Course Syllabus

Through individual and group exercises, improvisations, monologues and scene studies,this class, eclectic in method, helps students develop their acting potential and sharpen their skills in interpreting scripts. Previous theatre study is not required.

I like to tailor my classes to the specific needs of my students, some of whom are somewhat experienced and some of whom have no experience.As this is an introductory acting class, we will start slowly and based on the group and its abilities, will move accordingly through the semester.

I want to stress that this is a studio style PERFORMANCE class and that active participation is an important part of that.It is NOT a class for people who want to read about different acting techniques and approaches. It is a class for someone who will learn by doing, someone who is willing to invest fully in the exercises and someone who is willing to put in time outside of class to work on material. It is really the only way that one can feel and experience for themselves what acting requires and get the most out of the class. Sometimes the large class number makes it more difficult to give the individual attention I would like to give to each student, but I do my best to work with everyone in the time we are given.

 

Classes will have a basic structure.

WARMUPS

We will begin each class with a warmup, both physical and vocal, in order to prepare to work with our bodies and voices in class. These exercises are standard for actors and we will try different techniques to solve different problems. Warmups are a way to clear your head, to loosen up and to be free to concentrate on the work to come.They also provide a way for a class to gel as a group of people who will be working together for the semester.

THEATRE GAMES,ACTING EXERCISES and IMPROVS

After WARMUPS we will move on to some theatre games and improvisations.These are another way of learning to work together, a way of sharpening your instincts, going with your impulses and having fun. Improvs are a great way to explore environment, how our bodies encounter space,how we encounter other people and react to them. Our theatre games are drawn from the work of Viola Spolin and are used to explore WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? And WHY? The answers to these five questions are essential in approaching any character, any acting scene.

CHARACTER, TEXT, MONOLOGUE and SCENE WORK

I like to draw on improvisation and observation of real people for students to begin to explore how a character is created.  Students will create their own characters and monologues and present them to the class. We will then move on to monologues from plays. We will begin slowly, finding basic approaches to text and character, working together as a class, though students will be working on their own individual piece and presenting their work to each other. Each student should find their own  monologue from a play. However, I  will have possibilities for them to look at, if they are feeling unsure.

 Only contemporary plays will be used for monologue work, scene work, and cold readings of scripts. I will choose some of the scenes to be worked on, but students are also asked to research and read plays on their own and bring in material that interests them. We will move from monologue work to reading of scenes and continue to discuss character, motivation,specific language of the playwright and structure of the scene.  Students will then be paired up and work on a specific scene.They will need to find time to work outside of class, with their scene partner in addition to working on their scenes in class. But I must stress that the work outside of class is crucial, because class size often limits the time we can spend in class, in order to let as many people work as possible.

MID TERM and FINAL PRESENTATIONS

A midterm presentation of monologues and a final presentation of scenes will  be a required part of the semester. These presentations are the mid term and final exam. There is no written examination for this class, but rather presentations of the work people have done. Monologues and scenes must be memorized and staged and reflect work done in and outside of class.

SOME BASICS

It's best not to wear tight fitting clothes that will restrict your movement. You can certainly bring comfortable clothes and change into them. Wear comfortable shoes as well.  Come to class ready to work and play.

Taking notes with pen and paper is preferred. No laptops, tablets or turned on cellphones, please. All electronic equipment must be turned off.

Please try to stay in the room until class is over. If you must leave to go to the bathroom, do it as quietly as possible.

Feedback from fellow students will be allowed at certain times. Giving and accepting constructive feedback is important.Consideration and trust of each other is a part of the class.

Individual meetings will happen with students from time to time to check in on progress.I am happy to do some individual coaching sessions and scene work, if we can set them up. I cannot keep regular office hours, because of an ever changing rehearsal schedule, but am happy to set up times with students. Just email me and we can meet. 

Students are required to attend 3 theatre performances during the semester and must submit a report of their experience. This can be a professional, student or community theatre production. We will provide a link to shows going on during the semester, as well as suggestions for discounted or free tickets.

ATTENDANCE

This is a studio class and being present and on time is essential and a courtesy to your classmates.

One absence will lower your final grade by one mark.( e.g. A to A-)

Two absences will lower your final grade one full letter( e.g. A to B) and 

each additional absence will lower your grade another full letter.

Two latenesses will be counted as one absence.

No special arrangements can be made to make up missed assignments or classes, because of time constraints.

Please never miss class when a performance assignment is due. You will receive a zero for that assignment and not be able to make it up.

GRADING

A to A- Excellent. Always prepared, outstanding presentations. Highly motivated and willing to try new things.Extraordinary growth during the semester. An active and positive contributor to the class. Punctual. Perfect Attendance.

B to B-  Very Good to Good.  Well prepared. Pursues improvement and is motivated. good presentations. Notable growth during semester. Positive contributor. Punctual. Good attendance. No more than 2 absences.

C to C - Acceptable to Good. Average. Generally prepared. Average presentations. Some growth during semester. Sporadically contributes. Not always present. No more than 3 absences.

D to D- Unacceptable to Acceptable. below average. minimal effort. Often not prepared. Shows little interest. Very little growth during semester. Seldom contributes. Negative attitude. Sometimes late; several absences.

no more than 4 absences.

F Largely. Unacceptable.Rarely prepared. Poor presentations. No interest in self improvement. No growth during semester. Does not contribute, negative attitude. Not punctual; more than 4 absences.