*The Course Schedules below are subject to change pending enrolment pattern changes. Detailed course descriptions by instructors are added when available and are also subject to change.
**Please consult the Registrar's Time Table for mode of delivery for courses.
DRE121H5F Traditions of Theatre and Drama
DRE200H5F Canadian Theatre History
DRE201H5F Acting
DRE344H5F Studies in Theatre & Drama 1 (Modern & Contemporary African American Performance)
DRE346H5F Studies in Theatre & Drama 2 (Chekhov)
DRE348H5F Production Dramaturgies
DRE362H5F Playwrighting
DRE420H5F Senior Seminar 2 (TBD)
DRE122H5S Modern and Contemporary Theatre and Drama
DRE202H5S Intermediate Acting
DRE222H5S The Performance Text
DRE223H5S Shakespeare in the Theatre
DRE344H5S Studies in Theatre and Drama 1 (Contemporary Chinese Performance)
DRE356H5S Theory of Drama
DRE358H5S The Audience and the Theatre
DRE363H5S Workshop in Playwriting
DRE422H5S Senior Seminar 2 (TBD)
Course Title: Traditions of Theatre and Drama
Course Code: DRE121H5F | Lecture MW 11-12 | Tutorials W 12-1, W 2-3
Instructor: Holger Syme
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Modern and Contemporary Theatre and Drama
Course Code: DRE122H5S | Lecture MW 11-12 | Tutorials W 12-1, W 2-3
Instructor: TBD
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Canadian Theatre History
Course Code: DRE200H5F | Lecture M 11-12
Instructor: Signy Lynch
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Detailed Description by Instructor:
This course will give an introduction to the histories and historiography of theatre in Canada, mainly in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, through focusing substantially, though not exclusively, on Toronto. We will investigate significant plays, institutions, companies, and individuals, and survey some of the trends, movements, and core ideas that have shaped the contemporary theatre scene in Canada. We will also critically examine the materials and methods used to construct Canadian theatre and performance histories, and explore and trouble the concept of ‘Canadian theatre’ itself. Readings will consist mostly of plays connected to the week's topic, and will be supplemented with engagement with other historical documents in class.
Selected Major Readings: Students will engage with a small number of articles, and eight plays. Some of the plays students will need to purchase, whereas others are available through an online database via the UofT library site.
First Three Texts/Authors to be Studied: A few primary source articles
Method of Instruction: A combination of lecture, discussion, and participatory learning activities
Method of Evaluation: Small group presentation, research project (including final paper), take home test, participation
Creative writing component: No
Course Title: Acting
Course Code: DRE201H5F | Lecture F 11-12 | PRA F 1-3, F 3-5
Instructor: TBD
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Intermediate Acting
Course Code: DRE202H5S | Lecture F 11-12 | PRA F 1-3
Instructor: TBD
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: The Performance Text
Course Code: DRE222H5S | Lecture M 11-1, W 11-12
Instructor: Leticia Ridley
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Shakespeare in the Theatre
Course Code: DRE223H5S | Lecture MW 10-11 | PRA W1-3
Instructor: Holger Syme
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Studies in Theatre & Drama 1 (Modern & Contemporary African American Performance)
Course Code: DRE344H5F | Lecture M 11-1
Instructor: Leticia Ridley
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Detailed Description by Instructor: In this course, we will explore dramatic literature created by African American artists that spans from the early twentieth century to late twentieth century. The course also examines the major works of contemporary African American playwrights such as George C. Wolfe, Ntozake Shange, Suzan-Lori Parks, Lynn Nottage and August Wilson for structure (theme, plot, character, action), as well as the social and political environment of the plays in their time. In doing so, we will witness changing and often challenging perceptions, responses, and critiques to issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality. With an emphasis on the dramatic literature, the course aims to engage students with the development of form, content, and performance aesthetics of contemporary Black theatre.
