Ralph Zito, Chair
820 East Genesee Street, 315-443-2669
http://vpa.syr.edu/drama

Timothy J. Bond, Producing Artistic Director, Department of Drama and Syracuse Stage

As an undergraduate conservatory-style theater training program that is both directly partnered with a professional theater company and part of a major American university, SU Drama is uniquely positioned to train the next generation of professional theater artists. Students learn from faculty members who themselves are practicing professionals in every aspect of theater. The Department provides students with the opportunity to draw upon the unparalleled theater and art resources of London, England, or Florence, Italy, through study abroad. It also offers a unique drama experience through the Tepper Semester, a rigorous artistic training program in the culturally rich setting of New York City. Many of the alumni who have gone on to become highly respected writers, actors, directors, producers and designers return to campus occasionally to lecture, advise, and participate in informal discussions. Visiting artists working at Syracuse Stage or other professional venues in the area often conduct workshops or discussions with Drama students.

The Department of Drama offers four professional programs, leading to the B.F.A. degree: in theater design and technology, acting, musical theater, and stage management. It also offers a B.S. degree in drama. The Department of Drama is committed to ensuring that students receive a strong foundation in the theater in all of its forms. Undergraduates put classroom theory into practice and carry out the University’s academic mission of Scholarship in Action through productions and community engagement.

The unique affiliation between the Drama Department and Syracuse Stage, an outstanding Equity theater company, provides opportunities for our students to gain professional experiences in all areas of study while working toward their undergraduate degrees. These two organizations share space in the same theater complex.

The faculty covers material in appropriate courses that includes plays by playwrights from all backgrounds. The practice of non-traditional casting affords students the opportunity to perform roles not traditionally assigned to them. Design/technical theater studio courses by nature invite and promote exploration of diversity in ideas, themes, and approach to visual presentation of plays; texts for assigned projects are chosen on the basis of ensuring a diverse experience. Academic topics courses (451/452) occasionally embrace themes directly relating to diversity.

Syracuse Stage

Syracuse Stage is a professional (LORT Equity) theater company. Together with the Department of Drama, it forms part of an unusual University-professional theater affiliation. The close relationship between a major professional theater serving the city and a vigorous University undergraduate program for training young professionals is fostered by their common home in one complex. Drama students earn credits by assisting professional directors, designers, and technicians and by appearing in productions at Syracuse Stage; in turn, the staff of the professional theater is involved in all the productions of the drama department, supervising and assisting student designers and technicians with their work. Some student actors are cast in professional productions, and all students profit from the experience, advice, and example of professional actors, designers, directors, and resident staff working in the same building. A number of specialized drama department classes are taught by members of the Syracuse Stage staff who are part-time adjuncts to the faculty.

Study Abroad

The College of Visual and Performing Arts, through Syracuse University Abroad, provides students in the Department of Drama with the opportunity to draw upon the unparalleled theater resources of London, England, or design resources in Florence, Italy, through study abroad. Coursework is designed to take advantage of the quantity and quality of London theater. A unique weekly acting workshop at the prestigious Globe Theatre, offered during the Fall semester, provides training in special skills such as stage movement and voice. Students may also take courses in the arts and sciences, communications, environmental arts, or management. A direct placement program with the London College of Fashion offers students majoring in costume design an opportunity to study costume design and technology during their junior year. Design students may choose to study in Florence, Italy, where rich cultural resources in art, theater, and opera provide an unforgettable educational experience. For further information, contact the Office of Student Services, 200 Crouse College, or SU Abroad, 106 Walnut Place (suabroad.syr.edu).

The Tepper Semester: a New York City Drama Experience

The Tepper Semester is a unique program from Syracuse University’s Department of Drama that offers undergraduate students in advanced levels of acting, musical theater, design, and stage management the opportunity to immerse themselves in a rigorous artistic training program in the culturally rich setting of New York City. Students in the Tepper Semester work closely with an accomplished faculty of professional, working artists who nurture the students’ creative, intellectual, and personal growth. The faculty also helps students gain an understanding of the business skills essential for a rewarding and successful career in the industry. Residency in New York City is an integral part of the Tepper Semester. Artistic training is fueled by the cultural and educational resources of the city. In addition to being exposed to a broad range of theater, they can experience museums, libraries, and various entertainment venues.

Syracuse University Drama Organization

The Syracuse University Drama Organization (SUDO) is the national chartered alumni club for SU drama alumni and friends in the entertainment industry. Based in New York City, SUDO’s primary goals are to be a source of networking for drama alumni and to provide new and future alumni with mentoring assistance. To meet its goals, SUDO hosts many social, cultural, and fund-raising functions such as an annual reunion party, an Academy Awards party, a biannual cabaret, and a new play reading series. SUDO also publishes a regular newsletter available to members.