Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

DRAM 12 - Rehearsal and Performance in Production

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU/UC
Prerequisite
Audition required
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Activity: 102.00 Contact hours/51.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 102.00 Contact hours/51.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course provides instruction and supervised participation in theatre rehearsal and performance. This course may be repeated 3 times to meet the requirements of the AA-T in Theatre Arts. (C-ID THTR 191).

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Evaluate and analyze a script for rehearsal and performance.
  2. Create and dramatize the behavioral life of a character in rehearsal and performance.
  3. Demonstrate a strong work ethic within a professional framework of collaboration.
  4. Apply basic skills and methods to performing a role on stage.
  5. Use and maintain basic production elements such as props, costumes, and furniture to create the world of a chosen play.
  6. Recognize and demonstrate their collaborative responsibilities with the director and designers in rehearsal and in performance.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture/Activity

Lecture/Activity topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec HrsAct Hrs
  1. Rehearsal and performance protocol and procedures.
    1. The actor’s responsibilities
    2. The director’s responsibilities
    3. Production staff responsibilities
4.00
  1. Evaluation of the historical and thematic elements of the play
    1. The author’s intentions
    2. The political, social, philosophical and moral agenda of the play
    3. Interpretation and evaluation of the historical circumstances
4.00
  1. Actor’s script evaluation
    1. Scoring the role
    2. Exploration and creation of prior circumstances
    3. Creation of the time and place obligations for the script
    4. Identification and evaluation of character obligation
5.00
  1. Acting skill approaches
    1. Relationship work with the other actors
    2. Creation of the behavioral life of the character
    3. Preparations for investing in the emotional life of the role
    4. Outlining the needs and pursuits of the character
8.00
  1. Staging
    1. Working with the director
    2. Justifying physical action
    3. Creation of character behavior
    4. Use of props, costumes and scenery elements
25.00
  1. Rehearsal
    1. Use of given circumstances to justify dialog
    2. Use of voice with projection and clarity of speech
    3. Creative collaboration with other actors
35.00
  1. Integration of production elements with performance
    1. Props
    2. Scenery
    3. Lighting/sound
    4. Costumes
5.00
  1. Performance
    1. Justification of play’s action and dialog
    2. Vocal performance
    3. Dynamics of dialog and behavior
    4. Warm-ups and preparations
    5. Responsible collaboration and performance standards
16.00
Total Hours:0.00102.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Class Activities
  2. Collaborative Group Work
  3. Group Discussions
  4. Homework: Students are required to complete one hour of outside-of-class homework for every two hours of activity
  5. Instructor Demonstrations
  6. Reading Assignments
  7. Public performance

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Oral Presentation
  3. Journal
  4. Class participation
  5. Written Examinations
  6. Short papers
  7. Observation and critique of student performance and class exercises

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Read the entire script for production in preparation for rehearsal.
  2. Read background material on the history of the play and be prepared to discuss how it will affect your performance.

Writing Assignments

  1. Write a 1-2 page summary of the background material on the script, highlighting key themes, historical or cultural context, and relevant author information to better understand the play's setting and purpose.
  2. Write a 500 word reflection on the process of memorizing your assigned lines and cue lines of other actors, discussing techniques you used for memorization, challenges you faced, and how understanding the cues improves your performance and interaction with other characters.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Write a 2-3 page analysis examining your character's role in the plot, focusing on their motivations, relationships, and impact on key events and the story's resolution. Include examples from the script.
  2. Prepare detailed blocking for Act I, Scene II by mapping character entrances, exits, movements, and key interactions for the next rehearsal.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Michael Kostroff. (2022). The Stage Actor’s Handbook. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1st. 978-1538160435.

Other Learning Materials

Script (assigned by instructor)

Minimum Qualifications

Drama/Theater Arts (Masters Required)