Selected Major Readings: George C. Wolfe, Ntozake Shange, Suzan-Lori Parks, Lynn Nottage August Wilson, and other African-American playwrights
First Three Texts/Authors to be Studied:
- Black Theatre: Making of a Movement (Film)
- Ntzokae Shange
- George C Wolfe
Method of Instruction: Lecture, In-Class Activities, and Discussion
Method of Evaluation: Reading Quizzes, Creative Performance Project, Critical Analysis Paper(s), and Discussion
Creative writing component: No
Course Title: Studies in Theatre and Drama 1 (Contemporary Chinese Performance)
Course Code: DRE344H5S | Lecture M 11-1
Instructor: Eddy Feng
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Studies in Theatre & Drama 2 (Chekhov)
Course Code: DRE346HF | Lecture W 1-3
Instructor: Holger Syme
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Production Dramaturgies
Course Code: DRE348HF | Lecture W 11-1
Instructor: Jacob Gallagher-Ross
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Theory of Drama
Course Code: DRE356H5S | Lecture M 1-3
Instructor: Martin Revermann
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: The Audience and the Theatre
Course Code: DRE358H5S | Lecture W 11-1
Instructor: Signy Lynch
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Detailed Description by Instructor: This course examines an essential component of any theatrical experience: the audience. Through a predominantly theoretical and sometimes practical lens, we will consider, across various contexts and eras how theatremakers have historically and continue to approach their audiences, reflect on how space, configuration, culture, and context shape the conditions of audiencing, and analyse and even experiment with shifting performer-audience dynamics. We will also learn about some approaches to studying audiences and consider how these tools may apply to theatremakers.
Selected Major Readings: TBD
First Three Texts/Authors to be Studied: TBD
Method of Instruction: A combination of lecture, discussion, and participatory learning activities
Method of Evaluation: Generally TBD, though students may choose between a more practical or theoretical final assignment.
Creative writing component: No
Course Title: Playwriting
Course Code: DRE362H5F | Lecture F 1-4
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Course Title: Workshop in Playwriting
Course Code: DRE363H5S | Lecture F 1-4
Instructor: TBD
Course Title: Senior Seminar 1
Course Code: DRE420H5F | Lecture M 1-3
Instructor: Signy Lynch
Group n/a
Detailed Description by Instructor: This course will explore the theory and practice of theatre criticism, reflecting on the relationship between the two, and involving students in the latter through an experiential reviewing project, where students will take on the role of reviewers in a field trip to the Toronto Fringe’s Next Stage Festival (link). Through this project, students will have the option to submit their reviews for publication in Intermission Magazine (link). All students will gain deeper insight into the theatre industry, consider the functions of arts journalism and articulate the relationship of criticism to the theatrical ecosystem and broader society, and articulate and position their own perspectives within various contemporary and historic debates about the role of theatre criticism.
Selected Major Readings: TBD
First Three Texts/Authors to be Studied: TBD
Method of Instruction: Mostly discussion-based, alongside minimal lecturing and participatory learning activities
Method of Evaluation: Students will be evaluated via a test, review assignment, reflection assignment, and participation exercises, culminating in a final, creative reviewing project.
Creative writing component: Yes
Course Title: Senior Seminar 2
Course Code: DRE422H5S | Lecture W 1-3
Instructor: Leticia Ridley
For the UTM calendar description of this course, click here.
Group n/a
Detailed Description by Instructor: For over a century, the Broadway musical has provided a mirror into changing ideas and perceptions about race. In other words, what does it mean to perform race on the Broadway stage? What ideologies underpin them, and how does it reflect the critical conversations of the time? This course explores the musical artistry and cultural resonances of several iconic shows, as rendered on stage and screen, we will also consider how the axes of class, gender, ability, ethnicity, and sexuality intersect with race. In addition to watching and listening to musical theatre, we will also engage in critical essays by scholars who comment on the ever-shifting social and political landscape that the musical form has traversed. We will build a critical vocabulary and a set of analytical tools for critiquing representation in embodied performance and attending to the relationship between musical theatre and race. This course will serve as a window into the musical’s power to reflect and shape the world around it.
Selected Major Readings: The class will have a combination of articles written by musical theatre scholars on the assigned musicals that we will watch/listen to. Some musicals include: A Strange Loop, South Pacific, Come From Away, Hairspray, Into the Woods, Once on this Island, and Hamilton.
First Three Texts/Authors to be Studied: TBD
Method of Instruction: Lecture, In-Class Activities, and Discussion
Method of Evaluation: Reading Quizzes, Short Critical Analysis Paper(s), Video Essay, Participation
Creative writing component: No