Drama

Course System Home All Areas of Study Drama

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Term
Time & Day Offered
Level
Credits
Course Duration

Creative Collaboration in Writing and Performance — DRA4261.01

Spring 2018
Instructor: Kirk Jackson
Credits: 4
This class is about surviving the crucible of creative collaboration to satisfy the instant gratification of a hungry audience. Students write, produce and perform serialized stories. The class will divide into storyline teams; each team writes and performs three scenes of a developing narrative every week. Each episode will necessitate meeting at least four times per week with
Drama

Creative Strategies for Artists — APA2165.01

Spring 2019
Instructor: Aaron Landsman
Credits: 2
This course examines production methods and career strategies for emerging artists, especially those working across genres. Specifically, we will focus on fundraising via donations, grants, commissions, day jobs and other sources; strategic planning, especially when looking at socially-engaged practice; written and verbal communications; working with venues; promotion and press
CAPA Dance Drama Visual Arts

Demystifying Scenic Design — DRA2135.01

Spring 2014
Instructor: Michael Schweikardt
Credits: 4
Creating set designs for plays and musicals may seem like a great mystery, but the key to successful set design is always found in the authors original text. An understanding of that text is vital to creating an imaginative performance space that serves the storytelling. Once the essence of the original work is understood, the set designers creative process can begin. Students
Drama Visual Arts

Design Collaboration: Visualizing the Script — DRA2307.01

Fall 2020
Instructor: Michael Giannitti
Credits: 2
Even before the pandemic, directors and designers working on productions at resident theaters around America commonly began their collaborative processes by sharing visual materials remotely, and meeting through video or phone conferencing. Whether on campus or working remotely, students in this course will develop work using this collaborative approach. Following an
Drama

Design from Nature — DRA4236.01

Fall 2019
Instructor: Charles Schoonmaker
Credits: 2
This is a class for students interested in Costume Design. We will work with inspiration from the natural world to design clothing, one example being Christian Dior’s ‘Tulip line’ of 1953. Students should be confident about their ability to express ideas in a graphic platform and medium, and interested in expanding their understanding of clothing design. The classic tools for
Drama

Design From Nature — DRA4236.01

Spring 2023
Instructor: Charles Schoonmaker
Credits: 4
This is a class for students interested in Costume Design, and theatrical design in general. We will work with inspiration from the natural world to design clothing, one example being Christian Dior’s ‘Tulip line’ of 1953. Students should be confident about their ability to express ideas in a graphic platform and medium, and interested in expanding their understanding of
Dance Drama

Design With a Vintage Lens — DRA4389.01

Spring 2024
Instructor: Carly Rudzinski
Credits: 4
This fashion history and design class is for students with a background and interest in theatrical design. We will examine and explore vintage garments from the instructor’s personal collection and the Bennington College costume collection. The class will explore the garments, looking at the materials and their construction, the designers who created them, and their historical
Drama

Design: The Ballets Russes — DRA2147.01

Spring 2015
Instructor: Charles Schoonmaker
Credits: 4
The designs of the productions of Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes exerted a strong influence on fashion and decor beginning with the first Paris season in 1909. In this class we will examine the design of the ballets and the designers including Bakst, Benois, Goncharova and Picasso. Students will do design projects and research projects.
Dance Drama

Designing "Daughters of Io" — DRA4118.01

Fall 2015
Instructor: Charles Schoonmaker
Days & Time: TBA
Credits: 4
This is a production class that will be centered on designing the costumes for "Daughters of Io" a new play by Quincy Long, directed by faculty member Kathleen Dimmick.  Students will work on the design elements of the costumes and the realization of the costume design. Activities will include conception, rendering, sourcing, shopping, fitting and working closely with the
Drama

Designing a Light Plot — DRA2235.02

Fall 2015
Instructor: Michael Giannitti
Days & Time: TBA
Credits: 2
As a follow-up to the course Working With Light, students in this class will learn how to integrate lighting design ideas with the parameters found in theater spaces, as well as deal with the challenges of scenery and performance of lighting equipment. Design drafting will be emphasized in this course. In one major project, students will synthesize and apply material covered to
Dance Drama

Designing a Light Plot — DRA2235.01

Fall 2013
Instructor: Michael Giannitti
Days & Time: TBA
Credits: 2
As a follow-up to the course Working With Light, students in this class will learn how to merge lighting design ideas with the constraints inherent in theater spaces, scenery and lighting equipment. Design drafting will be emphasized in this course. In one major project, students will synthesize and apply material covered to develop (on paper) a complete lighting design.
Drama

Designing a Light Plot — DRA2235.02

Spring 2019
Instructor: Michael Giannitti
Credits: 2
As a follow-up to the course Working With Light, students in this class will learn how to integrate lighting design ideas with the architectural parameters of theater spaces, and deal with the challenges and opportunities imposed by scenery and various light sources. Design drafting will be emphasized in this course, beginning with hand drafting and moving on to Vectorworks CAD
Drama

