Theatre offerings at Columbia Basin College are designed:

  • To meet the requirements for the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre at four-year institutions.
  • To enrich students learning experiences by having them work with state of the art technologies, performance methodologies and learning industry techniques.
  • To provide extracurricular activity through performances for the college and community.
  • To enrich the theatre going public in areas of Equity and Diversity.

Career opportunities include teaching theatre, professional acting, directing, designing, stage management and technical theatre. Theatre classes may also better prepare students for careers in law, public relations, advertising, teaching effectiveness and other careers where speaking or performing for the public is important. It is not necessary to be a theatre major to take theatre classes or to participate in CBC shows.

Courses

DRMA 100: Theatre Study Tour

Credits 1 3

Students participate in a field trip experience to attend professional, commercial theatre. Destinations are selected among Ashland, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, and New York City. Students meet for analysis and discussions before and after attending the planned events. Fees apply. May be repeated for credit.

Equivalent Courses
THA 100

DRMA& 101: Intro to Theatre [H]

Credits 5

An exploration of the many facets of theatre and the many creative artists who comprise the theatre arts. Students study the history of theatre, styles of production, plays, playwrights, directors, actors, critics, and designers.

Equivalent Courses
THA 115

DRMA 105: Rehearsal and Performance

Credits 1 3

Participation in college theatre productions on stage and backstage. After play auditions for each quarter, the class, composed of students selected for cast and production staff positions, are involved in rehearsals and performances. $11.40 lab fee.

Equivalent Courses
THA 105

DRMA 106: Rehearsal and Performance

Credits 1 3

Participation in college theatre productions on stage and backstage. After play auditions for each quarter, the class, composed of students selected for cast and production staff positions, are involved in rehearsals and performances. $11.40 lab fee.

Equivalent Courses
THA 106

DRMA 107: Rehearsal and Performance

Credits 1 3

Participation in college theatre productions on stage and backstage. After play auditions for each quarter, the class, composed of students selected for cast and production staff positions, is involved in rehearsals and performances. $11.40 lab fee.

Equivalent Courses
THA 107

DRMA 110: Voice and Movement

Credits 3

Creative and effective communication of ideas through the use of the body and voice. Includes physical and vocal technique, improvisation, and group problem solving.

Equivalent Courses
THA 110

DRMA 115: Stage Combat

Credits 3

Where there is theatre, there are shows with simulated violence and struggle. Stage Combat is the artform used to safely and effectively communicate these scenes to audiences. It is the art form that bridges the gap between consent/partnering and volatile conflict. Over the course of the quarter, students will learn safe and believable Unarmed and Knife Stage Combat techniques for stage and screen, develop the physicality and skills necessary to perform fight choreography, and gain the ability to learn, rehearse, and perform fight scenes in a theatrical context.

DRMA 120: Acting-Beginning

Credits 5

An introduction to acting course. This course focuses on creating a character with internal truth that is presented with an awareness of external craft, including interpretive skills, through a variety of exploratory exercises. Class culminates in performance final.

Equivalent Courses
THA 120

DRMA 121: Acting-Intermediate

Credits 5

An intermediate studio acting course which is a continuation of DRMA 120. This course continues its focus on creating a character with internal truth that is presented with an awareness of external craft, including interpretive skills, through a variety of exploratory exercises. Class culminates in performance final. $11.40 lab fee.

Prerequisite

Completion of DRMA 120 with a 0.7 or higher, or instructor permission.

Equivalent Courses
THA 121

DRMA 126: Stagecraft

Credits 1 3

A study of the technical aspects of stage craft, and some design, with an emphasis on construction techniques. During lab times, students gain a working knowledge of shop tools, their application, shop safety, and crew protocol. $11.40 lab fee.

Equivalent Courses
THA 126

DRMA 127: Stagecraft

Credits 1 3

A study of the technical aspects of stage craft, and some design, with an emphasis on construction techniques. During lab times, students gain a working knowledge of shop tools, their application, shop safety, and crew protocol. $11.40 lab fee.

Equivalent Courses
THA 127

DRMA 128: Stagecraft

Credits 1 3

A study of the technical aspects of stage craft, and some design, with an emphasis on construction techniques. During lab times, students gain a working knowledge of shop tools, their application, shop safety, and crew protocol. $11.40 lab fee.

Equivalent Courses
THA 128

DRMA 200: Theatre Study Tour

Credits 1 3

Students participate in a field trip experience to attend professional, commercial theatre. Destinations are selected among Ashland, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, and New York City. Students meet for analysis and discussions before and after attending the planned events. Fees apply. May be repeated for credit.

