Curriculum

Daytime Bachelor Degree Program

Teaching Goals:

Cultivate dramatic theories and relevant practical knowledge.
Establish expertise in theatrical arts.
Develop application skills in drama and theatrical theories and practices.

Overview of the Core Competencies in Curriculum

Basic literacy in humanities and aesthetics.
Literacy in theatre history and theories.
Integrated and presentation skills in dramatic and theatrical productions.
Dramatic and theatrical application skills.
Creative and imaginary skills in drama.
Operation and management skills in theatres.

Extension Education Program for Bachelor Degree

Teaching Goals:

Cultivate professional skills in dramatic creations.
Establish practical skills in theatrical arts.
Cultivate dramatic and theatrical application skills.

Overview of the Core Competencies in Curriculum

Basic literacy in theatrical aesthetics.
Basic literacy in theatre historic development.
Integrated skills in drama and theatre.
Application skills in drama and theatre.
Creative and implementable skills in drama works.
Operation and management skills in theatre.

Courses of Bachelor Degree Program

Introduction to Drama and Theatre

It's the most basic introductory course of professional drama courses. 1. The aim of this course is to guide first-year drama students to a basic understanding of Chinese and Western theatrical art forms and theater. 2. Students will understand the origins and historical evolution of Chinese and Western plays and theater. Important playwrights in history and their works will also be introduced. 3. Apart from cultivating students' basic competence in drama and the theater, it is also hoped that their reading, appreciation, performance and script writing skills will be inspired.

Introduction to Stage craft

Introduction to Acting

1. Basic acting practice: warm-up of body, voice. 2. Performing practice: sensory memory, emotional memory, imagination, focus, observation and imitation, motivation, etc. 3. Dramatic self-express and improvisation training. 4. Developing body potential for actors: Touching one’s own body, intuition and reaction, imagination and focus, knowing performing space, facial and hand expression, body language, observation and imitation, imitating famous figures, role-playing. 5. Mime practice: single / dual 6. Text and Articulation: Monologue, pronunciation, analyzing text and sub-text, stress, emphatic tone, text reading, breath-changing skill. 7. Role playing: Analyzing characters, autobiography, character model study, sub-text discussion.

Introduction to Directing

This is a class where students are required to practice all the theories and skills which they have learned in other drama courses into a unified presentation. 1. Guide students to understand the plays more deeply, and encourage them to re-create from these plays. 2. Learn how to make effective coordination, respecting each other and sharing work.

Basic to Playwriting

This course explores stage script writing methods from both theoretical and practical approaches, and progressively establishes a concept of stage script writing from the analysis and discussion of film, while an understanding of the steps, methods and techniques of stage script writing is gained from practical writing.

Dramatic Theory

This is an introductory course which deals with the essence and forms of drama. Students would learn the basics of performance theory, movement theory, illusion theory, structure theory and other important dramatic theories developed throughout history. The goal of this course is to help the students build the ability for drama analyzing and discourse, also train them to be more familiar with the basic logics of drama theory, so that they can develop correct aesthetic concepts, as well as analyzing and assessment skills for drama.

Rehearsal (I)

This is a class where students are required to practice all the theories and skills they have learned before, integrating them all into a drama for practice. 1. It will guide students to understand the plays more deeply, and encourage them to re-create from these plays. 2. Learn how to make effective coordination, respecting each other and sharing work.

Rehearsal (II)

History of Western Drama and Theatre

This course is mainly focused on study of Western drama literature and the evolution of theater performance. Through lectures, play analysis and video appreciation, it provides an overview of Western drama history and helps students build up the skills in creating, performing, assessing, or producing dramas. 1. The origin of drama. 2. Greek drama 3. Roman drama 4. Medieval drama 5. Renaissance drama 6. Elizabeth English drama and theatre 7. Spanish drama during the 15th -17th centuries 8. French drama and theatre development during the 15th – 17th centuries 9. Dramas during the 18th century 10. Dramas during the 19th century 11. Modern drama

History of Chinese Drama and Theatre

The purpose of this course is to allow students to understand their own position in history from the study of the history of Chinese opera, and thereby utilize the wisdom of their predecessors in their own creative work, and to achieve academic aims through the training of history. This course explores the following questions: 1. Concept of Chinese Drama. 2. History of Chinese Drama. 3. Grand (Dramatic) play and Small (Performative) play. 4. Origins of Chinese Drama. 5. Four famous small plays. 6. From small plays to grand plays. 7. Dramas in Southern China. 8. Dramas in Northern China. 9. Legendaries. 10. Folk dramas in Southern China. 11. Capital drama vs local drama. 12. Peking opera.

Rehearsal Ⅲ

This course is an important study of theater practices, and it is also a course in which students of the Department of Drama apply all they have learned in terms of theory and practice. The main contents of the course includes discussion of scripts performed and venues at which they were performed, script analysis, and an understanding of the venue facilities at which performances have taken place, the creative concepts and expressions of directors, the formulation of plans of various departments for play performances, the selection and assignment of performance staff and the division of work, the rehearsal of the actors and execution of behind-the-scenes work, the integration of theatrical performances, review and modification, and learning how to practice performing to an audience. The main aims are: 1. Learning to direct and rehearse plays. 2. Stage design and production, costume production, lighting and sound, and the mutual cooperation and coordination of theater administration. 3. Learning the practical operations of troupe performances. 4. The whole class adopts an overall cooperation approach, to produce a realistic stage play performance.

Rehearsal Ⅳ

Senior Production

The course guides students to understand the theory and practice of theatre production, covering the fields of directing, acting, design and theatre administration etc. Curriculum includes script reading, stage design, concept expression, scheduler planning, rehearsal, and performance, encouraging teamwork and imagination for stage performance.

