Handbook
WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA AND DANCE
A Statement of Philosophy
Congratulations on your choice to major in the Drama/Dance department at Colorado College! We trust you will find the information contained in this handbook useful as you undertake this part of your educational journey. Please read the section appropriate to your chosen major (drama or dance), and refer to the information it contains regularly.
As you read, you will notice that our department values both the academic side of performance theory and history combined with ALL dance and theatre performance practice. While some argue that practice and theory imply altogether different ways of knowing, we firmly believe that each kind of endeavor deepens the work and understanding of the other. Therefore, we encourage you to take full advantage of courses that challenge you to perform the skills connected to your primary interests (whether these fall within dancing, acting, directing, choreographing, design, or technical theatre) while participating fully in courses that broaden your academic understanding about how these practices have evolved.
Finally, the disciplines of Drama and Dance are, essentially, collaborative art forms. Therefore, we urge each student to explore the extensive possibilities our curriculum provides to develop these necessary collaborative skills.
Our department is committed to creating a learning environment where all three aspects of your education (theory, practice and collaboration) come together to create the visionary, well-rounded and exciting performance practitioners of the future. We are pleased that you have chosen to join our department, and look forward to working with you.
I have read and will adhere to the terms of the Drama/Dance Handbook.
__________________________ ____________________________ ______________
Print Name Signature Date
The Department of Drama / Dance Handbook
Table of Contents
Section A: Drama Handbook 3
Section B: Dance Handbook 11
SECTION A: The Drama Major
Table of Contents
The Major
How to Become a Drama Major 4
Requirements for a Drama Major 4
Technical Jobs Requirements 5
A Quick Look at the Drama Major 6
Department Procedures and Practice
Department Expectations & Opportunities 7
Senior Project Procedures 8
Senior Project Proposal 8
Department Drama Production Procedures 9
Department Lending Policies 10
Production and Rehearsal Space Procedures 10
How to Become a Drama Major
- Read and understand the department’s handbook and philosophy statement.
- Go to the Registrar’s Office and ask for a Declaration of Major form. If applicable, pick up a Declaration of Double Major form instead. If you need to change advisors, pick up a Change of Advisor form.
- Complete the form(s), sign the philosophy statement, and make an appointment to see the Chair of the department. At this meeting, you will discuss areas of interest, career paths, appropriate advisors, and degree progress. Be prepared to discuss your long-term goals, ideas, and aspirations.
- Once the form(s) have been signed, see the Department Coordinator to have your picture taken and then added to the Wall of Fame.
- If you have any questions about this process, please ask any professor in the department or the Department Coordinator.
Requirements for a Drama Major
Drama majors must complete a minimum of 13 units for the major comprising:
Six required units are:
DR 105: Acting 1
DR 110: Fundamentals of Design and Technical Theatre
DR 206: Directing 1
DR 225: Playwriting and Screenwriting
DR 303: Junior Seminar (usually Block 3 Junior Year)
DR 404: Senior Project
two units from Western theatre backgrounds
DR 220: Origins and Early Forms of Theatre
DR 221: Medieval and Renaissance Theatre
DR 222: Romantic, Commedia and Neoclassic Theatre
DR 223: Modern Theatre
DR 224: Contemporary Performance 1950 – Present
one unit from Diverse theatre backgrounds
DR 320: African and African-American Theatre
DR 321: Latino and Latin-American Theatre
DR 322: Asian and Asian-American Theatre
three units from Elective Classes, chosen according to individual interests in acting, directing, literature, technical theatre or design.
and one unit comprising an Acting Adjunct in a specific production (.25), and three technical theatre jobs (total .75 unit). Both these requirements should ideally be completed before the final semester of the major.
Progress Meeting: There will be an annual progress meeting with full faculty and individual students to monitor, assess and advise their progress. Students must bring 10 copies of their unofficial transcript and resume to the meeting.
Students are urged to study one or more foreign languages.
Outstanding work overall will be rewarded with distinction upon graduation.
Technical Theatre Jobs Requirements
Drama majors must complete 3 different jobs (.75 unit) on at least 3 department shows (a minimum of 90-100 hours). Job areas include set construction, scene painting, properties management and construction, costume construction, master electrician, running crews in properties/lights/make-up/ costumes, and sound/lighting board operation.
Stage management is an exception to this requirement. Stage-managing a department production fulfills 2 jobs (.50 unit), due to the depth of involvement in all areas of technical theatre.
The department Cornerstone bulletin board, outside office 320, will list technical and design opportunities available for the academic year. Students should discuss their needs and desires for assignments with the design professors, directors and the technical director early in the academic year to insure that they reserve positions that are beneficial and well suited to them. Please see crew job manuals posted on the website for specifics.
