Adv. Acting and Directing I: Period Styles Dr. Ray T. Schultz
TH 3201 Fall 2002 4 credits Office: HFA 105 b
MWF 10:30-11:35 a.m. HFA 110 Ph: x6267 E-m: schultzr
Office Hours: Tues. 2:30 -- 4:00 p.m.; Wed. Noon -- 1:30 p.m. & by appt.
I. COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES.
This course will give you the opportunity to explore the acting and directing process within the context of theatre in general and period drama in particular. It will help you acquire and develop effective techniques and strategies to successfully direct and/or perform in “classic” plays. Through a study of select plays from ancient Greece and Elizabethan England, you will expand your basic knowledge of the drama and theatrical “style” of these periods. Through readings, acting and directing scenes and exercises, and other activities, you will broaden your basic knowledge of concepts, terms, and techniques, and enrich your acting and directing skills in such key areas as staging, coaching, text analysis, character development, and ensemble.
II. REQUIRED TEXTS.
Although for certain projects you may choose to use or refer to other plays, the following are plays you will need to acquire and read for class: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles and Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare.
You will also need a notebook/journal separate from other subjects. (I will collect journals from time to time. You will also need to submit copies of some entries for projects. ) I also recommend a pocket folder to store handouts.
You will also be responsible for readings from handouts or reserve.
III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS/GRADES.
Requirements:
A. Class attendance, participation, and performance.
B. Readings in texts, handouts, and reserve materials; making journal entries.
C. Directing and acting projects in scenes, monologues, and exercises.
D. Attendance at or participation in UMM’s production of Dancing at
Lughnasa, plus a short reflection paper.
E. Researching and presenting on a classical actor or director.
F. Compiling and presenting a directorial concept project.
G. A final performance presentation.
Grading Breakdown (250 points max):
A. Class attendance/participation/performance 75 points
B. Greek Performance Projects 30 pts.
C. Shakespeare Tragedy Performance Projects 45 pts.
D. Shakespeare Comedy Performance Projects 45 pts.
E. Acting in a Shakespeare Scene 15 pts.
F. Dancing at Lughnasa Reflection Paper 10 pts.
G. Actor/Director Presentation 15 pts.
H. Directorial Concept Project 15 pts.
Grading Scale:
226-250 pts. = A 186-191 pts. = B- 157-164 pts. = D+
216-225 pts. = A- 181-185 pts. = C+ 147-156 pts. = D
201-215 pts. = B+ 171-180 pts. = C 141-146 pts. = D-
192-200 pts. = B 165-170 pts. = C- 0-140 pts. = F
--Students taking the course S/N must receive a C- in order to pass.
Class attendance/participation/performance: This includes active participation in daily discussions and activities; commitment to, enthusiasm for, and growth in your work; execution of classroom work and homework in a timely manner; productive use of your journal; completion of your final presentation.
Performance Projects: You will undertake a variety of performance projects, including an acting/directing assignment involving Greek tragedy, directing two scenes from plays by Shakespeare (one tragic, one comic), and the acting of two Shakespearean set speeches (one tragic, one comic), as well as the appropriate paperwork for each. Additionally, you will act in one Shakespearean scene directed by one of your classmates. You will receive further instructions and assignment sheets for these projects.
Non-Performance Projects: You will complete three non-performance projects that involve developing your research, writing, and analytic skills. They include a reflection paper on the fall production, a presentation on a notable actor or director associated with classical theatre, and a portfolio (and presentation) that develops a concept for a theoretical production of one of the plays we will study. These projects may have both written and oral components. You will receive further instructions and assignment sheets for these projects.
Final Presentation: Since this is a performance class, there will be no final “exam,” but as a class you will present selected scenes/monologues at a time TBA. If feasible, I would like to have this be open to an invited audience. More on this anon. You MUST give a final presentation to complete this course.
IV. POLICIES/GUIDELINES.
Attendance: Since theatre is a cooperative and hands-on venture, attendance is vital and mandatory. You are allowed two unexcused absences on days when you are not scheduled for a presentation. If you have between 3-5 unexcused absences, expect two points to be taken off your class attendance/ performance grade for each unexcused absence. For 6 or more, deduct three additional points for each unexcused absence. Punctuality is also vital; therefore, lateness past 15 minutes will be considered an absence. Three latenesses under 15 minutes will equal one absence. Since this is a performance class and such a substantial portion of your work consists of scheduled assignments and projects that are presentational in nature, a chronic attendance problem is certain to result in a low or failing grade.
EXCUSED absences are official WRITTEN excuses from the proper authorities (Chancellor’s office for activity participation and family emergencies; Health Services, doctor for serious illness, etc.) Only these official excuses will be accepted, but YOU still remain responsible for the work missed, including rescheduling of scenes and presentations, etc. Consult the UMM bulletin for further details.
Assignments:
--When applicable, all outside written work should be typed, double-spaced, and have one-inch margins. Please use a readable font in 12 point size. Make use of spell check and proof read your written work; excessive mechanical/grammatical errors will adversely affect your grade. (Obviously, written work like copies of journal entries and notated scripts do not apply.)
--Choice of scenes, monologues, and project topics must be cleared with me in advance. Please submit choices in writing, even if we discuss them.
--Late work will not be credited or allowed to be presented in class without the proper written excuses; if you are absent for a scheduled scene, activity, or project, you will receive a “0” without the proper written excuse.
