About the Department
Hofstra University's Department of Drama and Dance comes equipped with three performance spaces:
the John Cranford Adams Playhouse (used for department productions and seats 1105);
the Joan and Donald Schaeffer Black Box Theater (used for department productions and seats 200); and
the Emily and Jerry Spiegel Theater (used for club shows & classes and seats 100).
The Drama and Dance department utilizes these spaces and their main hub, Emily Lowe Hall, to provide students with the opportunity to develop and hone their skills as performers, and deepen their appreciation for the arts as they gain practical experience to pursue careers in the theater and beyond. Hofstra's close proximity to New York City enriches the curriculum and provide incomparable opportunities for internships and other experiential learning projects.
The department presents six plays and two dance concerts per year, including our Shakespeare Festival. In addition, the department hosts a festival of student works at the end of each semester, comprised of at least four student-produced works. Students have additional performance opportunities with affiliated drama and dance student clubs.
The Hofstra Drama faculty supports the idea that theater artists should approach their craft with the broad understanding that can be acquired in a liberal arts setting. The drama program has embedded its performance program in a curriculum that requires a complement of general education courses including English composition, math and natural sciences, social sciences, languages and literature.
the John Cranford Adams Playhouse (used for department productions and seats 1105);
the Joan and Donald Schaeffer Black Box Theater (used for department productions and seats 200); and
the Emily and Jerry Spiegel Theater (used for club shows & classes and seats 100).
The Drama and Dance department utilizes these spaces and their main hub, Emily Lowe Hall, to provide students with the opportunity to develop and hone their skills as performers, and deepen their appreciation for the arts as they gain practical experience to pursue careers in the theater and beyond. Hofstra's close proximity to New York City enriches the curriculum and provide incomparable opportunities for internships and other experiential learning projects.
The department presents six plays and two dance concerts per year, including our Shakespeare Festival. In addition, the department hosts a festival of student works at the end of each semester, comprised of at least four student-produced works. Students have additional performance opportunities with affiliated drama and dance student clubs.
The Hofstra Drama faculty supports the idea that theater artists should approach their craft with the broad understanding that can be acquired in a liberal arts setting. The drama program has embedded its performance program in a curriculum that requires a complement of general education courses including English composition, math and natural sciences, social sciences, languages and literature.
About the B.F.A. Program
This program is for the student preparing for a career in the practice of theater as a performer.
The B.F.A. degree is intended to provide a small, specialized group of such students with a high level of competence.
All students interested in the B.F.A. program begin their Hofstra career as a B.A. in Drama. Students may take Acting I, Acting II, Voice and Speech for the Actor I, and Movement for the Actor I - each of which are required for the B.F.A.
Those interested in the B.F.A. submit letters of application and are granted an audition.
In their sophomore year, performance students wanting this more specialized course of theatre studies must present an audition for the B.F.A. in performance. The faculty members base their decisions not only on the audition, but also on their collective experience with the student. Self-discipline, focus, initiative, and the ability to work well with peers count in equal measure to raw talent.
Once accepted, they pursue additional courses in three paths: Acting, Voice and Speech, and Movement. They are also expected to hone interdisciplinary theatrical skills (such as directing, theatre history, costume history, and make up) as well as general education courses to take advantage of the liberal arts setting.
The B.F.A. degree is intended to provide a small, specialized group of such students with a high level of competence.
All students interested in the B.F.A. program begin their Hofstra career as a B.A. in Drama. Students may take Acting I, Acting II, Voice and Speech for the Actor I, and Movement for the Actor I - each of which are required for the B.F.A.
Those interested in the B.F.A. submit letters of application and are granted an audition.
In their sophomore year, performance students wanting this more specialized course of theatre studies must present an audition for the B.F.A. in performance. The faculty members base their decisions not only on the audition, but also on their collective experience with the student. Self-discipline, focus, initiative, and the ability to work well with peers count in equal measure to raw talent.
Once accepted, they pursue additional courses in three paths: Acting, Voice and Speech, and Movement. They are also expected to hone interdisciplinary theatrical skills (such as directing, theatre history, costume history, and make up) as well as general education courses to take advantage of the liberal arts setting.
Acting
Acting I - Fundamentals of Acting
Acting II - Meisner/Hagen Acting III - Scene Study Actinv IV - Shakespeare Acting for TV & Film I/II |
Voice and SpeechSpeech I - The Breath*
Speech II - Resonance* Speech III - Stamina/Power* Speech IV - Accents & Dialects *Linklater & Skinner-based Work |
Movement
Movement I - Movement for the Actor
Movement II - Mask Movement III - Red Nose Clowning Movement IV - Stage Combat |