Hours can be completed only on departmental productions. Theatre Workshop, Dance Workshop, paid crew hours, class-required crew hours, and senior projects DO NOT fulfill this requirement.
The technical jobs requirement will be listed as DR 212 (Block 2 Production); DR 213 (Block 4 Production); DR 214 (Block 5 Production); DA 214 (Faculty Dance Concert); and DR 215 (Block 8 Production). The student will receive credit and a grade for their technical work. The professor of record will be either the director of the specific production or the director of the Faculty Dance Concert. You must register under the appropriate production either before or during the course of the production. You may NOT add the course after the production is over. Crew hours and job completion status are maintained by the Professor of Record.
Students are entirely responsible for registering for DR212-15 Theatre Studio, and getting the appropriate faculty signatures. Late registrations will not be considered, and students will lose any hours they have already put in for certain jobs.
How to sign-up for DR 212-215:
Each course number represents 0.25 units of credit.
DR 212 1642 Theatre Studio: Name of 2nd Block Production (Acting) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 212 1652 Theatre Studio: Name of 2nd Block Production (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 212 1662 Theatre Studio: Name of 2nd Block Production (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 212 1672 Theatre Studio: Name of 2nd Block Production (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 213 3614 Theatre Studio: Name of 4th Block Production (Acting) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 213 3624 Theatre Studio: Name of 4th Block Production (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 213 3634 Theatre Studio: Name of 4th Block Production (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 213 3644 Theatre Studio: Name of 4th Block Production (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 214 5616 Theatre Studio: Name of 5th Block Production (Acting) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 214 5626 Theatre Studio: Name of 5th Block Production (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 214 5636 Theatre Studio: Name of 5th Block Production (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 214 5646 Theatre Studio: Name of 5th Block Production (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
DA 214 5616 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DA 214 5636 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DA 214 5646 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 215 7618 Theatre Studio: Name of 8th Block Production (Acting) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 215 7628 Theatre Studio: Name of 8th Block Production (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 215 7638 Theatre Studio: Name of 8th Block Production (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 215 7648 Theatre Studio: Name of 8th Block Production (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
A Quick Look at the Drama Major
| Units | Category | R Class |
| 6.0 | Required |
q DR 105 Acting 1 q DR 110 Fundamentals of Design &Technical Theatre q DR 206 Directing I q DR 225 Playwriting and Screenwriting q DR 303 Junior Seminar (Block 3 Junior Year) q DR 404 Senior Project
|
| 2.0 | Theatre Backgrounds |
Pick Two from below: q DR 220 Origins and Early Forms of Theatre q DR 221 Medieval and Renaissance Theatre q DR 222 Romantic, Commedia, and Neoclassic Theatre q DR 223 Modern Theatre q DR 224 Contemporary Performance 1950-Present |
| 1.0 | Diversity and Globalism |
Pick One from below: q DR 320 African and African-American Theatre q DR 321 Latino and Latin-American Theatre q DR 322 Asian and Asian-American Theatre |
| 3.0 | Electives |
Three electives are required. Please see departmental offerings / independent studies & internships from our current catalog. |
| .25
.75 |
Acting Hours (Pick One) Technical Theatre Jobs (Pick Three) Each course is worth 0.25 units |
q DR 212 Theatre Studio: 1st Drama Production q DR 213 Theatre Studio: 2nd Drama Production q DR 214 Theatre Studio: 3rd Drama Production q DA 214 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert q DR 215 Theatre Studio: 4th Drama Production |
| 13 | Total Units Required |
Department Expectations and Opportunities
- Participation. Because you have chosen Drama or Dance as your academic major, you will be expected to participate fully in the department’s productions.
- Distinction. Students who successfully participate in all aspects of Drama and/or Dance (literature/theory/history, performance, technical/design) retain a GPA of at least 3.0 within the major, and complete an outstanding Senior Project/Thesis will be considered for Distinction in Drama or Dance upon graduation.
- Variety. You will be encouraged to investigate different aspects of Drama and Dance disciplines. For example, regardless of whether you are an actor or dancer you will be encouraged to help build a set, run the light or sound board for a production, be in charge of getting props, stage manage, assist in the costume shop, etc. Conversely, if you are a designer or a technical theatre student, you will be encouraged to act, dance, or direct.
- Meetings. You will be required to attend all department majors meetings.
- Junior Seminar. All Junior majors are required to take the Junior Seminar class in Block 3 of their Junior year.
- Senior Proposals. In Block 7 of your junior year, you will be asked to formally propose your Senior Project. See page 8 for senior proposal guidelines.
- Activities. Throughout the year, the department schedules many activities intended to enrich your experiences and understanding of performance. You are expected to attend these department-sponsored events / activities. All majors should check the callboard for special announcements regularly.