Modern Drama

This course focuses on realism, expressionism and symbolism of modern Western drama. Students would learn the development, schools, key playwrights and works in Western and Taiwanese modern drama. The development of drama literature, drama theory and performance art in this period would all be discussed. The students would have a full understanding of different aspects causing such developments – including social, political, economical, cultural and artistic aspects.

Guided Reading of Western Plays

This course mainly explores the styles of various different periods in Western script writing, so that through the processes of reading, interpretation, analysis, and discussion, learners will have some understanding of the Western style of script writing, with the expectation that this will be beneficial to the learners' future drama creation, performance and commentary.

Pantomime II

This course aims to train performers' abilities in physical expression. Physical expression is one of the necessary skills of the performing arts. Actors must know how to use corporeal skills to express stories and express emotions to raise their performance level and appeal.

Stagecraft

This course is a basic undergraduate course in theater skills, and also the beginning of the students' understanding of the theater. This course first introduces students to the theater, to allow them to become familiar with the evolution of Western theater, so that they have full knowledge and understanding of the theater. Secondly, it provides a foundation in the actual production and learning of theater skills, to facilitate future participation in behind-the-scenes theater work. Course objectives: 1. Familiarity with the theater. 2. Familiarity with stage performance organization. 3. Familiarity with stage sound effects and sound systems. 4. Familiarity with stage lighting and skills. 5. Familiarity and use of stage skills. 6. Basic woodworking machine operation and tool use. 7. Basic materials and woodworking of stage scenery and props. 8. Painting of stage scenery and props. 9. Theater safety and management.

Guided Reading of Chinese Plays

This course introduces the methods for appreciating Chinese plays by using both texts and plays. In the first semester, we will discuss Chinese viewpoints of love in Chinese love plays; in the second semester, we will review the tragic, comedic, tragic-comedic, farcical, tragic-farcical elements in Chinese plays, and discuss the new ideas invented in modern Chinese drama.

Voice and Diction

This is a course specially designed for drama students to improve their articulation. The 1st semester course would focus on fixing pronunciation, and then offers trainings for vocal expression, pronunciation method and vocal rhythm. Students can learn speaking skill, pronunciation correction method, breath-controlling skills, and sentence expression. 1. Standard pronunciation: Learning right retroflex, nasal, dental, lingual and mouth shapes. 2. Breath training: Vowel, consonant, scale, diaphragmatic breathing. 3. “Er” pronunciation. 4. Tone practice. 5. Vocal expression practice. 6. Tongue Twisters. 7. Comic dialog 8. Analyzing lines. 9. Practicing lines. 10. Radio drama.

Play writing

This course divides script creation into two main parts: 'discovery' and 'performance'. In the actual creation of a play, 'discovery' and 'performance' can not be entirely separated, as there is invariably a phenomenon of mutual interspersion, penetration, influence, and blending. For example, at the time of 'discovery,' the factor of 'performance' is already included, and during 'performance' new 'discoveries' will also be produced, and so forth. In order to make the discussions of this course focused and analytically complete, the chapters of each class should be elucidated specifically one by one, thus practitioners will not be able to have only a mechanical understanding. A. The elements and types of plays are understood from the theories of drama creation. B. Script writing skills are explored from testing and practice.

Directing I

The first semester involves two people performances and single scenes as the main elements, learning the basics of scene manipulation, and using realistic scripts, to gain an initial understanding of the various possibilities of structure, rhythm, form, and style. The second semester takes contemporary drama as its keystone, providing an initial understanding of the possibilities of performance in non-theater space.

Acting (I)

Carrying out a perfect and integrally cooperative show for students for what they have learned in the different performing and directing skill fields. 1. Script analysis; 2. The expression various departments' concepts; 3. Plan formulation; 4. Actors rehearsals and carrying out behind-the-scenes work; 5. Integration of drama performances. Students are encouraged to cooperate with each other and coordinate in practical operations, in an overall cooperative approach to show the performance. Students are guided to analyze script rehearsals and encouraged to re-create. The course covers establishing mutual respect, effective coordination, division of labor and interpersonal relationships.

Movement

To enhance the actor’s ability to use his/her body to communicate on stage through the use of basic movement skills, this course is focused on physical awareness, movement improvisation, choreography, and stage combat. Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to: • Define the key to the physicality of authentic and believable acting. • Explore and react to sound and movement in order to create a fresh theatrical experience and realize full character creation. • Demonstrate optimal conditioning of an actor’s body as it relates to theatrical work. • Have a greater understanding of movement, movement improvisation, stage combat, and character development through actual movement exercises. • Explore the results of breathing, relaxation, good posture, and fitness.

Stage Design and Rendering

This is a practice course, also an introductory course of stage design. In the first semester, students would learn sketching, design basics and coloring. In the second semester, students would analyze plays, draw stage plan, and build stage models. This course is a complete learning process for those who are interested in stage design. Curriculum includes: 1. Basic sketch 2. Stage drawing practice 3. Development of aesthetic quality 4. Play analysis 5. Basic stage design skills

Lighting Technologies and Practicum

This course gives training in operation of theatre lighting equipments such as hanging, wiring, focusing and panel controlling, with equal stress on theoretical study and actual practice.

Scenery Technologies and Practicum

This course deals with stage scenery production methods, including an introduction to scenery materials, landscape production methods, prop production methods, three-dimensional scenery production methods, scenery structure analysis and engineering drawing skills, and stage scenery budget integration. The goal of the course is to train students in the ability to produce various types of stage scenery. In the production process, they will have the ability to choose stage scenery production materials, and the ability to use scenery production tools, and be able to complete the drawing of structural diagrams.