--There will be no extra credit offered for this course.
Student Responsibilities:
--You are personally responsible for acquiring notes, handouts and any other information for any missed classes.
--For your own protection, make extra hard copies of all your written assignments. Computers have been known to crash—and even teachers are known to misplace things--or never receive them!
--Computer, printer, and copier problems DO NOT excuse late work. Allow sufficient time to print out or copy your work.
--Since you are ultimately responsible for your own grade, please see me ASAP should any problems or concerns arise. My office hours are listed. Don’t be afraid to make an appointment or drop by. I want you to de well!
--It is in your best interest to arrive on time. Arrive with enough time to be both physically and mentally prepared for class!
--You are responsible for announced changes in the syllabus or class schedule.
-- Please consult the university bulletin for guidelines concerning withdrawals, incompletes and academic dishonesty. I will give an incomplete only in the most dire of circumstances. (And since this is a performance class, those circumstances would have to be very dire indeed.) Academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or cheating, will result in a failing grade for the assignment or project. Furthermore, you may also risk failure for the course and consequences on the university level.
-- Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with physical, sensory, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. Please see me as soon as possible for further information.
In the best interests of this class, I reserve the right to alter portions of this syllabus. Any changes will be announced in class.
V. HUMBLE SUGGESTIONS:
--Keep current with your readings & journal entries. You should be making about 2-3 journal entries a week. (Again, I may collect these from time to time.) View the journal not as an assignment but as an opportunity and tool: warehouse ideas here, grapple with problems, assess weaknesses and improvements, etc. This is your daily barometer for this course.
--Compete only with YOURSELF! This classroom is a laboratory, not a commercial theatre; this class is a place to take chances, to grow and learn from both successes and failures. Ultimately, since artistic performance is difficult to objectively measure, I will be giving considerable weight to your effort, preparation, adherence to theatre etiquette, cooperation with others in the class, improvement, etc.
--Plan ahead when working on scenes/projects. Theatre is a process: you need to give yourself and others time to develop, digest, and germinate. The day before is not sufficient gestation time.
--Some thoughts to leave you with:
-- “Style [is] the particular tone, mood, atmosphere, emphasis and ‘dimension’ in which the idea is conveyed.” Harold Clurman
-- “There has to be a balance between the seemingly natural on the one hand and coming to terms with heightened language on the other. . . . Playing Shakespeare is to do with marrying the two traditions. And in saying that I’m not suggesting that one is more important than the other. They are both vital.” John Barton
-- “The search for style becomes more and more prominent when the substance vanishes.” Peter Brook
-- “In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.”
Oscar Wilde
CALENDAR FOR ADV. ACTING/DIRECTING I: Period Styles
(This schedule is tentative and subject to change.)
I have divided up the semester roughly into three sections or units with some proposed due dates for assignments/projects. Reading/exercise assignments will be announced in class.
M Aug. 26 Welcome & Intros;
W Aug. 28 Read Peter Brook Handout; prepare personal definition of style; Participate in or attend part of D @ L audition
F Aug. 30 Present sample of previous work; syllabus quiz
M Sept. 2 Labor Day -- No class
W Sept. 4 Begin Greek Tragedy & Oedipus
F Sept. 27 Greek Acting/Directing Presents
M Sept. 30 Wrap Greeks; Critiques Due
W Oct. 2 Begin Shakespeare Tragedy & Macbeth
M Oct. 7 Shakespeare #1 Scene and Monologue Choices Due
M Oct. 14 Fall Break – No Class
M Oct. 28 Shakespeare #1 Presents
W Oct. 30 Wrap Shakespeare #1; Critiques Due
M Nov. 4 Dancing at Lughnasa Reflections Due
W Nov. 6 Begin Shakespeare Comedy & Much Ado
M Nov. 11 Shakespeare #2 Scene and Monologue Choices Due
M Nov. 18 Actor/Director Presentations Due
W Nov. 20 Ray Away at NCA in New Orleans--TBA
F Nov. 22 Ray Away at NCA in New Orleans--TBA
M Nov. 25 Directorial Concept Projects Due
F Nov. 29 Happy Thanksgiving! No Class
F Dec. 6 Shakespeare #2 Presents
M Dec. 9 Shakespeare #2 Critiques Due
W Dec. 11 Last Regular Class!! Final Wrap/Presentation?.
Final scheduled for Mon. 12/16 from 4-6 pm; final presentation here or TBA.
CALENDAR FOR Greek Tragedy Unit
(This schedule is tentative and subject to change.)
W Sept. 4 Begin Greek Tragedy & Oedipus
Have Oedipus read by this date
F Sept. 6 Translation exercise; choose monologue & choral passage
M Sept. 9 Have Greek handout read in entirety by this date
Start on Greek exercises
W Sept. 11 Continue exercises; choral passage (lines memorized)
F Sept. 13 Continue exercises and/or Greek videos
M Sept. 16 Work monologues; (lines memorized)
W Sept. 18 Work chorus in class
F Sept. 20 Work monologues in class
M Sept. 23 TBA
W Sept. 25 Rehearsal Presents
F Sept. 27 Final Greek Presents; Final Paperwork due
M Sept. 30 Wrap Greeks; Critiques Due
Class: Chris Anderson, Peter Barrett, Josh Beaudry, Tim Rutten
E-mails addresses for class
ande2938, barr0295, beau0117, rutt0020