Department of Drama/Dance
Randy Bolton, Co-Chair
Christine Milodragovich, Co-Chair
Pages 206-214
The Department of Drama/Dance is housed in a fine, multi-million dollar performing arts complex which includes three theatre/dance performance spaces and television/radio studios. The program is production-oriented with approximately ten major productions presented each year including contemporary, historical, period, musical, and experimental plays, as well as dance concerts. The Montana Repertory Theatre, a professional touring company based at UM, often involves students both on and off stage. The faculty is strong, possessing a diversity of educational and professional theatre and dance backgrounds.
The Bachelor of Arts with major in Drama provides the student with a broad liberal arts education and a general focus in drama. The degree allows the student to complete an additional major and may form the basis for further training on the graduate level. The Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Drama or Dance is a professionally-oriented degree designed for the student who plans to pursue a career in theatre, dance or a related field. A specialization area must be designated such as acting, dance or design/technical. Graduate programs lead to the Master of Arts and the Master of Fine Arts with majors in Drama.
Special Degree Requirements
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.
Advisement
Each drama/dance major must have a faculty advisor who is assigned by the department and who is usually from the student's specialization area. The department, through its advisement program, often recommends non-drama electives and specific General Education courses to the student depending on the student's area of emphasis. Majors may not take core or area required courses on a pass/not pass basis.
Auditions and Portfolio Reviews
Actors, dancers, designers and technicians undergo periodic review in the form of auditions or portfolio presentations. These on-going evaluations provide each student with the opportunity and challenge of individualized critiques from faculty and staff professionals.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Drama
The following courses constitute the complete Drama requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree:
Core Courses
Drama
- 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- 107A_Theatre Production I: Construction Crew
- Choose one of the following
- 202_Stagecraft I
- 203_Stagecraft II
- 103A_ Introduction to Theatre Design
- 207_Theatre Production II: Construction Crew
- 214_Acting I
- 220L_Dramatic Literature I (Script Analysis)
- 221L_Dramatic Literature II
- 320_Theatre History I
- 321_Theatre History II
- 379_Introduction to Directing
- Senior project
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Drama, Drama Education Emphasis
The major in Drama with a Drama Education emphasis is designed for the student seeking an endorsement in the major teaching field of Drama.
- 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- 103A_Introduction to Theatre Design
- 106A-107A_Theatre Production
- 210-211_Voice and Speech I, II
- 214-215_Acting I, II
- 220L-221L_Dramatic Literature I, II
- 244_Stage Makeup
- 320-321--Theatre History I, II
- 379_Introduction to Directing
- 402_Methods of Teaching Theatre
For endorsement to teach Drama, a student also must gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and meet all the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog).
The demand in Montana high schools for teaching of courses in this field is limited. Students should complete the required second endorsement (major or minor) in a field other than Economics, Geography, Journalism, Psychology or Sociology.
Minor Teaching Field of Drama: For an endorsement in the minor teaching field of Drama see the School of Education section of this catalog.
Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Drama
Normally, a student should declare intent to pursue the B.F.A. degree no later than the beginning of the second year of a four-year program. The student must designate an area of emphasis, either acting or design/technical. Requirements for these areas are specified below. A student may elect a Special Emphasis in directing, music theatre, or another discipline in addition to the B.F.A. core and area-emphasis requirements. The program is designed in consultation with the student's advisor and must be approved by the faculty. The Special Emphasis option may require five years to complete.
The following courses are required of all B.F.A. Drama students:
- 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- 103A_Introduction to Theatre Design
- 106A_Theatre Production I: Running Crew
- 107A_Theatre Production I: Construction Crew
- 202_Stagecraft I
- 203_Stagecraft II
- 206_Theatre Production II: Running Crew
- 207_Theatre Production II: Construction Crew
- 214_Acting I (or Dram 111A)
- 220L_Dramatic Literature I (Script Analysis)
- 221L_Dramatic Literature II
- 320-321_Theatre History I, II
- 379_Introduction to Directing
Acting Emphasis
- 210_Voice and Speech I
- 211_Voice and Speech II
- 212_Physical Performance Skills I
- 215_Acting II
- 216A_Production Acting I
- 244_Stage Makeup
- 310_Voice and Speech III
- 311_Voice and Speech IV
- 312_Physical Performance Skills II
- 313-Physical Performance Skills III
- 314_Acting III
- 315_Acting IV
- 316A_Production Acting II
- 410-Singing for Actors (by audition)
- 412-Physical Performance Skills IV
- 414_Acting V
- 415_Acting VI
- 416-Senior Project--Acting
- 417_Acting VII
Dance
105A_Theatre and Dance Techniques
Design/Technical Emphasis
- 231_Drafting for the Theatre I
- 334_Scene Design I
- 346_Costume Design I
- 351_Theatre Lighting I
- 361_Theatre Sound I
- 371_Stage Management I
- 408_Production Team II OR
- 409_Production Design II (Senior Project)
- Upper-division design/technical electives
Senior Projects
A senior project is required of all B.A. and B.F.A. drama majors. The senior project is usually production-related and has both practical and written components. Degree and area requirements for the project vary and are outlined in the Department of Drama/Dance Handbook.
Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Dance
The department offers two emphases in dance, one in studio teaching and the other in choreography and performance. Each requires the same forty-six credits in core courses, plus additional specified credits in an emphasis. All majors are required to do a junior and a senior creative or research project and a production project. If not qualified for advanced placement in Modern II, the student must take Modern I as a prerequisite.