- Academic Standing. College policy states that you must earn a C- or better to receive credit for any major core requirement.
- Internships. As a major, you will be encouraged to do an internship in your area of interest. Before you do this, however, you must talk to a faculty member about what you would like to accomplish, what venue you would like to work in, and how DR 325 Independent Study: Internship will be contracted. Remember: faculty have many contacts in the profession and are here to make your undergraduate career fulfilling and challenging.
- Independent Studies. There are specific procedures for registering for Independent Studies. After you have met and talked to a faculty member about why and what you would like to do and they have agreed to be your mentor and the professor of record, obtain an Independent Study Drop/Add Slip from the Registrar and sign up for DR 325 Independent Studies: Title of Proposal. Next, you need to write a contract with your faculty mentor, stating your intentions and goals. This proposal must then be approved by the Chair, and he/she must sign you add slip. Note: Department professors mentor Independent Studies as overloads and are not obliged to take them on.
Senior Project Procedures
1. All senior majors in the department must complete DR 404 Senior Project.
The Senior Thesis Project is a rigorous, self-generated project, which serves as the creative and intellectual culmination of the student’s undergraduate career. Your senior thesis project can take a range of forms: performance, writing a play or performance piece, designing set or costumes or lighting, a community-based project, a research paper or other. Collaborative resources developed during Junior Seminar support the student’s process in creating a senior thesis. The faculty encourages collaborative projects with fellow seniors.
2. Unless your senior thesis is a research paper, a supporting paper of approximately 20 pages must accompany your senior thesis to include critical and reflective components:
Some Approaches to the Critical Component (approximately 10-12 pages):
- A Dramaturgical Analysis: Here you would explore particular themes or questions, which your piece examines. Writing a dramaturgical analysis involves delving deeply into the work, finding themes and implications within its structure and history.
- A Performance History Approach: Here you would do more specific historical research into the form, subject, and/or playwright of your project.
- Performance Analysis: Here you could scrutinize the various components of your project through performance theories. You could focus on one or two particular concepts (visual focus, spatial relationships, music, video or collaborative elements) and discuss how different practitioners understand those concepts and then how and why you are exploring them in your work.
Critical Reflection (approximately 5-7 pages):
- Here you would address the planning, structure, and execution of your work. What proved most challenging? What aspect(s) was (were) most rewarding? Why? How? What new questions did your project raise for you? What did you learn about your creative process? What did you learn about CC and/or the Drama/Dance Department? How might this process impact your future experience with performance? What aspects of the performance might you revise? Why? How?
After the completion of the senior thesis/project, the majors will have a meeting with their mentor where they will receive an evaluation of the process and product.
Senior Project Proposal
In Block 7 of junior year, all majors will be required to make a senior project proposal to the faculty and staff. This proposal should include the following:
- A title and a description of the thesis project or written thesis.
- An explanation of how this senior thesis is a culmination of your education, with specific references to classes that you will call on in order to make the proposal come alive.
- An explanation of how you came to this idea, i.e. give us a hint as to its germination.
- A proposed timeline for the thesis project or written thesis, including start dates, meeting frequency with advisors, and performance/supporting paper completion dates.
- A budget; the department will reimburse you up to a maximum of $150.
- A request for space, if applicable.
- An indication of performers and all the necessary and probable components needed.
- A roster of technical support, if applicable. Please note that the department technical staff is NOT your technical crew, and will not serve in that capacity under any circumstances. We expect that the department requirements of DR 110 and elective classes such as Lighting Design and Costume Design will serve you in good stead. Should you require crew including a stage manager, lighting designer, etc., please contact them before your presentation, and make sure that they are aware of their obligation.
- A request for a specific advisor, who will be your professor of record. Advisors must be in the Department of Drama and Dance.
The proposal should be professional and polished. It should last approximately 15 minutes, with 5 minutes of questions/comments after the presentation. After the proposal is made, the department will consider it at length and then respond with suggestions. In some cases, we will ask you to present again, in the first week of the fall semester, in order to give you more time to consider the proposal.
Department Drama Production Procedures
The opportunity to participate in theatre at Colorado College is available to all students, no matter what your major is.
Drama productions are usually presented during Blocks 2, 4, 5, and 8 with the Faculty Dance Concert in Block 6. All productions are directed by a member of the faculty or a visiting director/professor.
Other opportunities for performing, designing and technical work happen in the classroom. As a drama major you will find that there are endless opportunities for you to be involved in drama. However, it is important that you remember that your first commitment is to your coursework followed by department productions and finally any other extra-curricular opportunities.
Production Process
Production process begins with the play selection, which we try to have solidified in the spring prior to the next academic year. Because of possibility of visiting directors, this sometimes is not possible.
