Drama Program

actors on a stage

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ABOUT DRAMA

Del Mar College is one of only ten institutions of higher learning in Texas accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SCAS). The Drama Program is an institutional member of the Texas Educational Theatre Association.

I was instructed by a group of people willing to teach, engage, and again empower a younger me. Del Mar Drama put its trust in me as an artist and producer well before I did on my own. -Courtney Richter, Manager of AVB Technology in New York

At Del Mar Drama, you aren’t just a number.

From day one, you begin working on and off stage in dramas, comedies, musicals, and unconventional, original projects.

Start your journey with fundamental courses in acting, movement, and voice for the stage. Classroom instruction is reinforced in the many productions and performance projects each year.

In our theatres, shops, and design studios experience the full gamut of technical theatre. Work safely and creatively with the latest technology, software, and our extensive equipment inventory.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR DRAMA DEGREE PROGRAM

Theater taught me accountability. Know your lines, be on time, and make specific choices. -Nathan Ray Clark, professional actor in LA

  • Drama Faculty

    KIM FREDERICK

    Hired initially as the Scene Designer/Technical Director in 1988 for the Drama Program, Kim has been the Drama Coordinator since 1995 and Chairperson of the  Art and Drama Department since 2021. 

    He has designed set and lights for over 60 productions and directed over 100. 

    Beginning in 2008, he spearheaded the conversation with the College Board of Regents and Administration to renovate the existing Fine Art Building which added 36,000 square feet including the Sue Sellors Finley Theatre. 

    Since 1989, he has served as an adjudicator for the University Interscholastic Leagues One-Act Play Contest judging all levels and conferences including state 6 times. 

    In 2017, Kim was named College Educator of the year by the Texas Educational Theatre Association. 

    FA 119
    (361) 698-1507
    kfreder@delmar.edu


    CARL YOWELL

    Carl Yowell joined the Drama faculty in 1995 as a Guest Artist.  He has directed almost fifty productions for Del Mar Drama and serves as the Sound Producer/Designer for the Department of Art and Drama. In addition to directing, teaching, and producing audio, he has appeared in faculty performances (Equus, Major Barbara) as well as several scholarship fundraisers, most notably the oft-revived The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). He wrote an original dinner theatre production, Murder on Da Bayou, and developed the Lightning Bolt Theatre program. He has directed several productions at Corpus Christi’s Harbor Playhouse, including Les Misérables and The Rocky Horror Show; he has also served on the season selection committee at HP. Prior to his tenure at Del Mar College, Carl was a resident company member of the Old Creamery Theatre, where he became a member of Actor’s Equity Association. He worked for several years in Chicago-area theatres. He has served as an adjudicator for KCACTF Region 4 and has presented numerous times at the Texas Educational Theatre Association and the Texas Non-Profit Theatre Association (now Texas Theatre Network). Throughout all he has voiced or appeared in over 800 commercials and industrial films. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. in Communications/Theatre from Corpus Christi State University (now Texas A & M-Corpus Christi).

    FA 280
    (361) 698-1154
    cyowell@delmar.edu


    CRAIG BRASHEARS

    After working professionally as a scenic designer and technical director in Utah, Colorado, Georgia, and Texas, Craig began teaching at Del Mar College in 1999. He received a BA in Theatre from Texas A&M University and an MFA in Theatre Design from Utah State University, where he was a Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival national finalist in scenic design. He is currently the resident scenic designer for Del Mar Drama’s productions and teaches Theatre Appreciation and Film Appreciation courses.

    FA 279
    (361) 698-1039
    cbrashea@delmar.edu


    SHARA HAGHJOO

    FA 189
    (361) 698-1617
    shaghjoo@delmar.edu


    COLIN MCKEEN

    Colin McKeen, Assistant Instructor, joined Del Mar College Drama Dept in 2014. He received his MFA in Lighting Design and Technology from West Virginia University in 2005. He has enjoyed teaching Theatre Practicum, Film Appreciation, and Introduction to Stage Lighting, as well as being the technical director and lighting designer for many Del Mar College productions. Before coming to Del Mar College Colin was the Technical Director for Harbor Playhouse in Corpus Christi. Some of his favorite productions have been Prom Queens Unchained, The Crucible, and The Bald Soprano and Jekyll and Hyde.

