Chabot College
Fall 2011
Course Outline for Theater Arts 8
AUDITION TECHNIQUE
Catalog Description:
8 – AUDITION TECHNIQUE
3 units
Work on monologues and showcase scenes, cold reading technique. Students
with interest in pursuing acting beyond the community college setting will work on
what it takes to audition for theater, film and four year schools.
Students will be expected to have a headshot taken at their own expense.
3 hours [Typical Contact Hours 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
NONE
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
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demonstrate knowledge in the audition process;
perform classical and contemporary short monologues;
demonstrate ability to give critical feedback to the audition work of others;
demonstrate knowledge in how to create an actor “showcase” for an audience of
directors, agents and casting directors;
demonstrate the ability to find appropriate material for monologue and showcase
auditions;
perform short scenes in a “Showcase” format;
demonstrate the ability to perform “cold-read” auditions;
demonstrate the ability to assemble a Headshot and Resume for the purposes of
auditioning;
demonstrate knowledge and awareness of local theater audition opportunities;
demonstrate knowledge of where theater exists in the United States.
Course Content
Discussion of the audition process.
1.
Study Classical and contemporary monologues
a. Selection of appropriate material.
b. Memorization and rehearsal of chosen pieces.
c. Perform chosen monologues.
d. Feedback from instructor and other students.
2.
Work on short “Showcase” scenes.
a. Selection of appropriate material.
b. Work with partner.
c. Memorization and rehearsal of chosen pieces.
d. Perform chosen scenes.
e. Feed back from instructor and other students.
f. Perform as part of a showcase.
4.
Cold read audition technique
a. Discussion of cold read technique
Chabot College
Course Outline for Theater Arts 8, Page 2
Fall 2011
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b. Read audition scenes from plays
c. Receive criticism from instructor and students.
Develop headshot and resume
a. View examples of headshots and resumes.
b. Create resumes.
c. Get headshots taken by photographer.
Reading of trade publications with audition information.
Study of the various places theater is performed in the United States.
Methods of Presentation:
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Lecture on audition technique.
Demonstration of audition technique.
Lecture and discussion on how to give helpful criticism for audition technique.
Presentation of various resumes and headshots.
Lecture on theater in the Bay Area and in the United States.
Reading from theater publications.
Reading from audition technique books.
Research in looking for appropriate audition materials.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
a. Select a classical and a contemporary monologue from plays or monologue
collections. Read complete plays from which monologues have been selected.
Memorize, rehearse and perform chosen monologues.
b. Find four headshots you think are good, and four that you think are bad. Bring them
to class and explain the choices you have made. Then, based on this information,
find a photographer and have your own headshot made.
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Assessment of prepared monologues and scenes, based on the objective quality of the
work and the amount of improvement and growth shown by student.
b. Assessment of character creation and research.
c. Assessment of participation in class, discussions and technique work.
d. Final Examination in which students present monologs, scenes, headshots and
resumes in a “showcase” performance format.
Textbook(s) Typical:
Audition; Michael Shurtleff 1980 or more recent edition (Although written over 30 years ago,this
is still considered the best book ever written about audition technique for the actor.)
The Faber Book of Monologues; Jane Edwardes 2005
Soliloquy, The Shakespeare Monologues The Women; Michael Earley and Philippa Keil 1988
Soliloquy, The Shakespeare Monologues The Men; Michael Earley and Philippa Keil 1988
(The content of the previous two books are pulled from classic text that does not change with new
editions)
Older textbooks are standards to this discipline
Special Student Materials:
Handouts provided by instructor
Chabot College
Course Outline for Theater Arts 8, Page 2
Fall 2011
G:\Curriculum2010\Theater Arts 8
DZ Revised: 9/18/07