DRAMA COMPETENCY POLICY

 

The University of North Carolina at Asheville requires every degree candidate to complete a demonstration of competence in the major field. While most academic departments conduct their competence evaluations in the senior year through a comprehensive examination or a capstone experience such as a research project, the Department of Drama measures its majors' competence each semester they are in the program through a process of juried evaluation. These evaluations assess students' ability to apply the theories and practices they are learning in the classroom under the rigor of public scrutiny in the department's production and performance laboratory, Theatre UNCA.

The field of theatre embraces a wide range of artistic and practical applications, involving individual and collaborative efforts. The drama competence demonstration program seeks to ensure that drama majors gain both breadth and depth of experience in a full range of theatre endeavors.

The Competency Policy of the Drama Department requires that each major contribute on at least one production per semester in order to remain in good standing within the Department. Within that structure, each student is required to complete 9 core competencies (evaluated positions within a production; i.e.: acting, board operators, set carpenters, stage manager, etc.) with 4 electives and an additional 6 competencies within their area (acting/directing, design/technology, general). Electives can be repeated positions with each being evaluated with a progressing level of skill. Before a student can declare a major in Drama, they must complete three pre-declaration competencies as well as any academic requirements listed in the catalog. These competencies are generally working on a show and they do count towards the total number of competencies required to graduate.

Each student will sign up for a position on the show of their choice (unless cast in a production) each semester. These sign-ups do not automatically become the students assigned task. The positions need to be approved by the faculty and then they will be posted with each student initialing their name and checking the spelling, for the program. Upon approval of the position, the student will download and print the appropriate form (each form is in Adobe acrobat format and can be printed as formatted). Once you have the form in hand, read it to know how you are to be evaluated. Then you are to take it to the faculty member that will evaluate your work so that they know that you are their responsibility for the competency. This must be done prior to any work in the position. After the show has closed, you are to meet with the faculty adjudicator and schedule an appointment to complete the evaluation process. Failure to complete any of the listed procedures may result in not getting credit for the work done.

Additional information about work calls are usually posted on the call board.

Below is a list of of the Compentacies. You can download and print the evaluation forms from the appropriate links.

Core Competencies

Must be completed by all Drama majors

Acting/Directing Competency Emphasis

Design/Technology Competency Emphasis

Teacher Licensure

Students must complete the core competencies without duplicating any position, plus they must have an additional six competencies in any areas of choice as long as there exists some order of progression. (ie: you could not design in any area without having first worked at a beginning level in that area.) No position can be taken twice for credit.