THR 121 FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING: Sample syllabus from FALL 2006
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Theatre Department
3 Credits
Room: THEA 101
Dates: August 31- December 12, 2006
Time: TR 11:30 am -1 pm
CARRIE BAKER, Assistant Professor of Theatre
ffccb@uaf.edu
Office Phone: 907-474-7754
Office Hours: MWF 1-5 pm or by appointment
I. Course Description:
The goal of this course is to introduce you to the basics of acting. In this class we will explore core elements of acting such as goal, other, given circumstances, objectives, tactics, obstacles, expectation, and victory. Through exercises, improvisation, and monologue and scene study, we will apply these concepts while focusing on freeing up and strengthening your creative instrument (you!).
II. Course Goals and Student Learning Outcomes:
You will become familiar with basic acting techniques and methods while developing your creative tools vocally, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. By the end of the semester, you will know how to approach improvisation exercises, monologues, scenes, and character analysis. The semester will culminate with a final public performance.
III. Instructional Methods:
This class is very active! You will constantly be up on your feet participating in exercises, improvisations, monologue work, scene work, and a final public performance. The class will also include class discussions, critical writing, journal writing, and character analysis. Your final project will be a performance of a scene with a partner.
IV. Required Reading:
You will have weekly reading from the following books. Your midterm paper (due Thursday October 26, 2006) is on these two books, so keep up with the reading. The following books are available in the bookstore and are also on 2-hour reserve in the library.
Attendance to all classes is mandatory. Exercises, improvisations, discussions, and scene work cannot be made up for the simple reason that they happen in class. If you miss a class, you are missing the course.
Students are permitted one unexcused absence. Excused absences must be supported with written documentation (such as a doctor’s note) presented when you return to the following class. Each unexcused absence will reduce your grade by 3 points. Missing a class in which you are scheduled to perform is unacceptable and will further reduce your grade. You must arrive to class on time. Being late will reduce your grade. Three lates will equal one unexcused absence and reduce your grade accordingly. Come to class everyday and be on time!! I expect the highest level of professionalism and responsibility from each of you.
VII. Grading Policy:
Participation………………..……………..………….………………...20 points
Midterm Paper...…..............................................…….........25 points
Performance Attendances…………………………………………..10 points
Performance & Written Work………………………..……...….…45 points
Personal Monologue………………………….......10 points
Open Scene Presentation………………………...10 points
Final Scene Presentation and Written Work…...25 points
Your level of participation, enthusiasm, energy, and willingness to risk in this class is of the utmost importance. Your effort and growth is as important as the finished product of your scene work. Extensive preparation and rehearsal outside of class is expected. I expect each of you to be committed to creating a positive, supportive, respectful atmosphere. Because of the personal nature of acting, you will all be stepping into uncharted territory which can be exciting and scary. You must support one another during this process. I have zero tolerance for mocking, ridiculing, or in anyway insulting a classmate. This classroom is a safe and respectful space.
What to Wear:
Please wear clothes that you can easily move in, such as sweat pants, T-shirts, and sneakers. No blue jeans, clunky hard soled shoes, or clothes that will inhibit movement. Shut off cell phones. Arrive to class on time, dressed properly, and ready to work, armed with an open mind and spirit. Drink your coffee before class!
The midterm paper (6-8 double-spaced typed pages) will be on the readings in Cohen and Stanislavski. The paper will be graded on the following criteria: grammar, spelling, and coherent, clear, and specific analysis and examples. I will pass out a sheet of specific questions later in the semester.
NOTE: Late papers will be reduced 1 letter grade each day late. Example:1 day late B becomes an B-. Example: 2 days late B becomes C+. Turn in your papers on time!
C. Performance Attendance: 10 points (5 points each play)
You will attend two plays this semester presented by the UAF Theatre Department: The Homecoming presented October 20-29 and Three Days of Rain presented November 10-19. Both plays are in the Lee H. Salisbury Theatre. You receive one free ticket for each show because you are in this class. Simply give your name to the box office when getting your ticket and inform them that you are in this class. Preview night, the night before each opening, is also free for everyone and no tickets are required. You must turn in your ticket stubs with your name on them to me.