Auditions are normally held in the block prior to the start of rehearsals. All auditions are open and usually have no prerequisites or prepared readings. We will try to have scripts available in the department office, Cornerstone 320, prior to auditioning so you can read it before auditions. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the department call board at least a week before auditions. Audition notices will be posted around campus as well as on the student digest. Auditions usually happen over two evenings. A third evening is reserved for callbacks. Watch the callboard for these postings.
Once the cast has been chosen the list will be posted on the callboard, outside the Cornerstone 320. It is important that you initial by your name in order to accept the role. By accepting a role you have committed yourself to the production and must be available for all rehearsals, costume fittings, dress and technical rehearsals, the performance and post performance strike.
In general, productions are rehearsed over two blocks. Rehearsals are scheduled in afternoons and evenings depending on a director’s way of working. It is expected that all actors will be on time for these rehearsals and ready for the warm-up exercises. If you experience an unexpected conflict with your block class schedule, you must notify the director as soon as you discover the conflict to work out the details of your continued participation. If other, non-curricular conflicts should arise, you are expected to treat the production as your first priority.
Technical rehearsals normally begin on the Friday prior to the opening performance and continue through the weekend. All crew and cast are required for these rehearsals, which continue through to dress rehearsals from the Monday prior to opening.
Opening night is usually the third Thursday of Blocks 2, 4, 5, and 8 followed by 2 additional performances on Friday and Saturday nights. Curtain up times vary.
Strike of set, lights and costumes is usually scheduled after the last performance. All actors and technical crew must participate in strike.
Department Lending Policies
Props:
The department props collection is available for department productions, classes, and senior projects. Props and furniture are not for personal use. Contact the technical staff for information and access.
Costumes:
The Colorado College Costume Collection is available for productions. Departmental use has priority. Other appropriate use of the Collection is for Theatre Workshop and Dance Workshop productions, educational projects for all college departments and Senior Projects. Costumes are not available for personal use or classroom scenes. To access any part of the collection, you must make an appointment with the costume shop supervisor. Certain items within the collection are not available for checkout. A refundable damage deposit will be required for any costume checked out from the collection. The deposit is refunded when the costumes are returned cleaned and undamaged. Cleaning costs are the responsibility of the borrower.
Lights:
Lights and lighting equipment are available to use on site and with the permission of the Lighting Supervisor. South Theater, Studio A and Atrium Spaces are well equipped with theatrical lighting. Classrooms in the CAC building are equipped with dimming overhead lights (non-theatrical), which can be programmed and used in performance. The Cornerstone building is designed to be used creatively and many areas of the building are utilized for performance outside of these actual classrooms or theaters.
Cossitt Gym is a Drama/Dance sponsored performance space that can also be booked to use with available lights and sound. The Lighting Supervisor will direct the use of these spaces and equipment with prior notice.
Sound and Video Equipment:
Most sound and video equipment will be provided through Audio/Visual Services in Armstrong. Any AV equipment belonging to the Drama and Dance Department will be checked out through our technical department. Please check with the technical staff and follow the aforementioned procedures for borrowing items.
Production and Rehearsal Space Procedures
Protocol for requesting Cossitt Gym, North Studio, South Studio, Amphitheater
Contact Patrizia Herminjard at 719-389-6353 or pherminjard@coloradocollege.edu
Protocols for requesting EKG/CAC Spaces
- Fill out a facilities request form at the Worner Desk, indicating specific dates, time, and technical needs. Make sure to leave enough set-up and breakdown time.
- Joy Walter (Worner Desk) circulates the request to the appropriate parties. Here is the breakdown on the appropriate parties for each space:
South Theatre: Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
Main Space (Atrium): Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
Studio A: Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
Shops: Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
Design Room: Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
IDEA Space: Curator
Class / Seminar Rooms (3): Associate Registrar, in consultation with departments
Studio B: Film Studies (Coordinator, English Department)
Screening Room: Film Studies (Coordinator, English Department)
Experimental Space: Art Studio (Coordinator)
Flex Room: Music (Coordinator)
Armstrong 32 Blackbox: Audio Visual Department
ALL SPACES MUST BE RETURNED TO NEUTRAL (the way you found it) AFTER USE.
SECTION B: The Dance Major / Minor
Table of Contents
The Major / Minor
How to Become a Dance Major or Minor 12
Requirements for a Dance Major 12
Requirements for a Dance Minor 13
Grading Policy for Adjunct Dance Classes 13
Technical Theatre Requirements for Dance Majors/Minors 14
A Quick Look at the Dance Major 15
A Quick Look at the Dance Minor 16
Department Procedures and Practice
Department Expectations & Opportunities for Majors/Minors 17
Senior Project Procedures 18
Senior Project Proposal 19
Department Lending Policy 19
Production and Rehearsal Space Procedures 20
How to Become a Dance Major / Minor
- Read and understand the department’s handbook and philosophy statement.
