← Theatre and Drama (THEATRE)

Hardest courses in Theatre and Drama

Plan ahead for courses where students have earned lower grades.

Lowest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.

Find your fit

11 courses

Ranked courses have at least 100 recorded letter grades.

Voice 1: Effective Communication introduces voice and speech fundamentals, focusing on healthful vocal function and methods of expression for acting and public speaking.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Technical Theatre Fundamentals covers mounting theatrical productions through scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, and stage management with lectures and practical experience.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Fundamentals of Theatrical Design covers foundational elements of theatrical design and skills to translate text into visual and/or aural content.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Acting Skills for Life applies acting techniques to non-arts settings like business and education, focusing on public speaking confidence, communication, and managing stage fright.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Clare Haden

Students described the workload as light, with short, informal writing assignments and brief readings. One student noted the work felt like less than two credits, while others found the varied weekly tasks manageable and fun.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Introduction to Theatre and Dramatic Literature covers reading plays, attending productions, and critical writing to develop analytic skills in theatre.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Scott Campbell

The course involved reading ten plays, with weekly quizzes and open-note online exams that were easy to pass.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Experiencing Theatre explores how theatre is made by attending live performances, watching filmed productions, and engaging in colloquiums with professionals to develop critical thinking and empathy.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Dan Lisowski

The workload included one 50-minute lecture per week and watching plays, either in person or online. Grading relied heavily on attendance and submitting weekly reactions or quizzes about the viewed performances.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Script Analysis studies dramatic structure and basic elements of theatrical text, introducing applied methods for researching, writing, directing, designing, performing, and critiquing plays and screenplays.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Fundamentals of Acting focuses on developing voice, characterization, and physicality techniques, applying them in individual performance and scene study of contemporary dramatic texts.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Audrey Standish

The course represents a significant step up from introductory levels, with the instructor consistently raising the bar for actors and pushing students to improve.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Introduction to Acting provides a basic overview of acting craft, developing actor tools related to voice, movement, language skills, and engaging communication for professional and personal contexts.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Stephen Tabor

The course required few assignments beyond participation and acting, with extra credit opportunities available for major tests and essays.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Intro course analyzing race, gender, and diversity in U.S. settings via theatre/drama. Uses the Theatre for Cultural and Social Awareness Method to question biases and encourage healthy dialogue.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Mark Hairston

One student reported the class involved lots of reading and that answers were often marked wrong unless they matched the professor's specific interpretation.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Performance in Practice offers students practical theatrical experience and skills by working on a University Theatre production in various performance-related positions.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026