Theatre Online: The Design and Drama of E-Learning

Theatre and drama are areas of performance and inquiry which usually assume engagement and commitment to the ensemble or group process, supported by strong individual input. How can this "dynamic" be brought into a fully online distance course? In this article we analyse and reflect on the design and implementation of an online theatre studies course using theatrical metaphors to consider the "mise-en-scene," students' entrances and exits into the online space, their solo and ensemble work, and the importance of "teaching presence." Attention is paid to fostering a "course dynamic" that echoes the social world of the learners. The action research undertaken indicates that a fully online course can be as engaging, interesting, and innovative as any course designed for more traditional settings. (Contains 6 figures.)