DRAM 110: Technical Theatre I Scenic Construction

Introduces the fundamentals of producing theatrical scenery including theatre safety, scenic construction techniques, scenic painting, and an introduction to entertainment rigging. Regular session requires a minimum of 10 hours of production work beyond the regular class and lab hours.

DRAM 111: Practicum I Indigenous Performance Methods

Indigenous culture and world views are explored by using the "communicative method" fundamental to the field of language instruction. This course is divided into three distinct modules: "Acquisition," "Application," and "Expression." Module One, "Acquisition," uses immersion techniques to introduce students to an Indigenous language via a practical and expressive approach. Module Two, "Application," focuses on the application of an Indigenous language to various methods of creative expression: oratory, storytelling and especially performance arts and focuses on both individual and group exercises. In Module Three, "Expression," students develop, rehearse and present individual and group-generated creative works completely driven by the specific Indigenous language explored in Modules One and Two. The course is delivered in an integrated approach—a combination of seminars, and lab/practicum sessions. Language and cultural specialists, elders, traditional Knowledge Keepers, guest lecturers/artists, enrich this course through socio-cultural activities intended to provide a foundation for the exploration of contemporary Indigenous world views and cultural arts.

DRAM 231: Introduction to Indigenous Playwriting

The purpose of this course is to learn the basics of dramatic writing, with a focus on writing for the stage. The course is intended for students with little to no previous University-level writing experience, but who have an intense interest in theatre. The specific dramaturgical approach employed in the course focuses on the actor/character relationship to text, where the actor is always the first audience of any script. In that the actor is ultimately responsible for interpreting the text (through performance to the audience), it is the playwright's goal to create a script that both challenges and engages the actor. The craft of writing plays is explored through exercises and class discussion, and the course focuses on First Nations and Métis cultural concerns.

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

• Course and Program Catalogue

Support

• This program is based on the Cree value of wîcêhtowin, which describes a noun and process: we live together in harmony; we help each other; we are inclusive.
• You will have access to Indigenous student advisors and academic and personal counseling.
• Courses are integrated within the drama department, which promotes interdependence between all faculty, staff and students.

Opportunities

• The wîcêhtowin Theatre Program delivers meaningful and principled theatre skills that will provide you with the requisite training for success in a creative milieu with expanding employment opportunities.
• Completion of the program also allows you to advance your scholarly and artistic education by laddering into a diverse number of university degrees, such as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting or Design, a Bachelor of Arts, or a Bachelor of Education with a teaching area specialty in drama.
• You will choose an area of focus, either in performance or technical theatre design.
• uSask drama graduates have independently produced award-winning theatre productions and garnered acting awards.

Facilities

The Department of Drama teaching facility is purpose-built; acting and movement classes have large bright studio spaces with sprung floors and there is a state-of-the-art costume lab, as well as access to Q-lab software.

Sound and theatrical design facilities produce high grade theatrical productions, and the Greystone Theatre itself is recognized nationally and internationally for its history of stellar and premiere productions, including consistent sell-out performances.

Faculty

Faculty in the Department of Drama and alumni of uSask drama programs have received teaching awards of excellence, as well as local, provincial and international awards for theatrical productions.