Costume Crafts

This course focuses on the structure of theater stage costume and costume production skills. In the classroom, students will use practical exercises as their learning goals. In this semester, students will have a comprehensive understanding of costume production processes and this can be used in theatrical performances. The relevant structure and basic concepts of costume skills includes: 1. Understanding 2D costume drawing production and 3D operational skills 2. Training in sewing skills 3. Training in 2D drawing 4. The basic skills of cutting operations and costume production

Basic Musical Acting

This course trains students to: 1. be accurate in both lyrics and tuning 2. demonstrate an awareness of various and appropriate musical theatre styles 3. make smooth movement during performance 4. demonstrate an awareness of the importance of acting with singing.

Scene Design

This course introduces the theories and practice of set design. Students are encouraged to make suggestions regarding the styles and presentation of the overall stage design, in order to create a vivid ambiance, give clues as to the specific time and place of the action, and offer creative possibilities for the movement and grouping of the actors. These skills include both drawing scenery and model making for the stage.

Lighting Design

This course is focused on the following topics: A. To develop an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of light design. B. To develop the skills need to communicate visually their design concepts to others through the use of the Light plots story boards. C. To demonstrate through their design projects an understanding of the concepts of visual design. D. To develop students’ creative and problem solving skills.

Costume Design

This course discusses the following topics: 1. To teach students the model of different costumes and to invoke their interest in costume modeling. 2. To teach students basic concepts of fashion color and fashion language. Also to teach basic knowledge about fiber, textile and history of costume. 3. To teach students the way to communicate ideas with costume drawing. 4. To practice different design concepts, so students may find their potentials in fashion design. 5. Train students to be able to design and make costumes independently.

Directing II

This is an advanced directing class designed for students who have already taken the course of Theatre Directing I or who are interested in strengthening their directing capability. The goal of this class is to train students in both aesthetics and practical skill, in a hope that students would be able to apply what they have learned in other related courses. Directing is not just a skill, but also a philosophy to fulfill human life.

Acting (II)

The 'advanced' training of the various basic skills of actors (physical movement, voice, concentration, imagination...) trains performers to complete their self-study work, and enter the stage of 'script research and role playing'. Students are required to carry out such assignments as modeling role analysis of role autobiography according to the role creation method. Performance demonstrations: epic theater, farce, absurd drama, classical romantic drama, comedy, slapstick comedy, one of each representative play is chosen, using two-people counterbalanced plays as exercise teaching materials, with three types of play each semester.

Computer Aided Drafting and Design

This course is designed to enable integration with today's technology. In addition to focusing on the teaching of computer software, the course content also includes: 1. Drawing instructions; 2. Image layers; 3. Text input and modification; 4. Markup instructions and type setting; 5. Use of image blocks; 6. 3D modeling; 7. Apart from material drawing functions and drawing skills, the goal of this course is to train students to use CAD software in stage design, to raise their competitiveness in the workplace.

Theater Marketing and Management

This course introduces stage management and theatre marketing, exploring the relationship between the artistry and the execution of theatre as a fine arts discipline. Topics to be studied include stage management, theatre administration, professional unions, production management, publicity/marketing, and box office and house management. Although this course is primarily an overview, it assumes the student has a professional interest in stage management and theatre administration. This class may serve as preliminary formal training toward becoming a stage manager or theatre manager in the future.

Introduction to Stage Makeup

This is a basic stage makeup class. Students will learn all the basic technique for stage makeup. It begins with intensive sketch training for students to understand the facial structure, and then introduces different shading techniques and other basic stage makeup, including, injury, fantasy, and old-age makeup.

Make-up Design

This is an advanced makeup class. In this course, students are encouraged to create their own styles and designs. Inspired from the brief makeup history, students learn different styles of makeup design, including animal makeup, Cirque du Soleil style makeup, etc. Students will learn how to complete the whole design process as a makeup artist.

Sound Practicum

This course gives lab-oriented introduction to audio technology and the primary tools used in a recording/editing studio equipped with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). The goals of the course are: 1. to understand basic audio signal chain elements and the flow of signal through them. 2. to learn fundamental studio usage procedures and principles. 3. to become familiar with the principles of sound generation and basic audio recording, editing, mixing and music production techniques using the Pro Tools application and some typical skills.

Sound Design

This course provides a basic understanding of sound (audio) design, the components of sound systems and their application in the theatre. Emphasis is placed on computer-aided sound editing. This course will define the role and responsibilities of a relatively new artist in the theatre, the sound designer.

Internship

The academic assignments in the internship course are specifically designed to enhance the learning experience through in-depth reflection and critical analysis of the work environment. Therefore, students earn course credit for learning, not just for working.

Training for Master of Ceremony

A variety of simulation exercises depending on verbal expression, such as hosting events, press conferences, committee meetings, and so on, as well as guidance in using hosting skills. Students will learn how to develop a personal style with its own hosting appeal, and their persuasive, organizational and descriptive powers will be trained, making combined use of both knowledge and practice.

Acting (III)

Through studying how to act the popular characters of the famous classical plays, like Shakespeare, Greek and Rome scripts, as well as traditional plays of China and understanding how to analyze the temperament, character, emotion, action motive of those roles, students will be able to design their outer modeling and consider how to express the inner spirit of the character, comprehend the acting style of the classical play and learning how to act in the acting technique. Students are trained in making sound, reciting skill, gesture, posture, steps , and body movement.

Drama Therapy

Theatre in Education

The purpose of this course is to let students learn the method of educational theatre production, applying a subject of specific design and editing process to arrange a professional production, allowing certain participants to appreciate and discuss the subject. The contents of the course including the following key points: 1. Forms of theatre in education. 2. Selection of subject for theatre in education. 3. Structure for theatre in education. 4. Space arrangement for theatre in education. 5. Interaction design for the audience in the theatre. 6. Rehearsal and production for theatre in education.

Appreciation of Chinese Opera

This class guides students to read important literature about Chinese drama such as history theory, creative theory and writer's work commentary, giving students a deeper digest about traditional Chinese drama and helping them build a strong knowledge base for doing further academic research.