- Go to the Registrar’s Office and ask for a Declaration of Major form. If applicable, pick up a Declaration of Double Major form instead. If you need to change advisors, pick up a Change of Advisor form.
- Complete the form(s), sign the philosophy statement, and make an appointment to see the Chair of the department. At this meeting, you will discuss areas of interest, career paths, appropriate advisors, and degree progress. Be prepared to discuss your long-term goals, ideas, and aspirations.
- Once the form(s) have been signed, see the Department Coordinator to have your picture taken and then added to the Wall of Fame.
- If you have any questions about this process, please ask any professor in the department or the Department Coordinator.
Requirements for a Dance Major
Dance majors must complete a minimum of 12.75 units in the major. Of these, 2.5 units must be in upper-level technique 300-400 with at least 1.0 unit in modern dance and .50 units in ballet.
Dance majors are required to take Dance Theory courses including:
DA 110: Fundamentals of Design and Technical Theatre
DA 221: Beginning Choreographic Forms: Theory and Practice
DA 225: The Body in Motion: Anatomy and Kinesiology
DA 303: Junior Seminar (Block 3)
DA 311: Social History of Dance: The Birth of Modern Dance in America
DA 322: Music and Dance
DA 404: Senior Thesis / Honors Project
Majors must complete Dance Theory courses DS 223: Improvisation (.25 unit) either concurrently or prior to taking DA 221: Beginning Choreographic Forms and DA 321: Advanced Choreographic Workshop (.50 units).
The remaining two courses are electives, and may not be in Dance Studio. They are to be chosen from any Dance Theory block course or:
DA 100: History of Performance (2 block course; only 1 unit counts toward the major)
DR 105: Acting 1: Introduction
In addition, majors must complete a production participation requirement of .50 units working technical support, which is listed as DR 212-15 Theatre Studio. Technical theatre job requirements should ideally be completed before the final semester of the major. Please see the section on Technical Theatre Requirements for Dance Major/Minors for more details.
Progress Meeting: There will be an annual progress meeting with full faculty and individual student to monitor, assess and advise their progress. Students must bring 10 copies of their unofficial transcript and resume to the meeting.
Dance majors are urged to elect at least one unit in drama that will not count toward the units required for the dance major. Dance majors are also advised to study French as a basis for understanding much of the contemporary and historical vocabulary of dance.
In completing DA 404, all majors must demonstrate their ability to do advanced work in the field. Outstanding work overall will be rewarded with distinction upon graduation.
Requirements for a Dance Minor
The minor in dance consists of 5 units, .25 unit of crew work, and one integrative project worth one unit. Three of the required units are in Dance Theory:
DA 221: Beginning Choreographic Forms: Theory and Practice
DA 311: Social History of Dance: The Birth of Modern Dance in America
DA 322: Music and Dance
one unit is from Dance Studio in upper level technique (300-400), of which 0.50 unit must be in modern dance and 0.25 unit in ballet.
and one elective unit, to be chosen from any Dance Theory block course or:
DA 100: History of Performance (2 block course; only 1 unit counts toward the major)
DR 105: Acting 1: Introduction
DA 110: Fundamentals of Design and Technical Theatre
In addition to course work, dance minors must complete .25 unit of crew work, which is listed as DR 212-15 Theatre Studio. Technical theatre job requirements should ideally be completed before the final semester of the minor. Please see the section on Technical Theatre Requirements for Dance Major/Minors for more details.
Dance minors must also complete an approved junior or senior integrative project that is either appended to a regular block course or registered for as DA 404: Senior Thesis, respectively.
Progress Meeting: There will be an annual progress meeting with full faculty and individual student to monitor and assess their progress. Students must bring 10 copies of their unofficial transcript and resume to the meeting.
Grading Policy for Adjunct Dance Classes
Grading is based on effort, attitude, and improvement exhibited by individual students. Absences will lower the final grade accordingly. Please see individual faculty for class make-up guidelines.
Grade Track: Students may miss 2 classes due to illness or academic conflict over the two-block period, any additional absences must be made-up to get a passing grade.
Pass/Fail: Students may miss 3 classes due to illness or academic conflict over the two-block period, any additional absences must be made-up to pass. Adjunct classes that meet only twice a week may only miss up to 2 classes in order to receive credit for the course.
Audit: Students must complete half of the total class sessions over the two-block period; students attending less than half of the dance classes will be dropped from the audit.
All students taking dance classes MUST sign up for a grade track (G), Pass/Fail, or Audit. No one is permitted to take an adjunct without officially registering for the course.