Dance
- 120A_Improvisation: Introduction to Laban Theory
- 200A_Modern/Ballet II
- 201A_Beginning Composition
- 202A_Rehearsal and Performance
- 300_Modern/Ballet III
- 334_20th Century Dance
- 333_Dance History: Primitive to 1850 OR
- 335L-Asian Dance and Theatre
- 429_Advanced Techniques of Modern Dance
- 494_Jr/Sr Dance Seminar
Drama
- 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- 103A_Introduction to Theatre Design
Other
- Biology 212_Anatomy and
- Physiology 4
- Philosophy 340_Aesthetics
Credit is optional for the junior and senior creative or research project and for the production project. From 1-6 credits may be received for the creative or research project and 1-2 credits for the production project.
Studio Teaching Emphasis
Dance
- 107A_Jazz Dance I
- 427_Teaching Creative Movement (or designated course by advisement)
- 491_Teaching Projects (assisting in a technique class for 2 semesters)
Drama
- 202_Stagecraft I
- 203_Stagecraft II
- 371_Stage Management I
- 378-Stage Management Practicum I
Choreography and Performance Emphasis
Dance
- 202A_Rehearsal and Performance
- 301_Intermediate Composition
- 305_Choreographing Musicals
- 329_Technique Plus
Drama
Recommended electives:
Drama
- 210_Voice and Speech I
- 215_Acting II
There is a sophomore review which a prospective major must pass to continue in the dance program.
Special Projects
- Production project: involves producing a showcase performance or another major production responsibility, such as publicity, stage managing, sound, lighting, costumes, multi-media.
- Junior and Senior projects: must be planned with the student's advisor and submitted to the faculty for approval at the beginning of the year. The completed project must receive final approval 6 weeks prior to the end of the year. All choreography/performance majors must choreograph for their junior and senior projects.
Students also are required to meet the campus-wide General Education requirements. Students are urged to consult with their advisors before General Education courses are selected.
Suggested Course of Study
The recommended curriculum for the B.A. program in Drama is:
First Year
- Dram 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- Dram 103A_Introduction to Theatre Design
- Dram 107A_Theatre Production I: Construction Crew
- Dram 214_Acting I
- Electives and General Education
Second Year
- Choose one from
- Dram 202_Stagecraft I
- Dram 203_Stagecraft II
- Dram 207_Theatre Production II: Construction Crew
- Dram 220L-221L_Dramatic Literature I, II
- Electives and General Education
The recommended curriculum for the B.F.A., Acting Emphasis, is:
First Year
- Dram 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- Dram 103A_Introduction to Theatre Design
- Dram 106A_Theatre Production I: Running Crew
- Dram 107A_Theatre Production I: Construction Crew
- Dram 210-211_Voice and Speech I, II
- Dram 212_Physical Performance Skills I
- Dram 214-215_Acting I, II
- Dram 216A--Production Acting
- Dram 244_Stage Makeup
- Electives and General Education
Second Year
- Dram 202_Stagecraft I
- Dram 203_Stagecraft II
- Dram 206_Theatre Production II: Running Crew
- Dram 207_Theatre Production II: Construction Crew
- Dram 220L-221L_Dramatic Literature I, II
- Dram 310-311_Voice and Speech III, IV
- Dram 312-313_Physical Performance Skills II, III
- Dram 314-315_Acting III, IV
- Electives and General Education
The recommended curriculum for the B.F.A., Design/Technical Emphasis is:
First Year
- Dram 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- Dram 103A_Introduction to Theatre Design
- Dram 106A_Theatre Production I: Running Crew
- Dram 107A_Theatre Production I: Construction Crew
- Dram 214_Acting I
- Dram 231_Drafting for the Theatre I
- Electives and General Education
Second Year
- Dram 202_Stagecraft I
- Dram 203_Stagecraft II
- Dram 206_Theatre Production II: Running Crew
- Dram 207_Theatre Production II: Construction Crew
- Dram 220L-221L_Dramatic Literature I, II
- Dram 351_Theatre Lighting I
- Dram 371_Stage Management I
- Electives and General Education
The recommended curriculum for the B.F.A. program in Dance is:
First Year
- Dan 120A-Improvisation: Intro to Laban Theory
- Dan 200A_Modern/Ballet II (or Dan 100A and 104A, if needed)
- Dan 201A-Beginning Composition 2
- Dram 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- Dram 103A_Introduction to Theatre Design
- Electives and General Education
Second Year
- Dan 200A_Modern/Ballet II
- OR 300_Modern/Ballet III
- Dan 201A_Beginning Composition
- Dan 202A_Rehearsal and Performance
- Dan 333_Dance History: Primitive to 1850 OR
- 334-20th Century Dance OR
- 335L-Asian Dance and Theatre
- Biol 212_Integrated Anatomy and Physiology I
- Electives and General Education
Requirements for a Minor
Minor in Drama
The department provides the student the opportunity to focus the minor in a particular area such as acting, costume, etc. Twenty-seven credits, including a common core of sixteen credits are required for the minor. A department advisor should be consulted for guidelines regarding the specific focus.
Drama
- 106A_Theatre Production I: Running Crew
- 102_Introductory Technical Theatre
- 103A_Introduction to Theatre Design
- 107A_Theatre Production I: Construction Crew
- 220L_Dramatic Literature I
- 320 or 321_Theatre History I or II
- Focused area
Minor in Dance
Twenty-nine credits are required in dance.
Dance
- 100A_Modern Dance I
- 104A_Ballet I
- 107A_Jazz Dance I
- 120A_Improvisation: Introduction to Laban Theory
- 200A_Modern/Ballet II
- 201A_Beginning Composition
- 202A_Rehearsal and Performance
- 333_Dance History: Primitive to 1850 OR
- 335L-Asian Dance and Theatre
- 334_20th Century Dance
- 494_Junior/Senior Dance Seminar
More drama . . .