FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING Siobhan Bremer
TH 1111 Office 105D
T, Th em: bremers ph: 589-6245
12:00-1:40 Hours: M, T, W @ 2pm
HFA 125 or by appointment
This course explores the use of the voice and the body as means for expression in performance and everyday communication. Focus is on expansion and enhancement of vocal and physical skills through release of tension, posture, vocal exercises and muscle extension. The objectives are for you to examine various techniques for body/voice training, to acquire knowledge about your instrument, to engage in a variety of exercises to help you expand your physical and vocal capabilities, and to develop an appreciation for the interactive relationship between mind, body and will in performance.
TEXTS: Acting in Person and In Style 5th Ed. Crawford,
Hurst, Lugering
Drama and Performance, Vena & Nouryeh
Add make-up kit
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Class attendance, discussion, and participation.
2. Quizzes.
3. Prepared presentations, performances and papers.
4. Production attendance and review.
5. Readings in texts.
GRADING:
1. Class attendance, discussion, and participation- 50 pts
2. Quizzes (2@25)- 50 pts
3. Stanislavski Book Presentation- 25 pts
4. Production attendance and review- 20 pts
5. Performances. (1 @ 20) (2 @ 25pts) (2 @ 30pts)- 105 pts
GRADING SCALE:
250-225 =A
224-199 =B
198-173 =C
172-147 =D
146-0 =F
Students taking the course S/N must receive a C in order to pass.
Class Attendance/Participation: Attendance in class is mandatory. If you are late to class, it disrupts the process. You must be on time, prepared for and actively participate in all classroom activities. WRITTEN Chancellor excuses will be accepted but the student remains responsible for the work missed, including rescheduling of projects, make-up assignments, etc. See Carrie Grussing in Behmler 309 for excuses. Health excuses will not be accepted. You are given 2 absences, when you reach 6 missed classes whether excused or not you will fail this class.
Quizzes: The quizzes are on the schedule. The quizzes can/will consist of matching answers, identifications, short answers, true/false, essays and/or multiple choice questions. If you are absent of the day of a quiz, you will receive a ‘0’ for that test. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS OR QUIZZES GIVEN without proper Chancellor’s excuse. IF excused, you must make-up the quiz the next day class meets to receive full credit.
Stanislavski Book Presentation: Students will be assigned in groups to read particular Stanislavski Acting Book. Each group will prepare an outline of the text and a 40 minute presentation on the acting concepts presented. The presentation can consist of lecture, demonstration, workshops, etc. Additional information will be provided.
Performance Projects: There will be four prepared performances in this class; a monologue (suitable for audition purposes), an audition package (two monologues) and two scenes. All performances require the approval of the instructor before rehearsals begin. A short paper (1-2 pages, 12 point font, 1”margin, header for title) based on the preparation for performance is required for each project. All performances are MEMORIZED.
1. The first performance will be monologue, which is a one person performance from a published source. The written portion of this project will include a character analysis. Additional information will be provided.
2. The second performance will be an audition package, which is one person performance from TWO published contrasting sources. Time limit is 2 minutes. Auditions will be videotaped. The written portion of this project will include a script analysis and a character analysis. Additional information will be provided.
3. The third and fourth performances will be scenes from a published source (if possible, first is a two-person scene; second is a three or more-person scene). We will be working with the Acting/Directing II class. A group grade for actors will be given. The written portion of this project will include a script analysis, a character analysis, costume/make-up design suggestions and a statement on the cooperative rehearsal process. We will have a public presentation of our final scenes. Additional information will be provided.
Production Attendance/Critiques: You are required to attend the University Theatre Production The Laramie Project. Performance Dates are February 14-16 at 8 pm and February 16 at 2pm. Discount tickets are available for students. A critical response to the acting in the production will be written.
Assigned/Written Work: ALL ASSIGNED WORK MUST BE HANDED IN ON TIME OR IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All written work MUST BE TYPED (12-point font, 1-inch margin, use header for titles) or WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All papers should be free of spelling, grammatical and typographical errors. The grade of the paper will suffer if it is not properly proofread. For your own protection, be sure to make copies of everything you turn in. NOTE:
Academic Honesty: Any student found guilty of cheating on a quiz will forfeit the grade for that quiz. Any student found guilty of plagiarism, passing off someone else’s ideas, work, or words as your own, will receive an F in this course. All incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported and acted upon.
Extra Credit: No extra credit will be given to any student.
Incompletes: There will be no incompletes given in this course.
Policy: No smoking, eating, or gum chewing is allowed in class. A water bottle is strongly suggested. Comfortable, loose clothing should be worn for class. You can keep your work out clothes in a locker in the scene shop.
Subject to Change
________________________________________________________________________
Jan 15 Introduction Read Part 1
17 Monologue Due/Assign Text Project
22 No Class- S. Bremer at ACTF conference
24 Work on monologues, Read Chpt 8, Appendix B
29 Toning voice/body, Auditioning
31 Acting is Reacting/class critique
Feb 5 Monologue Presentation
7 Audition Pkg Approval / Chpt 1-3 Centering/sensing/focusing
12 Quiz 1. Class time to rehearse with partner
14 The phone Book/ Pinter exercises, chpt 4-5
19 Age Make-up (meet down in make-up room) Laramie Production Critique Due
21 Bruises/scars make-up (meet down in make-up room)
26 Audition Package Presentation, chpt 6-7
28 Abstract make-up design (meet down in make-up room)
Mar 5 Make-up animals (meet down in make-up room)
7 View auditions and critique
12-14 Spring BREAK
19 Exercises
21 audition for directing class
26 Book Presentation (2 groups)
28 Book Presentation
Apr 2 Quiz 2/rehearse
4 Work on scenes S. Bremer at Boal conference
9 View class critique/audition
11 Rehearse.
16 Rehearse
18 No class S. Bremer supervise Children’s show
23 scene 2
25 view and class critique
30 Public performance
May 2 Wrap-up/Evaluation
No final exam will be given in this course. Class will not meet during final exam week.