Creative Drama

Course planning: 1. World trends in children's drama teaching 2. Items of creative drama activity, their definitions, and teaching objectives. 3. The teaching skills of teachers and leaders 4. Beginners level creative drama activities 5. Advanced level creative drama activities 6. Role playing 7. Performance guidance for creative drama results demonstrations 8. Creative drama as used in course teaching, social services, and corrective treatment.

The Introduction of Children Theatre

In this course, the following topics will be discussed: 1. An introduction to origin, production, and analysis. 2. Application of "Iimprovisation" to stimulate the capabilities, and the using in the productions. 3. Analysis on the characteristics of children’s play and its audience. 4. Practice.

Theory and Practice of Children Theatre

In this course, the following topics will be discussed: 1. An introduction to origin, production, and analysis. 2. Application of "Iimprovisation" to stimulate actors' potentials. 3. Analysis on the characteristics of children’s play and its audience. 4. Practice.

Chinese Crosstalk：Xiangsheng

Pantomime I

This course covers the introduction and analysis of mime, performing improvisation exercises, collective creation classes, and the basic skills and practice of mime actions. The end of semester scoring standards include mime action quality acceptance, group presentation, and performance throughout the semester.

Pantomime II

Daytime Master of Performing Arts Program

Teaching Goals and Objectives:

With emphasis on the pursuit of truth, goodness and aesthetic understanding, the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts of the College of Performing Arts in National Taiwan University of Arts undertakes to foster drama and theater artists and professionals, promotion of dramatic aesthetics, and enhancement of the living quality of communities. To support our mission, we set the following teaching goals:

Foster talent specializes in independent study of dramatic and theatrical theories.
Foster talents specialize in the study of dramatic and theatrical productions.
Foster talents specialize in the study of drama and theater arts applicable to multi-disciplinary areas such as education and multi-media.

Overview of the Core Competencies in Curriculum

Cultivate critical appraisal skills for contemporary drama performances.
Application of theoretical analysis on drama works.
Creation of drama works and presentation skills in theatrical productions.
Cultivate diverse skills in planning and implementation of drama works.

Master of Performing Arts Program for Practicing Professionals

Teaching Goals:

Foster talents in study of dramatic theories.
Foster talents in drama creations.
Cultivate talents for application of dramatic and theatre arts in a multi-disciplinary spectrum.

Overview of the Core Competencies in Curriculum

Cultivate critical appraisal skills for drama performances.
Cultivate analytical skills for drama script.
Creation of script and presentation skills.
Cultivate diverse skills in planning and implementation of drama works.

Course duration: 2-4 years (Daytime Master of Performing Arts Program),
4-6 years (Master of Performing Arts Program for practicing professionals)
Course credits requirement for graduation: 36 units (inclusive 6 units for thesis)
Degree conferment:? Master of Arts (M.A.)
Other relevant regulations (graduation criteria): verification of eligibility for thesis program.

Courses of Master Degree Program

Research Methodology and Thesis Writing

This required course gives training in research methodology and theory study about drama. Students have to complete a research paper each at the end of this semester. This course covers: 1. Format of research paper; 2. Reading of selected academic papers; 3. Research methodology; 4. Field study; 5. Analysis of collected data; 6.Structure of academic paper; 7. Writing academic paper; 8. Discussion of research cases.

Topics on Scenery Design Theory

This course explores such topics as the aesthetic experience of stage scenery, the use of images and symbols in stage scenery, the influence of new media art on stage scenery and the influence of contemporary artistic concepts on stage scenery.

Seminar on the History of Western Drama and Theater

The course discusses developmental Western drama and theatre chronically. This semester is focused on Greece, Romen, and the Middle Ages. Through class lectures, theory analysis, and video observation, students are trained to understand the development of drama genres and trends of thoughts, and review the Western drama history from full aspects, paving a strong foundation for making drama creation, performance, critiques, and production in the future.

Seminar on Chinese Drama and Theater

It's an introductory-level course for graduate students, guiding students to understand the characteristics of Chinese theatre culture through studies on Chinese drama history, theatres, and theories. This course includes four parts: 1. Exploring Chinese ritual theatre by way of ancient Nuoxi and contemporary Nuoxi; 2. Development of Yuan theatre and theatre arts; 3. Dramatic and theatrical texts and theories in Yuan and Ming dynasties; 4. Ritual theatre in Taiwan.

Topics on Western Theatre Development

This course mainly analyzes and explores the origin and evolution of Western theater. From the study of ancient Greek theater, the study of ancient Roman theater, European medieval theater, as well as the analysis of medieval plays in the church performances of Byzantine church art. It continues with exploration of European Renaissance theater, British theater during the Shakespeare period, study of the seventeenth century frame-type stage form, and the types and forms of equipment and construction found in modern theater are also analyzed and discussed. The final unit explores theater business and management strategies.

Theatre Semiotics

The course puts equal emphasis on theory study and practice. It introduces Semiotics of drama and theatres as well as the social dimension of dramas, analyzing the functions of sign creation, transferring, and receiving in a drama.

Theory and Practice on Theatre in Education

1. Format and educational significance of educational theatre 2. Brief introduction to history of educational theatre 3. Operational modes of educational theatre in classroom 4. Structure of educational theatre 5. Stage or scene arrangement for educational theatre 6.. Interactive design for educational theatre 7. Rehearsal and performance of educational theatre 8. Characteristics of audience participation activities for educational theatre 9. Other related application of educational theatre

Theory on Creative Drama Teaching

1. Basic concepts of creative drama; 2. Educational theories and skills of teachers or instructors; 3. Primary dramatic activities for creative drama; 4. Advanced dramatic activities for creative drama; 5. Inspiration of role-playing; 6. Creative drama as integrated application of training in art and humanity courses; 7. Guidance for demo performance on campus; 8. Application of creative drama in education, theatre and other fields.

