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: courses 140A, 140B, 140C or consent of instructor. Conceptualization, creation, casting, rehearsing, and concert presentation of complete dances, with students integrating elements of stagecraft and directing the on-stage rehearsals.
150. American Theatre and Drama (4) II. The Staff
Lecture--4 hours. The history of the theatre from Colonial times to the present. Readings of selected plays. Offered in alternate years. GE credit: ArtHum, Div, Wrt.
*154. Asian Theatre and Drama: Contexts and Forms (4) II. Sellers-Young
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing. Selected Asian plays and performance forms in their cultural and artistic contexts; myth, ritual and the theatre; performance training, visual presentation of the text; political theatre; intercultural performance--the fusion of Asian and Western traditions. Offered in alternate years. GE credit: ArtHum, Div, Wrt.
155. Representing Race in Performance (4) III. The Staff
Lecture--4 hours. Examination of how "race" is represented and performed in American culture. Course will feature different sub-headings such as "African American Theatre" or "Asian-Americans on Stage." May be repeated once for credit when topic differs. Offered in alternate years. GE credit: ArtHum, Div, Wrt.
*155A. African American Dance and Culture in the United States, Brazil and the Caribbean (4) I. Bolden
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. A comparative study of the African American dance forms in the U.S.A., Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad. Examination of ritual, folk, and popular dance forms and the socio/historical factors that have influenced these forms. (Same course as African American and African Studies 155A.) Offered in alternate years.
156A. History of Theatre and Dance: Ancient to 1650 (4) I. Worthen
Lecture--4 hours. Overview of theatre and dance as it has come to be recognized in ancient societies through to 1650. Performance traditions studied include Greek, Indian, Aztec, Roman, Japanese (Noh), through the Renaissance. GE credit: ArtHum, Div, Wrt.
156B. History of Theatre and Dance: 1650-1900 (4) III. Reinelt
Lecture--4 hours. Overview of theatre and dance between 1650 and 1900. Dance and theatre are related to the specific social and political organizations of court society in 17th and 18th century France, Germany and England, and to Japanese society. GE credit: ArtHum, Div, Wrt.
156C. History of Theatre and Dance:
The Twentieth Century (4) II. Shimakawa
Lecture--4 hours. Overview of theatre and dance in the twentieth century. Although largely focused on Western theatrical practices, the relationship between East and West performance practices will be studied and contemporary Japanese theatre will be included. GE credit: ArtHum, Div, Wrt.
159. Contemporary Experimental Theatre and Drama (4) I. Case
Lecture--4 hours. Examination and evaluation of the "New Theatre." Course includes attending theatre events. May be repeated once with consent of instructor.
160A-160B. Principles of Playwriting (4-4) I-II. The Staff
Lecture/seminar--4 hours. Prerequisite: two courses in Dramatic Art or related courses in other departments; course 160A prerequisite for 160B or consent of instructor. Analysis of dramatic structure; preparation of scenarios; the composition of plays.
*170. Media Theatre (3) I. The Staff
Lecture--1 hour; rehearsal--2 hours; performance--1 hour. Prerequisite: upper division standing in Dramatic Art, Music, Art Studio, Design, Computer Science, or Engineering: Computer Science, or consent of instructor. New media and application of
theatre design and performance. Emphasis on collaborative process in relationship to integration of emerging technologies and formation of new theatrical works. Development of collaborative performance through lecture, demonstration, improvisation and experimentation. May be repeated once for credit.
180. Theatre Laboratory (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff
Prerequisite: upper division standing and course 25, or consent of instructor. Projects in acting, production, scene design, costuming, lighting, directing, and playwriting. Participation in departmental productions. May be repeated for credit.
192. Internship in Dramatic Art (1-12) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Internship--3-36 hours. Prerequisite: upper division or graduate work in dramatic art; upper division course related to the project; consent of instructor and Department Chairperson. Internship outside the academic department enabling students to practice their skills. May be repeated for credit for a total of 12 units. (P/NP grading only.)
194HA-194HB. Special Study for Honors Students (3-3) I, II, III. The Staff
Independent study--9 hours. Prerequisite: qualification for Letters and Science Honors Program and admission to Dramatic Art Senior Honors Program. Preparation and presentation of a culminating project, under the supervision of an instructor, in one of the creative or scholarly areas of Dramatic Art. (Deferred grading only, pending completion of sequence).
