The curriculum for the BFA in Dramatic Performance from CCM is rigorous, demanding, and thorough. The training is practical and tailored to the individual, and is designed to prepare artists for work as an actor in the twenty-first century. Recognizing that there is no one methodology guaranteed to unlock the potential of every individual student, CCM Drama offers diverse experiential training that puts student growth at the center.

Classroom training, with emphasis on acting, voice production, and movement, is the cornerstone of the CCM experience. Production work, taken as a class for credit, is the natural extension of the classroom where students put their training to the test in the rehearsal and production of major works from the theatrical canon. In addition, master classes offered by internationally recognized artists, compliment the student training experience at CCM.

Each incoming class, numbering around 20 students, moves as a group through the four years of training. The curriculum is comprehensive, structured, and varied.

• The acting track takes students through a progression from a year of Viewpoints and Suzuki Training, to a year of Meisner and Morris Training, through an in-depth year in the Michael Chekhov Technique, and finishes with a year of styles work.

• The voice classes offer in depth study of voice production, working knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), Alba Emoting, rigorous dialect studies, verse and scansion, vocal health, and voice-over work.

• In the Movement sequence students encounter the Alexander Technique, Laban training, and a full year of mask work (neutral, full-face primitive, half-face character, commedia, and quality masks). Students encounter a year of combat training, including work in rapier, dagger, quarterstaff, unarmed, and scrappy fighting, culminating in juniors testing for the SAFD (Society of Fight Directors) and, if they pass the test, being recognized actor-combatants in the weapons of choice.

• The First Year Performance Project is a special showcase for all freshmen at the end of their first year of studies. The Senior Showcase, the capstone experience for all seniors, serves as entry into the profession for graduating seniors. Senior Showcase 2008 was performed for the industry (artistic directors, casting directors, agents and managers) in Cincinnati, New York, and Los Angeles.

• The 15 required credits in Rehearsal and Performance and Drama Workshop are earned by being cast in departmental productions. As of the sophomore year all students are required to audition for every show produced by CCM Drama, which includes 5 full-length plays a year.

• Specialized conservatory courses are offered in Acting For the Camera, Audition Techniques, and Business Skills For The Actor

• For elective credit students may choose to take voice lessons from the excellent CCM Voice Department, dance classes from the Dance Division or the prestigious Musical Theatre Department, or academics from the various other colleges of the University of Cincinnati.


Recent Masterclasses and residencies include:
Ellen McLaughlin, (Angels in America, Pts. I and II) Playwright and actress
Anne Bogart, Artistic Director, the SITI Co.
Stephen Webber and Barney O'Hanlon, the SITI Co.
Theatre MITU, Ruben Polendo, New York Theatre Co.
Andre Gregory (My Dinner With Andre, Vanya on 42nd Street) Director/actor
Athol Fugard (Master Harold . . . and the Boys, My Children! My Africa)
and Jose Rivera (Marisol, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, The Motorcycle Diaries)
Diana Maria Riva (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The West Wing, What Women Want, Everybody Loves Raymond, The X- Files, Philly, Luis, CSI) Actress, CCM Drama 1995
Richard Oberacker (The World According to Fishman, Ace, Journey to the West) Composer, Music Director, Cirque du Soleil, CCM Drama 1993
Arnold Mungioli (Mungioli Theatricals) NY Casting Director
Gary Krasny (The Krasny Office) NY Agent
Sandi Logan- Executive V.P of Casting, ABC
Denise Dal Vera- Tri State AFTRA President

Performance Aspects
• Acting I
Full year course - Viewpoints and Suzuki Training

• Acting II
Full year course - Meisner and Morris Training

• Acting III
Full year course - Michael Chekhov technique

• Acting IV
Full year course - Styles

• Acting For The Camera
One quarter course - Practical on camera experience

• Theatre Movement I
Full year course - Modern technique/movement analyis

• Theatre Movement II
Full year course - Mask Characterization

• Theatre Movement III
Full year course Combat- Culminating in SAFD test

• Theatre Movement IV
Full year course - The Alexander Technique

• Voice Production I, II, III, IV
Four years of sequential study of the voice, including production health, IPA, Alba emoting, voice-over, dialects, and verse and scansion

• Audition Techniques
Taught by Ed Stern, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

• Business Skills for the Actor
Comprehensive conservatory course on headshots, resumes, actor taxes, correspondence, LA and NY budgeting, career plans

• Freshmen Showcase
An evening of monologues and scenes presented in conjunction with AFTRA Tri-State

• Senior Showcase
An evening of monologues and scenes presented in Cincinnati, New York, and Los Angeles

• Drama Workshop OR Rehearsal and Performance
Each CCM Drama actor appears in roles in at least 5 plays


Production Aspects
• Intro to Stagecraft

• Stagecraft Lab and Crew
Work in the scene shop for one quarter

• Intro to Make-Up
Learn make-up for one quarter

• Intro to Lighting
Learn lighting for one quarter

• Costume Appreciation
Work in the costume shop for one quarter


Critical Aspects
• Artist in Society
One quarter of academic exploration on being an artist

• History of Theatre
Full year course

• Script Analysis
Two quarters of play reading and analysis

• Fundamentals of Directing
One quarter course

• Dramatic Literature Electives
Choose 5 courses from the English Department

Required Academics
• Freshmen English
Full year writing course

• History
Full year course (choose any 3 history courses)

• Psychology
One quarter course (choose any psychology course)

• Academic Electives (choose 2 courses from the College of Arts and Sciences)

• Electives (any area Take 9 credits of anything you'd like)

Total Credit Hours = 183