Research on the Famous Authors and Their Works of Chinese Opera

A philological exploration of the important writers of Chinese opera A bibliographical exploration of the important works of Chinese opera Methodology of research on important works of Chinese Opera Analysis and practice of works of Chinese Opera

Topics on Great Directors

We make comparative reviews of directors' formations, developments and theoretical styles, and carry out in-depth exploration of the views and expressions conveyed in the works of various well-known directors, and the influence they have had on contemporary theater.

Topics on Theatre Aesthetics

The foundation of this course is theater stage vision, which includes stage scenery, lighting, and digital art design. Theater artists are also the subject of study, and interpretation and commentary of theater art works, taking artistic and cultural movement as a theoretical basis for in-depth exploration of creative skills and cross-discipline development of theater art. Students will have the ability to understand theater art, theory and practice combined, and be able to understand and interpret theatrical works of art.

Theory and Practice on Theatre in Education

Topics on Western Dramatic Theory

This course is aimed at strengthening students’ understanding of the theories and aesthetics of Western dramas.

Seminar on the History of Chinese Drama and Theater

1. Drama in Southern China during Song and Yuan Dynasty; 2. Art of folk drama during Yuan Dynasty; 3. Folk drama and legendary during Ming Dynasty; 4. Legendaries during Ching Dynasty.

Strategy in Theater Management

The actual operational practices of performing arts troupes are explored, including such issues as: venue management, market trends in the performing arts, the operations of performing arts troupes, marketing strategies for performing arts programs, and the curatorial work of international art festivals.

Topics on Great Playwrights

This basic course is designed to guide students to understand the culture of Western theatre through study of masterpieces of Western dramas: “The Persians” and “The Orestiea,” “Mandrake” of Machiavelli's, “Dr. Faustus” of Marlowe, “Hamlet” of Shakespeare, “The Imaginary Invalid” of Moliere, and drama-related theories.

Theatrical Theory and Criticism

This course enables students to understand the form, content and significance of performing arts aesthetics and works; to cultivate students' ability to appreciate, analyze, speculate and make commentaries on the performing arts.

Research on the Modernization of Chinese Opera

This course aims to explore the significance, purpose, methods and future development direction of the modernization of Chinese opera, enabling students to clearly understand what the modernization of Chinese opera is, and why Chinese opera should be modernized. What did the Chinese opera musicians and artists of the past do? What means should contemporary Chinese opera workers use to carry out modernization? In the future, what are the routes to modernization that Chinese opera can take? It is hoped that through the exploration of theory, Chinese opera can be looked at afresh, as well as the evaluation of contemporary Chinese opera works. At the theoretical and practical levels, students' thinking and opinions on the modernization of Chinese opera will be established.

Topics on Playwriting

It’s one of the theatre application courses, aiming to lead students to practice playwriting skills of modern drama. Students will be divided into several groups to discuss books on playwriting, to analyze dramatic texts, and then to map the structure of a creative writing, and finally to complete a piece of drama script. At the end of this semester, students are required to gather actors to conduct script-reading and find out how to revise their script.

Digital Art Visualization in Theater

This course, especially for the students interested in using the Computer-Aided Design program for Theatre/Stage design, introduces the 3DS MAX interface, application, layout, and 3D Space design programs, and so forth.

Topics on Acting System

We make comparative reviews of formations, developments and theoretical styles of performances, and carry out in-depth exploration of the views and expressions conveyed in the works of various well-known performances, and the influence they have had on contemporary theater.

Topics on Stage Design

Design is an age-old industry, and it is also a special industry. As an age-old industry, in both Chinese and Western design culture, design and art are related industries. Stage design and the theater have very close relationships, and theatrical performances are an expression of a diversified and lively art. The same script can be expressed in many different ways, because the script is the original foundation of the theatrical performance. Whether or not the roles of characters in a play have an attractive appeal, whether or not the plot is compact, its related story background and the scenes performed should be relatively clear. For the performance of a play, after the script has been decided, we must begin to prepare the stage-related design work, and start holding various technical meetings and stage design work. As for stage design topics, this course studies foundational stage design for discussion of theory, discussing how the stage design professions are defined and how the stage professions came to be. We also discuss stage design and art's common foundation, and the use of stage space, paying special attention to practical backgrounds, and exploring the sense of beauty and style to be found in space.

Theory and Practicum on Drama Therapy

1. Basic concepts of drama therapy 2. Relationship between drama therapy and psychotherapy. 3. Processes of drama therapy. 4. How to develop the characters and their roles. 5. Assessment, analysis and discussion about the elements of drama therapy. 6. Integration of illusion and reality. 7. Substantial effects and feedback of drama therapy. 8. Therapeutic elements of drama therapy—nine core processes 9. Evaluation and assessment of drama therapy. 10. Application and development for drama therapy.

Topics on Western Modern Drama

This course is a course of study on modern theatrical aesthetics and commentary. Students are trained in the analysis and discussion of modern theatrical works. Through the study of the theories and practices of the performing arts, students are guided through the basic logic of analysis, synthesis, and judgment, correctly establishing modern theatrical aesthetics concepts and the basic ability to analyze and criticize.

Topics on Contemporary Theater

This course will guide students to understand the form, content and significance of contemporary theater art aesthetics and works, and cultivate students' aesthetic, analytical, speculative, and commutative abilities on the works of contemporary theater.

Topics on History of Taiwanese Drama

It’s a basic course for graduate students, aiming to guide students to understand the characteristics of Taiwanese theatre culture through studying Taiwanese theatre as well as their tests and performance.

