Theatre 221: Acting 1

 

Spring 2011                                                                                Melanie Blood

TR 11:30-1:20                                                                           121 Brodie

Brodie 245                                                                                  x5840, blood@geneseo.edu

Office hours: MWF 11:30, TR 10:30                                IM: TheaProfonCall

 

Required Books, available at Sundance or College bookstore:

Hagen, Uta. A Challenge for the Actor. New York: Scribners, 1991.

Students must read the plays from which scenes and the monologues are chosen. These may be borrowed or purchased.

 

Required Productions:

1. Vocal Miscellany presents The Fantasticks by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones. Directed by John Gasper and Natalie Mack and music directed by Alan Case. Th 1/27-Sat 1/29 at 8 pm. Wadsworth Auditorium. Tickets $6 students (bbo.geneseo.edu x5583)

2. VegSOUP presents The Heidi Chronicles  by Wendy Wasserstein. Directed by Dana Giglia. Thurs-Sat 2/10-12 at 8 and Fri at 11. Black Box Theatre. Tickets $5 (x5833, bbo.geneseo.edu)

3. The Burial at Thebes: a New Translation of SophoclesÕ Antigone by Seamus Heaney. Directed by Lauren Scheibly. Austin Theatre. March 2-6, 8 pm, Sun at 2. Tickets $8 (bbo.geneseo.edu x5583).

4.  Veg SOUP presents: Jekyl and Hyde  by Leslie Bricusse, directed by Brian Clemente. Black Box Theatre. Thurs-Sat, 4/6-8, 8 pm, Fri at 11. Tickets $6 (bbo.geneseo.edu x5583).

Makeup production, if one of the above is impossible for you: GENsengÕs And the Soul Shall Dance by Wakako Yamauchi, directed by Randy Kaplan. 4/28-30 Thurs 7 PM, Fri 4 PM, Sat 2 PM, Robert Sinclair Theatre; Tickets $8.

 

Online required readings: http://mycourses.geneseo.edu, select Òclass materialsÓ

Play suggestions for scenes and monologues and occasional readings will be placed on mycourses. You are expected to check there regularly.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The successful student will

á        demonstrate an understanding of fundamental principles, theory and techniques of acting

á        apply those fundamentals to improvisation, rehearsal, exercises, and performance

á        commit to and execute theatre exercises and warm ups that facilitate full use of the actorÕs instrument

á        apply critical thinking to acting problems that arise in class, in oneÕs own work, and in the work of students in university productions

á        practice script analysis

á        demonstrate a strong work ethic and collaborate respectfully with other students

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 

1.  The midterm scene will be a two-person scene of approximately five minutes in length, from a play in the realistic tradition, or where the characters can be approached realistically. I will assign partners and recommend specific scenes, but you may suggest scenes for my approval. (20%)

 

2.  The final scene will be a two-person scene of approximately 10 minute in length from a play in the realistic tradition, or where the characters can be approached realistically. You will work with a new partner.  You may request a partner and a scene. The final scenes will be performed during the final examination time Thursday May 5, 8-11 am or 12-3 pm. (20%)

 

3.  Journals should include weekly class entries, reviews of the acting in the four required productions, notes on required readings, and character analyses for the characters you play in the midterm and final scenes and in your monologue. Expected formats and lengths are below. Journals will be collected at mid-semester (3/8) and again at the end of the semester (5/5). Journals may be hand written, if your writing is easily legible, or typed. Journals will be graded for completeness and thoughtfulness, not for specific content or opinions. (20%)

               Weekly class journals should address some or all of the following: notes and thoughts from class, your progress as an actor, acting challenges and discoveries.

               4 Acting reviews should be labeled as such on the top of the page, and focus on 1-2 major characters in the show. They should be 1-2 pages long. They should address the actorÕs physical and vocal choices, as well as actions, obstacles, objectives you see the actor having derived from the text. Your opinions are fine but should be supported with specific observations.

               Reading notes should be marked as such, and record the chapter(s) covered at the top of that page. It should include summaries, quotes, and your personal reactions. Approximately 1 page per chapter is sufficient.

               Character analysis forms will be given to you in class and placed on mycourses.; they are based on your textbook, page 134 ÒThe Six Steps.Ó

 

4. Monologue should be selected for potential use in a professional audition situation, meaning it should be appropriate to age, gender, type, etc. I will put some suggestions online, but you may find your own, with my approval. It should be from a contemporary play, between 1 and 2 minutes long, and either comedic or dramatic. We will work on these throughout the semester, with a final presentation at the final examination May 5. (10%)

 

5.  Participation in class activities and discussions are an essential part of a studio class. You are expected to be present, on time, and dressed appropriately for every class. You are expected to actively participate in exercises and discussions and to prepare some exercises at home. You are expected to be respectful of classmates and to assist as needed in setting up and restoring the Black Box for class. In the case of illness or emergency, I expect to hear from you before class time. Family or religious commitments may arise, and it is your responsibility to let me know about them and to make up work you miss. (30%)

 

FINAL GRADE CALCULATION:

            1.  Midterm scene:                         20%

            2.  Final scene:                                 20%

            3.  Journal:                          20%

            4.  Monologue:                                 10%

            5.  Participation                              30%

 

 

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY

 

SUNY Geneseo will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented physical, emotional or learning disabilities. Students should contact the Director in the Office of Disability Services (Tabitha Buggie-Hunt, 105D Erwin) and their faculty to discuss needed accommodations as early as possible in the semester.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

2 lateness = 1 absence

1 unexcused absence = 5% off total grade

5 unexcused absences = fail the course

 

CLOTHING, TOUCHING, COLLABORATION POLICIES

 

You must be able to move freely and interact with others in this class. To that end, everyone must take responsibility for respecting themselves and others. This includes how we dress ourselves, speak to others, and interact physically with others. Clothing should be loose-fitting and modest, with no heavy belts or big jewelry. No tight or low rise jeans. No skirts or heels. When performing a scene, you may make an exception to these rules for your characterÕs costume. You must listen to and respect one another in class to successfully collaborate. You are expected to meet outside of class to work on scenes; if anyone is late or missing outside meetings I want to hear about it, as it is disrespectful of your partner. You must expect to touch and be touched by classmates and/or me, but we must all be careful to be respectful in how we touch one another. If anything makes you uncomfortable it is your responsibility to speak up, in class or privately.