You will present a one-minute personal monologue written by you that must be memorized for performance. I will pass out the Personal Monologue Assignment next class.
You will present one “open scene” this semester. The open scene will consist of pre-set dialogue for which you and your partner will create the characters and given circumstances. I will assign scene partners for the open scene. You will perform this scene once and we will work on it in class. I will hand out Open Scene Guidelines later in the semester.
You will present one naturalistic scene this semester. You will choose your own partners for this scene. For the first showing, you will present the scene and we will work on it in class. For the second showing you will present the improved scene. For the final showing you will present the further improved scene in front of a public audience in the Salisbury Theatre Tuesday December 12 @ 6pm. This final showing will count as your final exam.
When you present the scene in class for the first showing, you need to come in with the scene REHEARSED (at least three hours), BLOCKED (movement decided), and OFF-BOOK (lines learned). Also, you should dress appropriately for your character in the scene and have necessary props and set pieces (furniture, etc.). I will hand out Scene Work Guidelines later in the semester. For the final showing of the scene, you must turn in extensive written work which I will explain on the hand out G.O.T.E. Worksheet.
VIII. Important selections from the UAF Student Code of Conduct:
“UAF requires students to conduct themselves honestly and responsibly, and to respect the rights of others. Conduct that unreasonably interferes with the learning environment or that violates the rights of others is prohibited…. Honesty is a primary responsibility of you and every other UAF student. The following are common guidelines regarding academic integrity:
IX. Disabilities Services:
The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and insures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. I will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203 WHIT, phone: 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.
X. Support Services:
XI. Tentative Semester Overview (subject to change):
NOTE: “Weekly Reading” should be done by the Tuesday class each week.
WEEK 1:
8/31 Enrollment, Business, Course Objectives, Grading Policy, Warm-ups
WEEK 2:
Reading:
9/5 Warm-ups/Trust Exercises/ Personal Monologue Assignment hand out
9/7 Warm-ups/Improvisation/Trust Exercises
WEEK 3:
Reading:
Assignments:
9/12 Warm-ups/ GOTE Exercises/ Improvisation
9/14 Warm-ups/ GOTE Exercises/ Improvisation
WEEK 4:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
9/19 Personal Monologues (5)
9/21 Personal Monologues (5)
WEEK 5:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
9/26 Personal Monologues (5)
9/28 Personal Monologues (5)
WEEK 6:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
10/3 Open Scene Exercise/ Open Scene Rehearsals in-class
10/5 Open Scene Rehearsals in-class
WEEK 7:
Reading/ Assignments Due:
10/10 Open Scene Performances (5)
10/12 Open Scene Performances (5)
WEEK 8:
Reading/ Assignments Due:
10/17 Stanislavski/ Cohen Discussion
10/19 FINAL SCENE PARTNERS DUE/ In-class final scene selections with Carrie
WEEK 9:
Assignments Due:
10/24 MIDTERM PAPER DUE/ First read-throughs: all scenes
10/26 Discussion: Rehearsal Techniques/ In-class rehearsal: all scenes
WEEK 10:
Assignments Due:
10/31 In-class rehearsal: all scenes
11/2 In-class rehearsal: all scenes
WEEK 11:
Assignments Due:
11/7 Scene Presentations First Showing (3)
11/9 Scene Presentations First Showing (2)
WEEK 12:
Assignments Due:
11/14 Scene Presentations First Showing (3)
11/16 Scene Presentations First Showing (2)
WEEK 13:
Assignments Due:
11/21 In-class rehearsal: all scenes
11/ 23 Thanksgiving Break
WEEK 14:
Assignments Due:
11/28 Scene Presentations Second Showing on Salisbury Stage (4)
11/30 Scene Presentations Second Showing on Salisbury Stage (3)
WEEK 15:
Assignments Due:
12/5 Scene Presentations Second Showing on Salisbury Stage (3)
12/7 Final Scenes Run-Through All Scenes on Salisbury Stage (10)
EXAM WEEK:
Final Exam: 6 PM Tuesday December 12, 2006
|
University of Alaska Fairbanks |