Topics on Taiwanese Modern Drama

The germination and development of modern theater in Japan, China and Taiwan, repeatedly branded and rebranded the transmission and interpretation of cross-cultural theater. The teaching content of this course includes the cross-cultural influence of the modern drama of Japan, Europe, and the United States on the formation and development of modern Chinese drama. It deals with how modern theater in Taiwan began in the period from 1920 to 1049, through the influences of colonial Japanese theater and Taiwan's ancestral mainland Chinese theater, and the Important intercultural text translations and performances of Taiwanese playwrights during this period, in the expectation that through the study of historical data and the comparison of Western originals and adaptations, students will have a clear grasp of the relevant drama and theater history, and the effectiveness of the commentaries and interpretations of Taiwanese playwrights' cross-cultural adaptations, and will be able to further uncover new topics of cross-cultural theater.

Topics on Youth Theater

Topics on Contemporary Taiwanese Theater

This course is an advanced mandatory course following on from research methods and thesis writing. With the understanding and practice of minor dissertations, students carry out exploration and commentary on the traditions seen in contemporary theater in Taiwan, modern drama and cross-cultural performances, in coordination with the study of theatrical culture theories, training to improve students' academic ability to speculate and review contemporary Taiwanese theater.

Integrated Media in Theatre

Taking theatrical performances as the foundation for discussion, with the diversity of theater performing arts, the current circumstances and trends of contemporary performing arts are explored, discussing mixed media including music, dance and aesthetics.

Theatre Applications and Program Planning

This class aims to: 1. Explore the principles of drama and theatre, and make application of them in the fields of marketing, public relations, political promotional activities, etc. 2. Study the planning strategies of festivals and suchlike activities and their application.

Contemporary Community Theatre

1. To explore the practice and application of contemporary community theatre; 2. To integrate community theatre and related resources; 3. To build community theatres.

Topics on Children's Theater

1. Introduction to the origin, production and analysis of children’s theatre; 2. Seven major principles of children’s theatre: playwright, theme, plot, character, dialogue, song and spectacle; 3. Characteristics of the audience of children’s theatre. 4. Role-playing issues about children’s theatre. 5. Analysis of role-playing issues about children’s theatre in Taiwan.

Comparative Drama

This course is one of the foundational courses in drama criticism and the historical research of theater. To encourage students to achieve the learning goal of the course, students will report on relevant topics of Chinese and foreign theater history, and drama theories and dissertations, as well as discuss together theater from ancient Greece up to the British Renaissance, and the relevant scripts of Yuan and Ming dynasty poetic drama.

Topics on Styles of Directing

The subject matter of this course primarily revolves around the works of contemporary theater directors, analyzing and studying the styles of the directors of these works, such as Peter Brook, Ariane Mnouchkine, Theodoros Terzopoulos, Robert Wilson, Ivo van Hove, and others.

Master of Performing Arts Program, the National Taiwan University of Arts

Teaching Goals:

With emphasis on the pursuit of truth, goodness and aesthetic understanding, the teaching goals for graduate program in performing arts are as follows:

To deepen exploration of features in inter-disciplinary and inter-cultural studies, creations and performances in performing arts.
To equip with theoretical foundation, skills for critical review and practices of performing arts.
To express the care for social culture, humanities mechanism and local aesthetics through performing arts.

Overview of the Core Competencies in Curriculum

Cultivate research and critical appraisal skills for theories and history in performing arts.
Theoretical research and application skills for inter-disciplinary and inter-cultural performing arts.
Creative thinking skills in performing arts.
Application skills in performing arts.
Co-ordination and integrated skills in performing arts.

Course duration: 2-4 years (Daytime Master of Performing Arts Program),
4-6 years (Master of Performing Arts Program for practicing professionals)
Course credits requirement for graduation: 36 units (inclusive 6 units for thesis)
Degree conferment:? Master of Arts (M.A.)
Other relevant regulations (graduation criteria): verification of eligibility for thesis program.

Courses of Master Degree Program

Required Courses

Research Methodology and Thesis Writing

To help students understand that this course "Research Methodology and Thesis Writing" gives important training in the ability to do research and writing a thesis. Through theoretical study and useful practice, this course offers students full understanding of the meaning of academic research, moreover, a real skill to undertake their own research projects.
The content of the course includes:
1. Meanings of research; 2. Function and category of research; 3. Types of essays in performing arts; 4. Methodology of research; 6, Design and writing of proposal; 7. Collecting and analyzing documents, 8. Literature review and discussion; 9. Study in methodology; 10. Application of research result; 11. Report writing; 12. Quotation, footnotes, and references; 13. Case study; 14. Paper-presentation on academic conference.

Theory and Application of Performing Arts Skills

A Dictionary of Theatre Anthropology, written by theatre director Eugenio Barba, is the masterpiece in which he devoted his life experience in theatre staging, directing, experience in education and wisdom in researching Eurasian performing techniques, culture and life characteristics.
This course intends in the study of development of both Western and Eastern performing arts theatre, in comparing the aesthetics, art form and techniques of singing and dancing of Peking Opera, with theatre anthropology, in order to gain new methods of performing and spirit in artistic creation.
Students will need to prove the argument in this book through various kind practices. The aim is to gain vitality through traditional arts. Students will compare the difference of forms of arts, transform, and recreate.

Historiography of Performing Arts

This course introduces performing arts related historical research theories, methods and issues. Through analysis and discourse of the development of performing arts, the student is guided to integrate research findings within the field of performing arts and to develop interdisciplinary and intercultural historical research and analysis.

Elective Courses

Intercultural Study on Masterpieces of Performing Arts

This course makes in-depth analysis and discussion on significant masterpieces of theater directors. It's an important course for master's degree students, aimed at: 1. helping students build strong foundation for pursuing theory study and practice of performance arts through study on cross-cultural performing art works; 2. integrating traditional and modern cultural characteristics to help students develop a broad vision for making cross-cultural performance art; 3. guiding students to develop professional qualifications for pursuing a career in the fields of broadcasting, television, movie, mass media, etc.

