The Drama Department has a strong and significant history as both a co-curricular and curricular addition to the liberal arts experience and education at Concordia. The college Drama Department started in 1985 under the guidance of Dr. Randy Ritz. By 1990 the department had reached the level of academic minor while contributing at least two full-length theatre productions each year. Over the years, the department has featured over 50 productions for the Edmonton community. They include classics like Tartuffe and As You Like It; Broadway musicals like Suessical and The Apple Tree; Theatre for Young Audiences like The Magician’s Nephew and Ready Steady Go; productions by Alberta Playwrights like Waiting for the Parade and The Mail Order Bride; and co-produced plays with Concrete Theatre and Off The Fence theatrical society to name a few.

Through the Drama program, Concordia students have the opportunity to experience all aspects of dramatic production. University courses and degree programs include a new three-year concentration in drama. Community and regular students are welcome to enrol part-time or full-time, including private lessons. As well, Concordia presents two major dramatic productions a year, one in the fall and one in the winter. Students apply their talents to gain practical experience in the areas of acting, stage management,set design, technical lighting and sound. The 240 seat theatre/auditorium provides a wonderful space for students to explore the power and potential of acting for audiences; yet it is intimate enough to create a safe space for self discovery.

Our video-editing lab, with state-of-the art high definition camera, puts us in a position to integrate film into many aspects of theatre and education. Potential Drama teachers (and teachers in general) will need to know how to edit and facilitate use of digital camera for students now and moreso in the future. Exposure to our editing suite and “hands-on” access to our camera encourages students to go on to further training in film. This work could also lead to professional film projects (as has happened with three of our students).