Syllabus

Thea 272 Intermediate Acting

3 Credit hours

Text:  There is no required text for this course.  You will receive handouts during the semester.

Course Description
Theatre 272 introduces the student actor to aspects of the Stanislavski system of acting and realistic acting techniques for the modern theatre.  Emphasis is on character analysis, ensemble acting for an audience with exercises I concentration, observation and use of inner truth and emotional recall.  Skills learned include interpretative and internal techniques for character identification and bringing a character to life.

Attention is given to improving verbal and nonverbal acting qualities.  Some evening and weekend participation is often necessary.  Prior completion of THEA 105-106 is necessary without the permission of the instructor.

Course Outcomes

1. You will be able to imaginatively create the environment called for in a play, and behave as if that environment is real.
You will do demonstrate your understanding of this through
a. participation in class exercises
b. presenting your fourth wall
c. scene and monologue presentations

2. You will be able to articulate the words of the play clearly to an audience.
You will demonstrate your understanding through:
a. participating in class exercises
b. presenting your warm up exercises that help you articulate effectively
c. being clearly understood during your scene and monologue presentations.

3. You will be able to use the script to understand the character’s inner objectives and needs in a scene.
You will demonstrate this understanding through:
a. preparing written acting scores for your scene and monologue
b. demonstrating truthful behavior for your character in scene and monologue performances.

4. You will be able to observe these techniques in other actors, learning from their work.
You will demonstrate this understanding through:
a. attending theatrical performances by professional and/or highly skilled actors
b. writing an assessment of what you observed an actor doing, explaining the objectives you observed and how you interpreted those objectives.

5. You will be able to use self discipline needed in successful acting.
You will demonstrate this through:
a. regular and timely class attendance
b. committed participation in class exercises
c. being prepared for each class presentation or activity as scheduled.

6. You will be able to make detailed observations of human behavior and recreate that behavior, as appropriate, in an imaginative setting.
You will demonstrate this through:
a. exhibiting truthful behavior in scenes and monologues
b. presenting an observation exercise based on behavioral observations outside of class.

Attendance
Your attendance is essential to your success in this course.  Most of the course relies on participation in classroom activities.  You are allowed only four absences from class; excused or unexcused.  After two absences, your grade will be lowered one full grade point for each missed class session.  For example, if you had enough points for an ‘A’ but missed five class sessions, the highest grade you can receive is a ‘B.’  Reliability is one of the most important aspects of an actor.  Attendance is as much a part of the class as any of the assignments.

Assignments

Writing Actor Observations
You will write specifically about your observations of the acting in one regional play which you will be required to attend.  These papers will be at least two pages and worth 50 points.  You will see a minimum of three plays.

Actor’s Score
You will notate your script with beat changes and given circumstances for each scene and monologue presented in class.  50 points each.

Journal
You will be required to keep a journal.  You will make daily entries into your journal, describing warm up exercises, acting exercises, observations from your life, and anything else that will be useful to you as an actor.  These journals will be checked periodically throughout the semester.  Your journal is worth 100 points.

Vocal Warm up
Students will participate in various vocal and physical warm up exercises.  At the end of the course, you will put together a personal warm up that lists and describes the exercises you feel most useful to you and why.  This is worth 100 points.

Outside Observation
You will attend three plays in the area. You should anticipate a cost of $35.00 for tickets to these plays.  Each ticket stub is worth 10 points.

Classroom Exercise
The primary focus of this class is in classroom acting exercises building performance technique.  The emphases is on ensemble acting.  Students in this class will be responsible to participate in exercises that require them to be in front of an audience.  The participation is expected to be willful and enthusiastic.  Students earn a total of 200 points in classroom exercises.

Fourth Wall Assignment
You will recreate a scene from your real life, that has some stakes for you, that is also a private moment.  Your task will be to surround yourself inside your environment, imaginatively filling in the theatrical fourth wall with the environment of your scene.  Your recreation will be presented to the class.   50 points

Monologue
You will develop at least one monologue as an audition piece.  This will be worth 150 points.

Scenes
You will present at least one scene with another actor.  These will be developed through the semester and will be worth 200 points.

Final Exam
The Final Exam will consist of presentation of scenes and monologues, along with complete actor’s scores.

Grading
Observations:             50 points                                            90% = A
Actor Score:            100 points                                            80% = B
Journal:                    100 points                                            70% = C
Warm Up:               100 points                                            60% = D
Plays:                         30 points
Fourth Wall   50 points
Classroom:              200 points
Monologue: 150 points
Scene:                     200 points
Total:                       980

Plays and dates*:

Sept. 13 - 29, (Wed – Thu: 7:30 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 8:00 p.m., Sat/Sun matinees: 2:00 p.m.)
The Rainmaker by Richard Nash
Interplayers Ensemble
174. S. Howard, Spokane
509-544-PLAY (7529)
http://www.interplayers.com
$10.00 students with ID card, $21.00 general admission, matinee $15.00

Sept. 29 – Oct. 28, (Thurs. 7:30 p.m., Fri/Sat: 8:00 p.m., Sun. 2:00 p.m.)
South Pacific
Spokane Civic Theatre
1020 N. Howard, Spokane
1-800-446-9576
http://www.spokanecivictheatre.com
$24.00 general admission, 12.00 students, there may be student rush tickets 30 min before curtain

Sept. 21 – Oct. 6 (Tues, Wed, Thu: 7:30 p.m., Fri./Sat. 8:00 p.m., Sat/Sun: 2:00 p.m.)
Long Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill
Actors Repertory Theatre
Spokane Falls Community College
3410 W. Ft. George Wright Drive, Bldg. 5: Communications Bldg.
509-838-4013
http://www.actorsreptheatre.com
$10.00 students with ID card

Oct. 12, 13, 7:30 p.m.
Broadway Bound by Neil Simon (adult language and themes)
Oct. 18 – 28, Nov. 1 – 3, Nov. 8 – 10, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 4 at 2:00 p.m.
The Rainmaker by Richard Nash
Lake City Playhouse
1320 E. Garden Ave.
Coeur d’Alene, ID
208-667-1323
http://www.lakecityplayhouse.org
Tickets $16.00 general admission, $13.00 students

Oct. 25 - 27, Nov. 1 – 3, 7:30 p.m.
Eastern Standard, by Richard Greenberg (very strong language, adult themes)
NIC Theatre Arts
NIC, Schuler Auditorium
FREE;   House opens 7:00 p.m.

• Some plays that you see may contain material that you find uncomfortable or offensive.  I encourage you to attend and attempt to understand the choices made by the playwright and the production company.  See me if you have concerns or questions.

Tentative Course Schedule
Intermediate Acting

Recommended Reading
An Actor Prepares.  Constantin Stanislavski.  Theatre Arts Books.
Acting: The First Six Lessons.  Richard Boleslavsky.  Theatre Arts Books.
Audition.  Michael Shurtleff.  Walker Publishing Co.
Impro.  Keith Johnstone.  Routledge.
On Acting.  Sanford Meisner.  Vintage Books.
On the Technique of Acting.  Michael Chekhov.  HarperPerennial.
Respect for Acting.  Uta Hagen.  Macmillan.