Topics on Contemporary Dance Production

This course focuses on the development of contemporary artistic dance in European, American and Taiwan, supplemented with cultural study issues relating to dance creation, production and performance. Students are guided to apply the methods for doing dance research and analysis to writing of dance-related articles such as dance review or critiques, paving the foundation for developing interdisciplinary and intercultural discourses.

Topics on Theatre Criticism

The course covers: 1. Review on basic theories in theatres, including classicism, neo-classicism, romanticism and thoughts of other parties, and apply them in critics in theatre. 2. Methods of making critiques on tradition, history, sociology, psychology, prototype, construction, deconstruction, feminism, an so forth. 3. Make analysis on examples at a appropriate time.

Aesthetics and Criticism of Music

This course will focus on Aesthetics and Criticism of Music. Combining the theories and aesthetics from Chinese and the Western philosophies, the course intends to explore their impacts on music styles and theories. In the first stage, the course will introduce concepts or ideas of aesthetics of music. Secondly, the course will study individual musicians or thinkers’ views on music. Finally, the course will focus on the appreciation and criticism of music works and their performing styles.

Dance Studies

This course focuses on fundamental theories, methods and application of dance studies. Based on the study of dance historiography, dance anthropology, dance sociology, dance aesthetics and dance criticism, students are guided to develop the ability for doing dance research and discourse, and build up the foundation for conducting interdisciplinary and intercultural research and criticism.

The Performing Methods and Aesthetics of Chinese Traditional Opera

By analyzing the “Actors in acts—the Puppet master”, this course introduces the basic postures and the major parts of training: “Singing, Reciting, acting, Martial art performing” in Chinese Opera. Through class lecture, students will learn how these strictly categorized roles can generate distinguished personal features. This class leads students to the beauty of the traditional Chinese opera, and to make further research on art performing.

Aesthetics of Performing Arts

To enrich students' aesthetic quality and analytic ability in making research of performing arts (including dance, music, drama and so on); the course covers three stages: first, to understand aesthetic principles; second, to explore performance theories and performing techniques; third, to make appreciation or comments on individual works and their performance style.

Tradition and Change in Performing Arts

This course discusses the key terminology used for studies of social sciences and performing arts such as the "classic," "tradition," innovation," and "development" as well as their interactive relations. Through analyzing the phenomena of contemporary Taiwanese performing arts, students are guided to establish the foundation for conducting interdisciplinary and intercultural research and criticism.

Methodology and Practice of Fieldwork

Through establishment of views, collection of primary materials, construction of historical documents, observation of individual cases, on-site recording, literature analysis, and interview with targets of research, this course guides students to make field study of performing arts, as well as make actual practices.

Dance Analysis：Concept, Skill and Practice

This course introduces the theories and methods of dance analysis. The student is guided to apply the concepts and skills for dance creation and case analysis as the foundation for further research. Course content includes: (1) analysis on basic movement analysis and documentation; (2) analysis on movement element, structure, dynamics, vocabulary, form, style, and so on.

Topics on Contemporary Theatre Production

The course covers three major topics: 1. Introduction to the genres, styles, theories and developments throughout history. 2. To analyze and probe into drama performances chronically (such as new performing styles of old scripts and the musicals). 3. To probe into productions of contemporary theatres.

Topics on Contemporary Music Production

The course covers five topics: 1. Introduction: to examine the background and significance of contemporary music from historical and cultural aspects. 2. Topic 1 (thinking): to introduce and discuss contemporary music based on academic research aspect. 3. Topic 2 (appreciation): to discuss contemporary music from aspects of composers and performers. 4. Topic 3 (critiques): to discuss aesthetic issues about contemporary music and the difficulties it may face ahead in the future, from the viewpoints of actual performance and the commentary. 5. Conclusion: to clarify the background, mainstream of thoughts, characteristics of styles of contemporary music, with a good scenes to judge the tendency of its future development.

Intercultural Research and Application in Performing Arts

Studies from cross-cultural works to cross-field performing art methods. This course will take the examples of the Taiwan Contemporary Legend Theatre's adaptation of Western classis: Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis, Run! Chekhov! from Anton Chekhov's 14 novels, The Emperor Kangxi and the Sun King Louis XIV, Goethe's Faust. Students will be asked to analyse the multidisciplinary contents of cross-field performing arts in means of Peking Opera (Jing Ju), dance theatre, opera, musicals, drama and video art; adopt the methods in practice and presentation.

Special Seminar I

Students are trained to develop the ability to discern cross-cultural value through study of poems and participation in festivals and related conferences, thus gain an understanding of historical development and a global view, laying a foundation for making analysis on aesthetic theories and commentary.

Criticism of Performing Arts

This class focuses on the aesthetics and commentary of performing arts, cultivating students’ ability to making analysis and comments. Students are guided to learn the basic logics for making analysis, integration, and judgment, laying the foundation of analyzing aesthetic theories and commentary.

Cultural Ecology of Performing Arts

This course introduces several key concepts about the culture of performing arts (for instance, ‘individual,’‘society,’‘nation,’‘state,’‘culture,’‘identity,’‘industry,’‘westernization,’‘modernization,’‘westernization,’‘globalization,’‘localization,’‘orientalism,’ and ‘post-colonialism’). Referring to theories and research findings from these fields of sociology, cultural studies, performing history, criticism and cultural ecology, graduate students are guided to explore the characteristics of the status of contemporary Taiwanese performing arts, and thus laying the foundation for conducting interdisciplinary and intercultural research and commentary.

Sociology of Performing Arts

The theories, research methods and issues relevant to performing arts in the field of sociology are introduced in this course. Through analysis of the interaction between individuals and society in the creation, performance and interpretation of performing arts, graduate students are led to integrate their research achievements in the field of performing arts, develop sociological discussions and lay the foundation for cross-discipline, cross-cultural research and commentary.