Technical Theatre Requirements for Dance Majors/Minors
Dance majors must complete .50 unit of crew involvement on a minimum of 2 shows. Dance minors must complete .25 unit on a minimum of 1 show. In order to focus on technical/design issues in dance, dance majors/minors assignments might include fabricating costumes, sound/light board operation, makeup, costume running crew, or stage management.
Stage management is an exception to this requirement. Stage-managing one department production fulfills all crew requirements for the major (.50 unit), due to the depth of involvement in all areas of technical theatre.
The department Cornerstone bulletin board, outside office 320, will list technical and design opportunities available for the academic year. Students should discuss their needs and desires for assignments with the design professors, directors and the technical director early in the academic year to insure that they reserve positions that are beneficial and well suited to them. Please see crew job manuals posted on the website for specifics.
Hours can be completed only on departmental productions. Theatre Workshop, Dance Workshop, paid crew hours, class-required crew hours, and senior projects DO NOT fulfill this requirement.
The technical jobs requirement will be listed as DR 212 (Block 2 Production); DR 213 (Block 4 Production); DR 214 (Block 5 Production); DA 214 (Faculty Dance Concert); and DR 215 (Block 8 Production). The student will receive credit and a grade for their technical work. The professor of record will be either the director of the specific production or the director of the Faculty Dance Concert. You must register under the appropriate production either before or during the course of the production. You may NOT add the course after the production is over. Crew hours and job completion status are maintained by the Professor of Record.
Students are entirely responsible for registering for DR212-15 Theatre Studio, and getting the appropriate faculty signatures. Late registrations will not be considered, and students will lose any hours they have already put in for certain jobs.
How to sign-up for DR 212-215:
Each course number represents 0.25 units of credit.
DR 212 1642 Theatre Studio: Name of 2nd Block Production (Acting) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 212 1652 Theatre Studio: Name of 2nd Block Production (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 212 1662 Theatre Studio: Name of 2nd Block Production (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 212 1672 Theatre Studio: Name of 2nd Block Production (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 213 3614 Theatre Studio: Name of 4th Block Production (Acting) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 213 3624 Theatre Studio: Name of 4th Block Production (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 213 3634 Theatre Studio: Name of 4th Block Production (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 213 3644 Theatre Studio: Name of 4th Block Production (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 214 5616 Theatre Studio: Name of 5th Block Production (Acting) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 214 5626 Theatre Studio: Name of 5th Block Production (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 214 5636 Theatre Studio: Name of 5th Block Production (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 214 5646 Theatre Studio: Name of 5th Block Production (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
DA 214 5616 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DA 214 5636 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DA 214 5646 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 215 7618 Theatre Studio: Name of 8th Block Production (Acting) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 215 7628 Theatre Studio: Name of 8th Block Production (Technical Theatre Job) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 215 7638 Theatre Studio: Name of 8th Block Production (Stage Manager – Rehearsal) – Name of Professor of Record
DR 215 7648 Theatre Studio: Name of 8th Block Production (Stage Manager – Performance) – Name of Professor of Record
A Quick Look at the Dance Major
| Units | Category | R Class |
| 7.0 |
Required Theory |
q DR 110 Fundamentals of Design and Technical Theater q DA 221 Beg. Choreographic Forms (with DA 223) q DA 225 The Body in Motion: Anatomy and Kinesiology q DA 303 Junior Seminar (Block 3) q DA 311 History: the Birth of Modern Dance q DA 322 Music and Dance q DA 404 Senior Project |
| 2.75 | Required Technique Adjuncts
Each adjunct is worth 0.25 units |
q Total 1.0 unit from upper level (300-400 level) Modern q Total 0.50 units from upper level (300-400 level) Ballet q Total 1.0 unit is elective at any level, in any genre (CC Dance Festival counts as 1 unit) q 0.25 unit DS 223 Improvisation (Taken in conjunction or prior to DA 221 Beg. Choreographic Forms) |
| 0.50 | Extended Format
(Required) |
q DA 321 Adv. Choreographic Forms (Taken in Conjunction or prior to DA 221: Beg. Choreographic Forms) |
| 2.0 | Electives |
Two electives are required. Please see departmental offerings / independent studies & internships from our current catalog. |
| 0.50 | Crew Hours |
Pick TWO from below: q DR 212 Theatre Studio: 1st Drama Production q DR 213 Theatre Studio: 2nd Drama Production q DR 214 Theatre Studio: 3rd Drama Production q DA 214 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert q DR 215 Theatre Studio: 4th Drama Production
Each class is worth 0.25 units, thus two classes must be completed for the major. DW does not qualify. Please see handbook for specific course numbers pertaining to crew positions, i.e. stage manager, costume, etc.
