B. Slade Billew
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
B. Slade Billew Assistant Professor of Acting & Movement School of Theatre Stephen F. Austin State University PO Box 6090, SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962 [email protected] Education Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre. Bowling Green State University. 2016. Dissertation: Holding on to the Basics: Using Sports Psychology to Increase Skill Retention in the Introduction to Acting Classroom. Major Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Chambers Performance Studies Certificate. Bowling Green State University. 2015 Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Pedagogy. Virginia Commonwealth University. 2008 Major Concentration in Directing/Acting Minor Concentration in Movement/Voice and Speech Thesis: Flow-acting: modern sports science and the preparation of actors. Major Advisor: Dr. Noreen Barnes Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. The College of William and Mary. 1996 Teaching Areas of Specialization My teaching focuses on acting, directing, and movement. I have strong focus in actor autonomy and safe stage intimacy practices. I am especially versed in contemporary methods of devised and physical theatre in addition to stage combat. Additionally, I have a strong interest in contemporary theory, performance history, Asian theatre, and technical theatre specifically lighting design. Research Areas of Specialization My research revolves around the pedagogy of acting. I am engaged with questions of the interface between science and performance. My areas of focus within this realm are sports psychology, stress psychophysiology, and cognitive science. I am also engaged in the study of contemplative practices in relation to movement training. I am interested in blends of contemporary and traditional Asian theatre practice, the performance of identity in martial arts and combat sports, and movement as a form of knowledge making. University Teaching Experience Assistant Professor. Stephen F. Austin State University. Fall 2016 – present THR 127: Movement I. Fall & Spring (Multiple Sections) Teach a blend of Contemplative practice, Developmental Movement and the Six Viewpoints. The focus is on self-research and actor autonomy. Introduce students to methods of Intimacy for the Stage and Unarmed Stage Combat. Have also taught the Suzuki Method in this class at times. THR 227: Movement II. Fall & Spring (Multiple Sections) Teach movement training for performers course focused on physical storytelling using Neutral Mask, Clowning, and Armed Stage Combat. THR 221: Beginning Acting. Fall or Spring Use the Michael Chekhov technique and basic Active Analysis exercises to introduce both acting and tech/design students to basics of realist script based acting. 2 Billew THR 223: Theatre Speech. Fall 2016 only Used a variety of games and basic vocal exercises to introduce both acting and tech/design students to basics of vocal health, support and interpretation of text. THR 242: Lighting Technology. Spring 2018 only Taught basics of theatrical lighting technology and design. Including basics of electrics work and design including drafting. THR 321: Intermediate Acting. Fall Teach realist script based acting. Using both Acrobatics of the Heart (Grotowski) and Active Analysis as a basis for script analysis and character creation. Focused on helping students find the tools and approaches within realistic acting methods that best suit their personal needs. THR 427: Advanced Acting. Spring Teach non-realist acting including both period styles (Elizabethan & Greek) and contemporary non-realist performance. The focus of the course is on developing tools to properly research and develop performance within the context of non-realist performance. Uses the Suzuki Method of Actor Training and other tools to develop a non-realist sense of space, time, and body use. THR 472: Performance Topics. Spring Teach a rotating collection of specialized topics in acting and performance. In the Spring of 2020 I taught a specialized course in Stage Combat called Fighting for the Stage. THR 491: Independent Study. Fall or Spring Work individually or in small groups with students on a variety of specialized topics. Topics have included: Stage Combat, Fight Choreography, Intimacy Choreography, Physical Theatre, Black Acting Methods, Working as a Teaching Artist, Acting Pedagogy. Visiting Assistant Professor. Stephen F. Austin State University. THR 227: Movement II. Spring 2016 (Three Sections) Taught three sections of a movement training for performers course. Focused on physical storytelling using Neutral Mask, Clowning, and Stage Combat. THR 241: Stagecraft. Spring 2016 Taught realist script based acting. Using both Stanislavsky and Michael Chekhov as a basis for script analysis and character creation. Focused on helping