Emphasis is placed on the works of the 18th and 19th centuries, early American plays and the contemporary playwrights. Playwriting is an introduction to the development of narrative line, character, and dialogue in an original dramatic text. By the end of the semester, the student will complete a text which will receive a staged reading and open critique. Priniciples of Directing provides an introduction to text analysis, blocking, mapping dramatic action, and other fundamental tasks of the stage director. Lab. hours in which the student will direct scenes from plays are required.
Characterization involves a study of the psychological process of creating a character.
Using scenes from great dramas, students will do an in-depth study and analysis of the plays and the characters they choose to work on during the semester. ENG431 Production serves as a capstone to the Drama student's work. The student will meet for a regular class and will direct the one-act play in separate lab. For senior Drama concentration students only. Senior Thesis requires the student to research and write a thesis on an approved theatre-related topic.