Advanced Acting

Advanced Acting
TH 3201
Fall 2007
4 credits
Office: HFA 105 D
MWF 10:30-11:35 a.m.
HFA 110
Phone: x6245 E-mail: bremers
Office Hours: Tues., Thurs 3-4 p.m. and by appt.

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES
This course will give you the opportunity to explore the acting 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 perform in “classic” plays. 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 skills in such key areas as staging, coaching, text analysis, character development, and ensemble.

Required texts
Acting in Person and in Style

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.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS/GRADES
Requirements:
Class attendance, participation, and performance
Readings in texts, handouts, and reserve materials
Directing and acting projects in scenes, monologues, and exercises
Attendance at or participation in UMM’s production of A Lie of the Mind, plus a short reflection paper Researching and presenting on a classical actor or director
A final performance presentation

Grading Breakdown (250 points max):

Class attendance/participation 75 points

Greek Performance Projects 30 pts.

Shakespeare Tragedy Performance Projects 45 pts.

Shakespeare Comedy Performance Projects 45 pts.

A Lie of the Mind Reflection Paper 10 pts.

Actor Presentation 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: 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; completion of your final presentation.

Performance Projects: You will undertake a variety of performance projects, including an acting assignment involving Greek tragedy, 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. 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 actore associated with classical theatre. 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. You MUST give a final presentation to complete this course.

POLICIES/GUIDELINES

Attendance: Since theatre performance is cooperative and hands-on, attendance is vital and mandatory. You are allowed two unexcused absences on days when you are not scheduled for a presentation. Each additional absence will reduce your attendance grade by 5 points per day. Lateness past 15 minutes will be considered an absence. Three lateness’s 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.

--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.

--Written work is due at the start of class on the assigned day or your grade starts at a C. 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.

--Computer, printer, and copier problems DO NOT excuse late work. Allow sufficient time to print out or copy your work.

--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 circumstances. 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 of 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.

CALENDAR FOR ADVANCED ACTING

Aug.

W 29

F 31

Sept.

Oct.

Fall Break

Nov.

Thanksgiving

Dec.