    FA 186
    (361) 698-2053
    cmckeen@delmar.edu

  • Facilities & Theatres

    SCENE SHOP

    Scenery and props for all productions are built by the students under the direction of faculty.

    View of drama scene shop

     

    view of drama's scene shop 

    Design Lab


    Both digital and traditional techniques are taught.

    design studio

    models of sets 

    COSTUME SHOP

    Costumes are designed and created by students under the direction of faculty.

    sewing room with machines

    sewing room with mannaquin

    MakeUp Studio

    Stage makeup is designed and created by students under the direction of faculty.

    makeup studio

    Acting Studio


    A flexible sutdio space for acting instruction.

    empty studio room with chairs

    Sue Sellors FInley Theatre


    A 330-person capacity proscenium style theatre with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. At least one large-scale production is performed here every season.

    Bartlett Theatre


    An 80-person capacity black box style theatre that is versatile and intimate for smaller productions.

  • Scholarships

    2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR

     

    Scholarship auditions and interviews for the 2024-2025 Academic Year will be on the Heritage Campus, April 15-17, 2024. See below for complete information on applying to Del Mar College, and audition/interview information. Contact the Art and Drama Department with questions, or to arrange a campus visit.

     

     

    Del Mar Drama offers scholarship opportunities to new and continuing Drama majors who are enrolled as full-time students.

    • Scholarships are for the Academic year beginning in the Fall semester. 
    • Scholarship amounts vary, depending on funding available at time of award. Awards typically cover a substantial portion of full-time (12 hours), in-district tuition. 
    • Recipients must be declared Drama majors. 
    • Recipients must have significant participation in Drama Program productions and events (either cast or crew) while receiving scholarship. 
    • Recipients must enroll as full-time students at Del Mar College (12 hours/semester). 
    • Recipients must enroll in either DRAM 1120 or DRAM 1121 while under scholarship. 
    • Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA, depending upon the specific scholarship awarded.
    • Scholarships are awarded on a per-semester basis; renewing a scholarship for the Spring semester is based upon faculty review and GPA. 

     

    APPLICATION

    1. New students: Apply for admission to Del Mar College.
    2. Declare Drama as your major.
    3. Submit your Scholarship Application.
    4. Application should include at least  1   email reference from a High School Theatre Arts teacher,  or (non-related) individual familiar with your creative work and potential.
    5. Contact us to arrange an on-campus audition/interview with Drama faculty upon receipt of online application.   

     

    AUDITION/INTERVIEW

    Acting Auditions: Prepare and present two contrasting monologues from published plays: one dramatic, one humorous. Each monologue should be 40-60 seconds. Each monologue should be thoroughly memorized. An armless chair will be provided. No props, please. Your audition will be followed by an interview with Drama faculty. 

    Design/Tech Auditions: Present a portfolio 8 to 10 examples of your design/tech work. Examples can include photos or drawings of scenery/lighting/costume/makeup/props, stage manager’s promptbook, and/or visual artwork. Portfolio can be presented via either hard copy or slide show. Your portfolio presentation will be followed by an interview with Drama faculty. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR AUDITIONERS PRESENTING THEIR PORTFOLIO WITH A SLIDE SHOW: Please bring your presentation on a USB thumb drive.

    Online Scholarship Application

     

     

Finley Theatre & Bartlett Theatre

Del Mar Drama hosts two productions a year - one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Cast and crew positions are open to both Drama majors and students pursuing other studies. Students are guided by our accomplished faculty, who have decase of experience in acting, set design, costume and makeup design, lighting, and directing.

 

Support Our Program

A gift to Del Mar Drama is a gift to our students and our community.

 

give.delmar.edu/drama

Stay in Touch

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@FinleyBartlettDMC
@DelMarCollegeDrama

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Contact Us

Office: (361) 698-1216
Email: drama@delmar.edu

The Fine Arts Building is located at the corner of Ayers and Tompkins.

Google Maps.