DRAMA (Drama)
Stage I
DRAMA 100G - Presentation and Performance Skills: Taking the Stage (15 pts)π³
Focuses on enhancing oral communication and performance skills through interactive workshops with speakers and performers highlighting the transferable skills of acting in three main areas: public speaking, improvising and group- devised performance. Earth Sciences
Stage II
DRAMA 202A - (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 202B - History and Performance (30 pts)π³
Explores a range of major plays from ancient Greek tragedy to contemporary New Zealand drama. This course examines plays in their historical context and as texts for performance. In Semester Two, students learn skills in theatre production by staging a full-length play, directed by an outside professional director.
DRAMA 203 - Drama of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific (15 pts)π³
An overview of the development of modern and contemporary drama, theatre and playwriting in Aotearoa New Zealand. Topics include: experimental theatre, feminist drama and MΔori drama. Some plays by Pacific writers will be considered.
DRAMA 205 - Special Topic (15 pts)π³
Stage III
DRAMA 301 - Drama: Topics and Themes (15 pts)π³
Building on the principles and practical skills from DRAMA 202 and 204, the course will focus more narrowly on topics of theatrical practice and dramatic representation. Classes involve theatrical workshops and collaborative projects.
DRAMA 302 - Performance Skills (15 pts)π³
Classes in stage acting, improvisation, movement, voice and character, taught by professional tutors. Students will present a solo or duo short performance.
DRAMA 303 - Drama of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific (15 pts)π³
An overview of the development of modern and contemporary drama, theatre and playwriting in Aotearoa New Zealand. Topics include: experimental theatre, feminist drama and MΔori drama. Some plays by Pacific writers will be considered.
DRAMA 304 - Contemporary Theatre Practice (15 pts)π³
A survey of current trends in theatre practice, including: devised and dance-theatre, participatory and immersive theatre, autobiographical performance, applied theatre and documentary theatre, intermedial and virtual theatre, and new musical theatre. Students will select focus areas and Education 721 and engage in critical and creative research towards two key performance outcomes.
DRAMA 305 - Drama Tools (15 pts)π³
Develops the skills that are essential in theatre-making, including acting and storytelling, by staging a public performance. During the intensive three-week rehearsal period, under the guidance of an experienced director, students work in a collaborative fashion through ongoing group discussion and theatrical practice. Other transferable skills include effective communication, team-work and problem solving in an active and creative manner.
DRAMA 306 - Production and Management Skills (15 pts)π³
Introduces students to multiple roles and skills needed for the management of productions, companies and other organisations in the performing-arts, specifically drama, but also dance, music and other performance art. Skills discussed include planning and creating schedules and budgets, procuring and managing resources, arts organisation infrastructure and liaison, donor and benefactor development, social marketing and networking, crowdfunding, and outcome reporting.
DRAMA 307 - Special Topic (15 pts)π³
Postgraduate 700 Level Courses
DRAMA 708 - Drama and the Mind (30 pts)π³
Examines a selection of modern British and Irish dramatic texts that involve mind-body relationships and the representation of unconscious processes. Perspectives include Freudian psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and theories of acting.
DRAMA 709 - (45 pts)π³
DRAMA 709A - (22.5 pts)π³
DRAMA 709B - Studio - Level 9 (22.5 pts)π³
A practical, explorative theatre or drama project, with written reflection, nominated by the student or a small group of students. Projects must be approved and supervised.
DRAMA 710 - Semester One Production (30 pts)π³
Students participate in a full-scale, public production of a full-length play. As far as possible all roles from acting to lighting to design to stage-management to front of house etc will be taken by students enrolled in the course. Direction will be by teaching staff or guest director.
DRAMA 711 - Semester Two Production (30 pts)π³
Students participate in a full-scale public production of a full-length play. As far as possible all roles from acting to lighting to design to stage-management to front of house etc will be taken by students enrolled in the course. Direction will be by teaching staff or guest director.
DRAMA 716 - Directed Study in Playwriting (15 pts)π³
A study of playwriting or workshopping or dramaturgy or a short writing project, either original or adaptation.
DRAMA 717A - (30 pts)π³
DRAMA 717B - Long Play (30 pts)π³
The writing of a complete play for live performance between one hour and two hours in length.
DRAMA 718 - Playwriting (30 pts)π³
A series of exercises in the basic building blocks of dramatic writing, incorporating guest visits from practising and established dramatists.
DRAMA 719 - Performance Skills (15 pts)π³
Classes in stage acting, improvisation, movement, voice and character. Students will present a solo performance and a short study in performance training theory.
DRAMA 720 - (30 pts)π³
DRAMA 720A - (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 720B - Advanced Playwriting (15 pts)π³
Develops skills in playwriting with each student working under supervision.
DRAMA 721 - Directed Study in Drama 1 (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 722 - Directed Study in Drama 2 (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 723 - (30 pts)π³
DRAMA 723A - (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 723B - Special Topic (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 724 - (30 pts)π³
DRAMA 724A - (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 724B - Special Topic (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 725 - Special Topic in Drama (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 726 - Special Topic (30 pts)π³
DRAMA 728 - Research Principles for Theatre (30 pts)π³
Outlines the principles of research for theatre. Combines critical enquiry, theory and practical exercises to explore best practice in scholarly and creative performance and Education 722 research. Topics include developing a subject, refining a research question, scholarly research practices, using the creative process as research methodology, and framing research findings. Examines impact of language, culture and gender on theatre research.
DRAMA 730 - (30 pts)π³
DRAMA 730A - (15 pts)π³
DRAMA 730B - Studio/Project in Practical Drama (15 pts)π³
Students may undertake a supervised practical project in drama of a limited scale, either as an individual or in a small group.
DRAMA 770 - (60 pts)π³
DRAMA 770A - (30 pts)π³
DRAMA 770B - Studio/Project in Drama - Level 9 (30 pts)π³
Substantial individual and group project(s), including some public presentation of project work.