Topics on Dance Criticism

This course focuses on fundamental theories and methods for making commentary on dance, with references of theories and research methods for study of aesthetics, dance studies and performing arts. Through study of the basic concepts of dance as well as its kills and actual practices, students are guided to analyze and make comments on the characteristics of contemporary Taiwanese dance, laying foundation for making future interdisciplinary and intercultural research and commentary.

Intercultural Study in Dance

This course focuses on cross-cultural research on dance. It uses relevant discussions in the fields of anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, and performing arts research, to explore the cultural borrowings, mixing and fusion phenomenon involved in the creation, performance and interpretation of dance. This course guides graduate students to develop dance research and discussion, laying the foundation for cross-discipline, cross-cultural research and commentary.

Intercultural Study in Theatre

Course content is planned as follows: 1. Introduction. (definition and delineation of cross-cultural drama) 2. Becoming familiar with relevant national theatrical culture (1. Traditional Japanese theater .2. Traditional Indian theater. 3. Traditional Chinese theater. 4. Western theater.) 3. Interaction between Western and Oriental theatrical culture (input and output). 4. Mutual use of cross-cultural drama (1. Western use of the theories and methods of Chinese theater - Brecht, Meyerhold, Schechner, etc.) 5. Contemporary cross-cultural theater performances: (mutual use of Japanese and Western theatrical performances. Mutual use of Indian and Western theatrical performances. Mutual use of Chinese and Western theatrical performances. Structure and deconstruction, symbolism and meta-frameworks, and their diversion for use in performance are also discussed.) 6. Conclusion.

Study and Application on Crossover Music

In recent years, music types have become progressively more diversified, and interdisciplinary cooperation with non-music fields of art in particular have become one kind of performing art to attract public attention. This course aims to study the artistic principles and forms of expression of 'cross-discipline music', to understand the relationships with the various elements involved and the relationship between the elements themselves, respectively, from the perspectives of music and of other fields. Through analysis of actual works, exploring creators and performers, and dialog between appreciators, and then comment on the aesthetic features, and cultural significance of 'cross-discipline music,' and its practical value.

Studies on Music

The content of this course includes theory and practice. In the field of theory, it will include history of music, analysis of music, aesthetics of music, music style etc. In the field of practice, it will include music appreciation, music production, music performance, music criticism, music application, etc.

Performing Arts Practice I

"Narrating stories in songs and dance" is the unique performing style of Traditional Chinese Opera (Xiqu); it includes various contents such as philosophy, literature, mythology and life, which provides a high value for the modern theatre to learn and experience. Using modern theatrical pedagogy, this course will teach students the four skills--singing, chanting, acting and acrobatics--in Peking Opera (Jing Ju), the practice of five means-- hand, eye, body, step and method, as well as the classification of different characters in Jing Ju--Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou. Students will need to adopt these methods in impromptu singing, dancing and drama performing. A performance presentation will be required at the end of the semester.

Intercultural Study in Music

Music is a man-made product. Its development and form have grown out of the education and cultivation of human civilization. Its content and styles are the artistic crystallizations of a variety of cultural blending and developments. With the globalization of contemporary society, the distance between China and the West has progressively narrowed. Understanding the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western musical culture can not only stimulate mutual exchange, but also enhance the depth and breadth of the development of contemporary musical art, depicting the new musical aesthetics of the spirit of the times.

Topics on Dance Theatre

This course focuses on the analysis and application of dance theater works of art, combining theory and practice, to explore the interactive relationship between the creation, performance and interpretation of dance. The course guides graduate students to employ the theories and methods of dance research and commentary, and supplement them with the theories and methods from other fields of the performing arts, transforming them for use in research and commentary.

Performing Arts Practice II

In Asia, the production and performance of theme-based musicals has become a new wave of the mainstream market. However, is mimicking the styles and forms of Broadway the only way to create a path and a developmental direction? How to find a wealth of content in one's own culture and traditional opera, and transform it into contemporary Oriental musicals, is the main direction of this course. Cross-culturalism covers several cultures, and even the common memory of the world culture, and these memories are in fact the bright spots in the long history of the development of human civilization. The other main direction of this course is to interpret the symbols of the mind.

Special Seminar II

This course is able to expand students' abilities of intercultural value speculation, and through the poetics of space and participation in cultural festivals and research and discussion, students are able to establish a value judgment ability with historical depth and an international field of vision, thus learning to utilize either urban or rural space.

Performing Arts as Creative Industries

Through exploration of the functions and characteristics of performing arts in cultural transmission, we consider the functions and applications that can be brought into play by the creative industries of the performing arts through audience cultivation and the creation of an aesthetic environment, under national cultural policies.

Seminar on Music Theatre

In recent years, Music Theatre has become one of the most popular types of Performing Arts. This seminar aims to study the artistic theory and performing style of Music Theatre. Through the interdisciplinary studies on both music and theatre, this seminar discusses the involved elements and their relationships. Through analysis of the actual works, this seminar explores the communications among the creators, performers and audience. Finally, the aesthetic quality and cultural significance will also be discussed in the seminar.

Studies on Chinese Operas

Chinese opera is a treasure of theatrical culture, with an extraordinary appeal that has lasted more than eight hundred years on the stage. For the present era, the classical texts of poetic hearts can be transformed into the surging fountain of modern sentiment. The powerful energy of Chinese operatic performances, where every sound is like a song and every action like a dance, can be used to express the role characters' inner tensions, beautiful theatrical poems, moving voices, concise performances, superb skills of gliding through the air, colorful costumes and make-up, types of operatic facial makeup, modeling, free gesture and suggestion, and symbolic art forms, achieved with a performance of musical synthesis. In this course, Teacher Wu Xing-guo holds a cordial discussion of theater. The curtain is drawn back on the mysterious beauty of the theater, through appreciation of classic plays, to experience the implications and significance of words and actions therein.