|
| 12.75 | Total Units Required |
A Quick Look at the Dance Minor
| Units | Category | R Class |
| 3.0 | Required Theory |
q DA 221 Beg. Choreographic Forms q DA 311 History: the Birth of Modern Dance q DA 322 Music and Dance |
| 1.0 | Required Technique Adjunct
Each adjunct is worth 0.25 units |
q Total 1.0 unit Intermediate or Upper level (200-400 level) |
| 1.0 | Elective |
One elective is required. Please see departmental offerings / independent studies & internships from our current catalog. |
| 0.25 | Crew Hours |
Pick ONE from below: q DR 212 Theatre Studio: 1st Drama Production q DR 213 Theatre Studio: 2nd Drama Production q DR 214 Theatre Studio: 3rd Drama Production q DA 214 Theatre Studio: Faculty Dance Concert q DR 215 Theatre Studio: 4th Drama Production Each class is worth 0.25 units. DW does not qualify. Please see handbook for specific course numbers pertaining to crew positions, i.e. stage manager, costume, etc. |
| 1.0 | Integrative Project |
q Integrative project appended to a regular block course or taken independently as DA 404: Senior Project |
| 6.25 | Total Units Required |
Department Expectations and Opportunities
- Participation. Because you have chosen Drama or Dance as your academic major, you will be expected to participate fully in the department’s productions.
- Distinction. Students who successfully participate in all aspects of Drama and/or Dance (literature/theory/history, performance, technical/design) retain a GPA of at least 3.0 within the major, and complete an outstanding Senior Project/Thesis will be considered for Distinction in Drama or Dance upon graduation.
- Variety. You will be encouraged to investigate different aspects of Drama and Dance disciplines. For example, regardless of whether you are an actor or dancer you will be encouraged to help build a set, run the light or sound board for a production, be in charge of getting props, stage manage, assist in the costume shop, etc. Conversely, if you are a designer or a technical theatre student, you will be encouraged to act, dance, or direct.
- Meetings. You will be required to attend all department majors meetings.
- Junior Seminar. All Junior majors are required to take the Junior Seminar class in Block 3 of their Junior year.
- Senior Proposals. In Block 7 of your junior year, you will be asked to formally propose your Senior Project. See page 19 for senior proposal guidelines.
- Activities. Throughout the year, the department schedules many activities intended to enrich your experiences and understanding of performance. You are expected to attend these department-sponsored events / activities. All majors should check the callboard for special announcements regularly.
- Academic Standing. College policy states that you must earn a C- or better to receive credit for any major core requirement.
- Internships. As a major, you will be encouraged to do an internship in your area of interest. Before you do this, however, you must talk to a faculty member about what you would like to accomplish, what venue you would like to work in, and how DR 325 Independent Study: Internship will be contracted. Remember: faculty have many contacts in the profession and are here to make your undergraduate career fulfilling and challenging.
- Independent Studies. There are specific procedures for registering for Independent Studies. After you have met and talked to a faculty member about why and what you would like to do and they have agreed to be your mentor and the professor of record, obtain an Independent Study Drop/Add Slip from the Registrar and sign up for DR 325 Independent Studies: Title of Proposal. Next, you need to write a contract with your faculty mentor, stating your intentions and goals. This proposal must then be approved by the Chair, and he/she must sign you add slip. Note: Department professors mentor Independent Studies as overloads and are not obliged to take them on.
Senior Project Procedures
1. All senior majors in the department must complete DA 404 Senior Project.
The Senior Thesis Project is a rigorous, self-generated project, which serves as the creative and intellectual culmination of the student’s undergraduate career. Your senior thesis project can take a range of forms: performance, writing a play or performance piece, designing set or costumes or lighting, a community-based project, a research paper or other. Collaborative resources developed during Junior Seminar support the student’s process in creating a senior project. The faculty encourages collaborative theses with fellow seniors.
2. Unless your senior thesis is a research paper, a supporting paper of approximately 20 pages must accompany your senior thesis to include the following critical and reflective components:
Some Approaches to the Critical Component (approximately 10-12 pages):
- A Dramaturgical Analysis: Here you would explore particular themes or questions, which your piece examines. Writing a dramaturgical analysis involves delving deeply into the work, finding themes and implications within its structure and history.
- A Performance History Approach: Here you would do more specific historical research into the form, subject, and/or playwright of your project.
- Performance Analysis: Here you could scrutinize the various components of your project through performance theories developed by, for example, Doris Humphrey, Merce Cunningham, Pina Bausch, Deborah Hay, etc. You could focus on one or two particular concepts (visual focus, spatial relationships, music, video or collaborative elements) and discuss how different practitioners understand those concepts and then how and why you are exploring them in your work.
