Principles of Acting – THEA - 176 Monmouth College Fall 2012 T/TH 9:30 am-11:00 am (.5 credit hours) INSTRUCTOR: C.D. Adamson, ABD Office: Wallace Hall, 305 Phone: 309-457-2398 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: MWF 2:00-3:00 pm & T, Th 11:00am – 12:00pm Or by appointment TEXT : A Practical Handbook for the Actor . Melissa Bruder, etc. ISBN: 0-394-74412-8 DESCRIPTION: Continuation of acting skills explored in Beginning Acting. The course will offer emphasis on Stanislavsky’s Method and other theories supporting the performance of psychologically motivated texts. In class exercises, study and application of techniques, development of process, critical analysis of performances, analysis of dramatic action, scene and monologue work, and readings will culminate in the creation of multiple performances throughout the semester. Prerequisite: THEA 175. OBJECTIVES: 1. To develop a foundation of acting skills 2. To develop self-discipline and control 3. To foster understanding of selected acting theories 4. To learn methods of character analysis and determination of intentions 5. To expand personal awareness through exercises and improvisation 6. To develop responsibility, punctuality, cooperation and dedication 7. To appreciate the art and practice of theatrical performance EXPECTATIONS: 1. Wear clothing which will not constrict your movement, and which you can wear doing exercises while lying on the floor. Please refrain from wearing any clothing that would distract your classmates or be inappropriate attire for a classroom setting. 2. Please prepare for class with adequate sleep and nourishment. Not eating/drinking in class. 3. Arrive on time and maintain concentration and energy for the entire class period. 4. Learn and practice the art of constructive feedback. Give feedback honestly, and take it graciously. 5. Respect your fellow artists and our work space. Leave the space clean and tidy after each use. 6. You are responsible for locating your own performance material. Please familiarize yourself with the Theatre Library in the Fine Arts Division Office as well as the Drama section and the Interlibrary Loan Department in the Smith Library. 7. Arrange sufficient rehearsal time outside of class to adequately prepare your presentations. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY : You are expected to complete your own written and solo performance assignments based on your own ideas and creativity. You are expected to be a dependable and exemplary scene partner. Any instance of dishonesty will result in no credit being given for the assignment, and will be reported to the appropriate Dean; a second instance will result in a failing grade for the course. ACADEMIC SUPPORT: TEACHING & LEARNING CENTER: The Teaching and Learning Center offers various resources to assist Monmouth students with their academic success. All programs are FREE to Monmouth students and are here to help you excel academically. Our services are not just for struggling students, but designed to assist all students to get better grades, learn stronger study skills, and be able to academically manage your time here. Visit us at the 2 nd floor of Poling Hall from 8am-4:30pm or on line at http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/academics/support/tlc We can also be reached at: [email protected] or 309-457-2257 We want to help you – it’s COOL to get the help early! DISABILTY SUPPORT SERVICES : Monmouth College wants to help all students be as academically successful as possible. It is the goal of Monmouth College to accommodate students with disabilities pursuant to federal law, state law, and the college’s commitment to equal educational opportunity. Any student with a disability who needs an accommodation should speak with the Teaching and Learning Center. The Teaching and Learning Center is located on the 2 nd floor of Poling Hall, 309-457-2257, or http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/disability-services GRADING : Attitude, Growth, and Participation 34% Performance Presentations 33% Written Work 33% The Grading scale is the standard 90%-A; 80%-B; 70% - C; 60%-D; 59%-F At any point in the semester, you may confer with your instructor on your grade. ATTITUDE: Includes participation in class, support of others, cooperation and responsibility. Willingness to try new things, imaginative preparation, and personal discipline are also assessed. Growth means that your mastery of skills taught increases as the semester progresses. Participation is necessary to develop your skills, so make a commitment to participate to the best of your ability. We do many exercises in class to practice different aspects of acting. We also conduct oral critiques of scene work. Participation also includes appropriate use of rehearsal time outside of class. ATTENDANCE: Attendance in class is mandatory. Participation, discussion and rehearsal are an integral part of this course. You are required to be prepared for and be an active participant in class. After three unexcused absences, your grade will be reduced by one letter grade. (For example, if you have a B, it would become a C.) Three unexcused late arrivals will equal one unexcused absence. Documentation for excused absences will be required. (See Undergraduate Catalogue for appropriate excused absences.) 9 unexcused absences equals an automatic failure of the course. In the event of an excused absence, you remain responsible for: 1) contacting me immediately and 2) all work missed, including rescheduling projects, make-up assignments, etc. All absent students are expected to get proper notes, information, announcements, etc., from class members who were in attendance. Class Participation Class participation is required and is a major portion of your final grade for this course. Class participation means showing up for class ready to work . If you are not feeling well due to illness, please let me know. If you are not feeling well due to lifestyle choices that are within your control, you will more than likely lose participation points for those days. Participation is critical to your success in this course. Just attending class does not constitute full participation points. Participation means paying attention, interacting, contributing to class discussion, volunteering, etc. Please see me if this definition is not clear to you. Assignment Evaluation: The Instructor will provide rubrics on how each student is assessed for performance based assignments in this course. Performances Performances will be graded on an individual basis. Students are responsible for securing copies of your own material. You must have a copy of your material on the day we begin the assignment and turn that copy into the instructor. Points will be deducted from your scene grade if you do not have a copy of the scene on the due date for rehearsals. The first scene is a duet with a partner that you will perform TWICE. The first time you may still utilize your script, etc. as this is considered a graded rehearsal, but it must be evident you have been working on it. The second performance is final with complete memorization and indication of improvement over the first performance. The second performance assignment is two contrasting monologues that you will utilize as a fake audition as your final. There is NO WRITTEN FINAL. This is your final. The monologues must be chosen from PLAYS that have literary merit. YOU MAY NOT USE television, film or stand-up comedy as a resource for this assignment. A copy of the monologues and prior approval must be given to the instructor. For each performance – you will have two chances at it. You’re grade will be an average of the two performances – SO, this does not give you license to “slack off” the first performance. You should shoot for “A” performances on both. Script and Character Analysis Script and character analysis must be based on knowledge of the ENTIRE PLAY, not just the individual scene. Script analysis must be turned in the day of performance and may be subject to review before that day. It is easier to keep up with the script analysis is you work on it as you go. This is an invaluable acting tool. Use it wisely!!! MC Productions You are required to attend both of the GU productions during this semester. BACCHAE October 25, 26, 27, 2012 – 7:30pm By Euripides October 28, 2012 – 2pm Wells Theatre Papers In addition to your script analysis’, you will be assigned a specific significant actor and/or acting instructor that has been extremely influential in the craft. You will research this person and present and 8 to 10 minute presentation on your person. You will be reading FOUR plays of your choosing to be approved by the instructor throughout the semester and providing a written analysis of the play. I will give you a rubric the first day of class on how to do this assignment. The first play, you will simply read and turn in your report. The last three, you will present your play to the class in an 3-5 minute presentation. As indicated above, you will turn in TWO play critiques of the live performances you will be seeing during the semester in addition to these. Finally, you will be doing peer evaluations and a journal throughout the semester. These will be explained. The peer evaluations are your written response to in-class performances. You will take notes during each performance so that you can later type up your thoughts to be turned in as indicated by the instructor. Rehearsals Although some rehearsal time is provided for during class, it is NOT sufficient time to prepare an “A” level performance. Be prepared to work on your assignments outside of class with your partner and/or self. Please respect your partner(s) times and be on time for rehearsals outside of class. If you feel your scene partner is acting irresponsibly or not pulling their weight, please let the instructor know in advance of your performance.