students find the tools and approaches within realistic acting methods that best suit their personal needs. THR 127: Movement I. Fall 2015 (Two Sections) Taught two sections of an introduction to movement training for performers course. Addressed general body awareness and expansion of movement capacity using elements of yoga, taiji, and Russian physical culture. Trained actors in the Viewpoints and Composition for the purpose of applying their newly developed movement skills in a performance context. THR 321: Intermediate Acting. Fall 2015, Spring 2016 Taught realist script based acting. Using both Stanislavsky and Michael Chekhov as a basis for script analysis and character creation. Focused on helping students find the tools and approaches within realistic acting methods that best suit their personal needs. THR 427: Advanced Acting. Fall 2015 Taught non-realist acting including both a range of period styles (Elizabethan, Restoration, Greek) and contemporary non-realist performance. The focus of the course was on developing tools to properly research and develop characters within the context of non-realist performance. Used the Suzuki Method of Actor Training to help the students develop a non-realist sense of space, time, and body use. 3 Billew Graduate Teaching Assistant. Bowling Green State University. THFM 2020: Performance Studies I. Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2014, and Spring 2015 Taught an introduction to the concepts, principles, and techniques of performance studies to a class of twenty undergraduates. The class engages with ideas of the performance of identity with a focus on the nature of human communication. Additionally it utilizes a variety of creative performance projects. THFM 2410: Acting Principles. Fall 2011 – Fall 2013 Teach an introduction to Stanislavsky based acting and scene work to (16-18) undergraduate students. The class focuses on action and script analysis as well as scene work, basic movement and voice training. THFM 1410: The Theatre Experience. Fall 2012 – Fall 2013 Taught an introduction to theatre class that includes elements of theatre history, performance and technical practice. The course also introduces basic concepts from theatre theory and performance studies. I taught one section of 33 undergraduates, both major and non-major Assistant Teacher. Bowling Green State University. THFM 3450 Acting: Topics and Applications – Acting in Non-realistic Work. Fall 2011 Assisted Dr. Jonathan Chambers in teaching an upper level acting class focused on non- realist acting and devised theatre processes. Planned and taught a number of class sessions, as well as, coaching groups on their project work. Adjunct Faculty. 2006- 2008. Virginia Commonwealth University. THEA 361/362: Directing Fall 2007 – Spring 2008 Taught undergraduate directing to a group of twelve student directors in the BFA program. Engaged with both directing technique and theory culminating in a student directed one-act play festival, for which I oversaw production. THEA 491: Topics in Undergraduate Directing. Fall 2007 – Spring 2008 Supplementary course to the above course contained a group of eight to ten BFA actors who served as in class support for the directing students. These students were introduced to the fundamentals of directing by participating in the various projects of the students in the other class. THEA 108: Introduction to Stage Performance. Spring 2007 Taught a general education course in acting to a diverse population of twenty students. Focused on elements of Stanislavsky based acting, as well as, introductory movement and voice work. Emphasized scene and monologue work. SPCH 121: Effective Speech. Fall 2006 Instructed twenty students from across various departments of the university in the fundamentals of public speaking. Focused on elements of making a logical argument, and methods of effectively presenting opinions in a variety of settings. Teaching Assistant. Virginia Commonwealth University. THEA 103: Stagecraft. Spring 2008 Assisted in the instruction of basic set construction including tool use, and safety for two sections of twenty students each. Organized and supervised teams of students as they constructed sets. THEA 211/212: Introduction to Drama. Spring 2007 – Fall 2008 Taught a section each semester of twenty undergraduate students basic elements of script analysis. Lead discussions of assigned plays. Taught the basics of written and oral communication. Administered and graded various tests and quizzes. 4 Billew Substitute Teacher. Virginia Commonwealth University THEA 114 Acting I. Spring 2007 Taught freshman BFA track acting for a full month and at occasional other times to a class of twenty students. Worked on basics of the Suzuki Method and Stanislavsky based approaches. Coached actors in scene and monologue work in preparation for assessment and cattle call auditions