Designing a Light Plot — DRA2235.02

Fall 2017
Instructor: Michael Giannitti
Credits: 2
As a follow-up to the course Working With Light, students in this class will learn how to integrate lighting design ideas with the architectural parameters of theater spaces, and deal with the challenges and opportunities imposed by scenery and various light sources. Design drafting will be emphasized in this course, beginning with hand drafting and moving on to Vectorworks CAD
Drama

Designing a Light Plot — DRA2235.02

Fall 2014
Instructor: michael giannitti
Days & Time: TBA
Credits: 2
As a follow-up to the course Working With Light, students in this class will learn how to merge lighting design ideas with the constraints inherent in theater spaces, scenery and lighting equipment. Design drafting will be emphasized in this course. In one major project, students will synthesize and apply material covered to develop (on paper) a complete lighting design.
Drama

Designing a Light Plot — DRA4338.02

Fall 2025
Instructor: Michael Giannitti
Days & Time: WE 8:30am-12:10pm
Credits: 2

As a follow-up to the course Working With Light, participants in this class will learn how to adapt lighting design ideas to work within the common constraints of theater architecture and scenery. We will take a deep dive into the process of choosing lighting equipment and figuring out where it needs to be, in relation to everything else in the

Dance Drama

Devising Performance and Collaborative Creation — DRA2263.01

Spring 2016
Instructor: Jean Randich
Credits: 4
“Devised Performance” emerged in the 50’s and 60’s when American avant-garde groups such as the Living Theatre and Open Theatre pioneered non-text-based rehearsal and performance practices to liberate and empower the actor. We will investigate the history, philosophies, and evolving techniques of this ensemble-based movement in which the company generates all aspects of the
Drama

Devising: Creation Stories — DRA2319.01

Spring 2024
Instructor: Jean Randich
Credits: 4
Devising is a form of collaborative creation in which the performers themselves author every moment of the performance. It is made by and belongs to them. In this course we will devise a theatrical work inspired both by creation myths and contemporary stories, and what they mean for us today. Students will adapt myths and stories they choose from current events to bring an
Dance Drama Music Visual Arts

Devising: Moving through Time and Space — DRA2177.01

Spring 2020
Instructor: Jean Randich
Credits: 4
“The beauty here is a beauty you feel in your flesh. You feel it physically….Other beauty takes only the heart, or the mind.” (Barry Lopez, “Arctic Dreams.”) Devising is a form of collaborative creation in which the performers themselves author every moment of a performance from movement to text (if any), to spatial relationships, clothing, entrances and exits, etc. The “stage
Dance Drama

Digital Modeling — MA2104.01

Spring 2017
Instructor: Sue Rees
Credits: 2
This course introduces students to the basic language of 3D modeling, including shading, texturing and lighting models. A series of modeled objects, using a chess set as the catalyst, and spaces, based upon a text, will be created. Additionally, during the course we will print forms, utilizing 3D printers. This class will be appropriate for students interested in animation, set
Drama Visual Arts

Directing I: The Director's Vision — DRA4332.01

Spring 2021
Instructor: Jean Randich
Credits: 4
What is action? What is character? What are gesture, timing, rhythm and stakes? How do actors, playwrights, directors, and the audience collaborate to create an experience in space and time? This seminar offers young theater artists the chance to examine the craft from the inside out. Throughout the course everyone participates in all exercises and assignments. Non-writers
Drama

Directing I: The Director's Vision — DRA4332.01

Spring 2026
Instructor: Jean Randich
Days & Time: T 2:10PM-6:00PM, F 2:10PM-4:00PM
Credits: 4

What is action? What is character? What is an “event”? What are gestures, timing, rhythm and stakes? How do actors, playwrights, and directors collaborate to create an experience/event in space and time? How do illusion and anti-illusion collude and compete to make the representation “real?” This workshop/seminar offers theater artists the chance to examine their craft from

Drama

Directing I: The Director's Vision — DRA4332.01

Spring 2017
Instructor: Jean Randich
Credits: 4
What is action? What is character? What are gesture, timing, rhythm and stakes? How do actors, playwrights, and directors collaborate to create an experience in space and time? This seminar offers theater artists the chance to examine their craft from the inside out. Throughout the course everyone participates in all exercises and assignments. Non-writers make up stories, non
Drama

Directing I: The Director's Vision — DRA4332.01

Spring 2025
Instructor: Jean Randich
Credits: 4
What is action? What is character? What is an “event”? What are gestures, timing, rhythm and stakes? How do actors, playwrights, and directors collaborate to create an experience/event in space and time? How do illusion and anti-illusion collude and compete to make the representation “real?” This workshop/seminar offers theater artists the chance to examine their craft from the
Drama

Directing I: The Director's Vision — DRA4332.01

Spring 2024
Instructor: Jean Randich
Credits: 4
What is action? What is character? What is an “event”? What are gestures, timing, rhythm and stakes? How do actors, playwrights, and directors collaborate to create an experience/event in space and time? How do illusion and anti-illusion collude and compete to make the representation “real?” This workshop/seminar offers theater artists the chance to examine their craft from the
Drama