Equivalent Courses
THA 200

DRMA 215: Survey of Theatre History [H]

Credits 5

This is a survey course that covers significant trends and innovations throughout theatre history from its inception in ancient Greece through the present. The emphasis, however, is on early theatre and its development and evolution.

Equivalent Courses
THA 215

DRMA 216: Acting for The Camera

Credits 3

Instruction and practice in the basics of acting for both TV and film style productions: playing to the camera, shooting out of sequence, blocking, and other production considerations.

Prerequisite

Completion of DRMA 120 with a 0.7 or higher, or instructor permission.

Equivalent Courses
THA 216

DRMA 220: Acting Studio

Credits 1 3

A professional acting studio which utilizes class performances of scenes and monologues, as well as class discussions of theory. This course focuses on creating a character with internal truth (Stanislavskian-based) that is presented with an awareness of external craft including interpretive skills. Emphasis is placed on actor coaching and discovery. $11.40 lab fee.

Prerequisite

Completion of DRMA 120 with a 0.7 or higher, or instructor permission.

DRMA 221: Acting Studio

Credits 1 3

A professional acting studio which utilizes class performances of scenes and monologues, as well as class discussions of theory. This course focuses on creating a character with internal truth (Stanislavskian-based) that is presented with an awareness of external craft including interpretive skills. Emphasis is placed on actor coaching and discovery.

Prerequisite

Completion of DRMA 120 with a 0.7 or higher, or instructor permission.

DRMA 222: Acting Studio

Credits 1 3

A professional acting studio which utilizes class performances of scenes and monologues, as well as class discussions of theory. This course focuses on creating a character with internal truth (Stanislavskian-based) that is presented with an awareness of external craft including interpretive skills. Emphasis is placed on actor coaching and discovery.

Prerequisite

Completion of DRMA 120 with a 0.7 or higher, or instructor permission.

DRMA 225: Touring Children's Theatre

Credits 1 3

This course involves adapting and developing material from children's stories and original literature into theatrical presentations. Emphasis is on ensemble acting and improvisation skills. The second half of the quarter focuses on performance as group tours area grade schools. $11.40 lab fee.

DRMA 242: Design Essential

Credits 3

This is an introductory course in developing basic skills in visualization, period research, graphic techniques, and script interpretation for theatre design; the focus being on scenic and costume design approaches.

Equivalent Courses
THA 242

DRMA 243: Stage Costuming

Credits 1 3

An introductory course in the theory and practice of stage costume design and construction. $11.40 lab fee.

Equivalent Courses
THA 243

DRMA 244: Stage Makeup

Credits 1 2

A course covering the basics of stage makeup design as an extension of characterization. Students learn the techniques of makeup application, including youth, middle-age, old-age, and specialty makeup.

Equivalent Courses
THA 244

DRMA 245: Sound Design

Credits 1 3

An introduction to sound design for theatre. This class focuses on the equipment, typical set-ups for theatre, and the design concepts for the use of sound in today's theatre environments.

Prerequisite

Completion of DRMA 242 with a 0.7 or higher, or instructor permission.

Equivalent Courses
THA 245

DRMA 246: Stage Lighting

Credits 1 3

A beginning course in the theory and practice of stage lighting. This course is a ''hands-on'' approach to design and technical drawing. Lab time involves, ''hang and focus'' crew techniques and protocol, and special projects. $11.40 lab fee.

Equivalent Courses
THA 246

DRMA 248: Stage Management

Credits 2

Examines the work of a stage manager. This course covers management of the stage and explores the ''business'' aspects of commercial theatre. Emphasis is on preparing students for stage managing in the commercial theatre and to prepare students for a theatre career with an enlightened view of theatre as a business.

Equivalent Courses
THA 248

DRMA 249: Special Studies

Credits 1 3

Topics vary from among dramatic literature, acting styles, directing, theory criticism, aesthetics, history, and design. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite

Requirements to enroll in this class varies by quarter; please check with the instructor.

Equivalent Courses
THA 249

DRMA 250: Directing for The Stage

Credits 3

An introductory course in the theory and practice of directing for the stage. Students explore analysis, interpretation, and concept formulation of dramatic literature. Communication and collaboration is emphasized.

Prerequisite

Completion of DRMA 120 with a 0.7 or higher, or instructor permission.

Equivalent Courses
THA 250