197T. Tutoring in Dramatic Art (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Tutoring--1-5 hours. Prerequisite: upper division or graduate standing with major in dramatic art; consent of department chairperson. Leading of small voluntary groups affiliated with one of the department's regular courses. May be repeated for credit. (P/NP grading only.)
198. Directed Group Study (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)
199. Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)
*200. Methods and Materials in Theatre Research (4) I. The Staff
Seminar--3 hours; term paper. Essential research tools in theatre and related fields; bibliographies, primary sources; methods of evaluating and presenting evidence; delineating research areas in the field.
211. Advanced Voice and Speech (2) I, II, III. The Staff
Laboratory--4 hours. Open to advanced undergraduates with consent of instructor. Voice production and speech related to specific acting problems in classical plays, particularly in verse. May be repeated for credit.
212. Advanced Stage Movement (3) I, II, III. The Staff
Laboratory--6 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing in the MFA Program. The application of modes of exploration, breath placement, and the use of imagery as well as Laban's effort/shape system as a method of analysis in classic and modern plays. Open to advanced undergraduates by consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
221. Special Problems in Advanced Acting (4) I, II, III. Granada Artist, The Staff
Seminar--2 hours; laboratory--4 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Advanced acting problems arising from differences in the type and style of plays selected from Greece to the present. May be repeated for credit.
*228. Seminar in Directing Theory:
Non-Realism (4) III. Granada Artist
Seminar--3 hours; term paper. Modern directing theory as it applies to non-realistic theatre; development of directorial concepts for production of selected non-realistic plays--Greek to the present; emphasis on textual analysis. Offered in alternate years.
*229. Special Problems in Directing (5) I, II, III. The Staff and Granada Artist
Seminar--2 hours; laboratory--2 hours; rehearsal--4 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Projects in directing scenes selected from plays from ancient Greece to the present. May be repeated for credit.
*250. Modern Theatre (4) II. The Staff
Seminar--3 hours; term paper. The theatre of Europe and America, 1860-1940, with emphasis on the relationship of the dramas of the period to the physical circumstances under which they were produced. Offered in alternate years.
*259. Topics in Contemporary Theatre and Performance (4) I.
Seminar--3 hours; term paper. Special topics designed to study in depth aspects of contemporary performance including performance analysis, cultural and historical context, modes of production, theoretical and political entailments, and issues of spectatorship (e.g., "Brecht and After," "British Theater," "Race and Gender in Performance." May be repeated five times for credit.
265A. Theory of Dramatic Art: Modes of Production (4) II. The Staff
Seminar--3 hours; term paper. Introduces students to literature of theatrical practice, cultural and aesthetic theory, as related to practical stage performance. Offered in alternate years.
265B. Theory of Dramatic Art: Signification and the Body (4) III. Reinelt
Seminar--3 hours; term paper. Introduce students to analysis of the body in performance, drawing on theoretical models from various fields. Offered in alternate years.
265C. Theory of Dramatic Art: Technologies of Difference (4) I. The Staff
Seminar--3 hours; term paper. Introduce students to history, theory, practice of staging social and cultural difference. Offered in alternate years.
265D. Theory of Dramatic Art (4) II. The Staff
Seminar--3 hours; term paper. Theory and aesthetic principles of dramatic art as a fine art. Offered in alternate years. (Former course 265.)
280. Theatre Laboratory (1-12) I, II, III. The Staff
Advanced practice in acting, designing, directing, playwriting, and technical theatre. May be repeated for credit.
298. Group Study (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
299. Individual Study (1-12) I, II, III, The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
(S/U grading only.)
299D. Dissertation Research (1-12) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
(S/U grading only.)
396. Teaching Assistant Training Practicum
(1-4) I, II, III. The Staff (Chairperson in charge)
Prerequisite: graduate standing. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.)
413. Stage Make-up (1) II. The Staff
Lecture/laboratory--2 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Approved for graduate degree credit. Lectures, demonstrations, and practical work in aspects of theatrical make-up.
UC Davis 1999-2000 Online General Catalog. Posted July 30, 1999.
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Molly Theodossy, Keitha Hunter and Barbara Anderson, Editors
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