Register now
- Register through May 21.
Related courses
- CREA S-45a Beginning Screenwriting
- CREA S-120r Advanced Screenwriting
- ENGL S-124e Shakespeare
- SCAN S-115 Nordic Cinema
- SWGS S-1430 Feminist Theater
- SWGS S-1453 Icons of Masculinity on Film
- VISU S-72 Film History and Social History: American Dreams and Nightmares 1933-1956
- VISU S-151 Art and Technique of Fiction Film Directing
- VISU S-159 Cinematic Vision: Scriptwriting for Production
Dramatic Arts Courses
- DRAM S-10 Introduction to Acting
- DRAM S-11 Acting Workshop: Developing a Character
- DRAM S-12 Acting Workshop: Shakespeare
- DRAM S-13 Acting Workshop: Comedy
- DRAM S-17a Intermediate Acting
- DRAM S-21 Improvisational Acting
- DRAM S-22 Directing
- DRAM S-24 Performing Musical Theater
- DRAM S-123 Modern Dance Technique and Choreography
- DRAM S-140 Public Speaking
DRAM S-10 Introduction to Acting (30038)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course concentrates on the development of imagination, observation, focus of attention, and the effective use of materials drawn from life. Students work on acting scenes, which include an approach to textual analysis, as well as practice in communication, personal involvements, and the accomplishment of stage tasks. Class work includes extensive individual coaching and ensemble work. (4 credits)
DRAM S-11 Acting Workshop: Developing a Character (30039)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 9:30 am-noon.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course helps students develop a dramatic character through comic mask work, improvisation, commedia dell'arte physicality, the techniques of farce, and scene work from plays by Oscar Wilde, Anton Chekhov, Noel Coward, Kaufman and Hart, and Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Students learn to develop their characters' gestures, language, and voice. Theatricality and characterization are examined through text, exercises, and film. (4 credits)
DRAM S-12 Acting Workshop: Shakespeare (30040)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9:30 am-noon.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course examines the plays of Shakespeare as theater, with an American approach to acting them, verse speaking, and characterization. Scenes from the plays are interpreted and rehearsed in light of the modern experience. Students learn how to develop Shakespearean characters through rehearsal, text analysis, and vocal and physical exercises, as well as exterior observation work including the showing of certain films. Plays are likely to include Twelfth Night and Julius Caesar; two other plays will be selected by the instructor and the class. (4 credits)
DRAM S-13 Acting Workshop: Comedy (31517)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-3 pm. Optional sections to be arranged.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course develops the actor's approach to and playing of comedy and humor. Using characters and scenes from Shakespeare, Molière, Shaw, and a diverse group of contemporary writers from Christopher Durang to Steve Martin, the course focuses on the universality of comic technique and the specific demands of comic playing. The question of humor is also explored with respect to dramatic situations and characters that are inherently serious. Scenes are cast, developed, and presented by students and critiqued by members of the American Repertory Theatre Company. (4 credits)
DRAM S-17a Intermediate Acting (32123)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This is a course for actors interested in theater, TV, and film, and for directors interested in learning how to work with actors. It's best if the student has had some acting experience or training. Students rehearse scenes outside of class and present them in class. Students also learn various audition techniques and have the opportunity to develope monologues for use in auditions. Prerequisites: some acting experience, either in a class or on stage. Fluency in English is important for completing the work in this class. Not being fluent in English may preclude participation in scene work and limit a student to monologue work. Students need to prepare a two-minute contemporary monologue to present the first day of class. It should be rehearsed and memorized. (4 credits)
DRAM S-21 Improvisational Acting (32212)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course is designed not only for students of the theater, but also for those with an interest in politics and debate, public speaking, trial law, and education, as well as a broad range of other careers. Students explore various improvisational techniques that fuse intellect, humor, imagination, voice, and body. (4 credits)
DRAM S-22 Directing (30043)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course is for directors interested in theater, TV, and film. The bulk of the work uses live actors working on theater and film scripts. Scenes are rehearsed outside of class and then presented in the classroom. While the majority of scenes are presented live in class, students are welcome to bring in edited video or film scenes for their scene work. (Equipment is not provided; students must use their own video cameras, laptops, and software.) The class focuses on finding the strongest way to tell a story on stage and with film. The class accommodates all levels, from students with no experience to people interested in pursuing directing professionally. (4 credits)
DRAM S-24 Performing Musical Theater (31956)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-3 pm. Optional sections Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-4 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
In this course we explore how to create a polished and convincing song performance. Each class meeting begins with a group warmup, reviewing the basics of good singing technique. Through individual work, we approach each song from both a musical and a dramatic standpoint, discussing character, story, and presentation. Students delve deeply into the song texts, working them as monologues. Group exercises are used to help create character and spontaneity, and students are sometimes asked to participate in classmates' songs to help them create a believable scene. We also learn a group number, incorporating harmony singing and learning how to stage an ensemble piece. Time is also spent discussing how to prepare for a musical theater audition, including choice of repertoire, how to make a 16 or 32 bar cut, and how to interact with the accompanist. The final consists of a polished presentation of each student's song, using all the elements explored throughout the term. Prerequisite: willingness to sing in front of the class. (4 credits)
DRAM S-123 Modern Dance Technique and Choreography (32748)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-3 pm.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course explores the boundless potential of dance and the expressive capacity of the body through modern dance technique, improvisation, history, theory, and choreography. Through a combination of readings, discussion, videos, technique classes, and movement studies, the course focuses on how movement choices develop dances that are kinetic and artistic. No previous dance training is necessary. (4 credits)
DRAM S-140 Public Speaking
Section 1 (32727)
Class times: Mondays, Wednesdays, 8:30-11:30 am.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
Section 2 (32763)
Class times: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8:30-11:30 am.
Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $2,700.
Harvard College students see additional information.
Limited enrollment.
This course aims to introduce students to a practical, hands-on approach to effective public speaking. Our focus is on developing a personal style of speaking that is confident, spontaneous, energetic, and vocally and physically expressive. Through acting exercises, speech presentations, and individual coaching, students learn how to present and develop a convincing argument while maintaining an audience's interest. The course is aimed at anyone who would like to improve their ability to speak in front of small or large groups, regardless of experience. (4 credits)