Critical Reflection (approximately 5-7 pages):
- Here you would address the planning, structure, and execution of your work. What proved most challenging? What aspect(s) was (were) most rewarding? Why? How? What new questions did your project raise for you? What did you learn about your creative process? What did you learn about CC and/or the Drama/Dance Department? How might this process impact your future experience with performance? What aspects of the performance might you revise? Why? How?
Dance minors are encouraged to register for DA 404 as a way of fulfilling their integrative project requirement. The same procedures apply. If the student chooses to write a paper for the Minor integrative project, it should be approximately 10 pages in length. After the completion of the senior thesis/project, the majors/minors will have a meeting with their mentor where they will receive an evaluation of the process and product.
Senior Project Proposal
In Block 7 of junior year, all majors will be required to make a senior project proposal to the faculty and staff. This proposal should include the following:
- A title and a description of the thesis project or written thesis.
- An explanation of how this senior thesis is a culmination of your education, with specific references to classes that you will call on in order to make the proposal come alive.
- An explanation of how you came to this idea, i.e. give us a hint as to its germination.
- A proposed timeline for the thesis project or written thesis, including start dates, meeting frequency with advisors, and performance/supporting paper completion dates.
- A budget; the department will reimburse you up to a maximum of $150.
- A request for space, if applicable.
- An indication of performers and all the necessary and probable components needed.
- A roster of technical support, if applicable. Please note that the department technical staff is NOT your technical crew, and will not serve in that capacity under any circumstances. We expect that the department requirements of DA 110 and elective classes such as Lighting Design and Costume Design will serve you in good stead. Should you require crew including a stage manager, lighting designer, etc., please contact them before your presentation, and make sure that they are aware of their obligation.
- A request for a specific advisor, who will be your professor of record. Advisors must be in the Department of Drama and Dance.
The proposal should be professional and polished. It should last approximately 15 minutes, with 5 minutes of questions/comments after the presentation. After the proposal is made, the department will consider it at length and then respond with suggestions. In some cases, we will ask you to present again, in the first week of the fall semester, in order to give you more time to consider the proposal.
Department Lending Policies
Props:
The department props collection is available for department productions, classes, and senior projects. Props and furniture are not for personal use. Contact the technical staff for information and access.
Costumes:
The Colorado College Costume Collection is available for productions. Departmental use has priority. Other appropriate use of the Collection is for Theatre Workshop and Dance Workshop productions, educational projects for all college departments and Senior Projects. Costumes are not available for personal use or classroom scenes. To access any part of the collection, you must make an appointment with the costume shop supervisor. Certain items within the collection are not available for checkout. A refundable damage deposit will be required for any costume checked out from the collection. The deposit is refunded when the costumes are returned cleaned and undamaged. Cleaning costs are the responsibility of the borrower.
Lights:
Lights and lighting equipment are available to use on site and with the permission of the Lighting Supervisor. South Theater, Studio A and Atrium Spaces are well equipped with theatrical lighting. Classrooms in the CAC building are equipped with dimming overhead lights (non-theatrical), which can be programmed and used in performance. The Cornerstone building is designed to be used creatively and many areas of the building are utilized for performance outside of these actual classrooms or theaters.
Cossitt Gym is a Drama/Dance sponsored performance space that can also be booked to use with available lights and sound. The Lighting Supervisor will direct the use of these spaces and equipment with prior notice.
Sound and Video Equipment:
Most sound and video equipment will be provided through Audio/Visual Services in Armstrong. Any AV equipment belonging to the Drama and Dance Department will be checked out through our technical department. Please check with the technical staff and follow the aforementioned procedures for borrowing items.
Production and Rehearsal Space Procedures
Protocol for requesting Cossitt Gym, North Studio, South Studio, Amphitheater
Contact Patrizia Herminjard at 719-389-6353 or pherminjard@coloradocollege.edu
Protocols for requesting EKG/CAC Spaces
- Fill out a facilities request form at the Worner Desk, indicating specific dates, time, and technical needs. Make sure to leave enough set-up and breakdown time.
- Joy Walter (Worner Desk) circulates the request to the appropriate parties. Here is the breakdown on the appropriate parties for each space:
South Theatre: Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
Main Space (Atrium): Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
Studio A: Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
Shops: Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
Design Room: Drama/Dance (Coordinator/Chair/Tech Staff)
IDEA Space: Curator
Class / Seminar Rooms (3): Associate Registrar, in consultation with departments
Studio B: Film Studies (Coordinator, English Department)
Screening Room: Film Studies (Coordinator, English Department)
Experimental Space: Art Studio (Coordinator)
Flex Room: Music (Coordinator)
Armstrong 32 Blackbox: Audio Visual Department
ALL SPACES MUST BE RETURNED TO NEUTRAL (the way you found it) AFTER USE.