Instructor: C.J. Keith
Fall 2015
Class Times: MTWTF 5:30-9:30
E-mail: keith@mail.sdsu.edu
Office: DA 204
Office hours: call office phone to hear
weekly schedule
Phone: 619-594-4936
THEA 446C - Practicum in Production
School of Theatre, Television, and Film main season production of
SYLVIA by A.R. Gurney
Directed by C.J. Keith
Course Description
This practicum course allows students to directly apply theory and skills from other courses
such as THEA 325 – Script Analysis, THEA 332 – Advanced Acting, and THEA 431 – Improvisation
for the Actor to the production of a fully produced play script. This section of THEA 446 C will
rehearse and perform the play SYLVIA by award-winning playwright A.R. Gurney. The class will
consist of rehearsals beginning with script analysis for action and character, and will explore and
develop compelling and believable characters. Technical and dress rehearsals will introduce sets
costumes, lighting, sound, and projections into the process, culminating in public performances in
SDSU’s Experimental Theatre for a paying audience, post-show analysis, and strike.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course you should be able to:
• Analyze a script for key facts and structures of story and character
• Identify given circumstances, objectives, conflicts and turning points for characters
• Demonstrate memorization of lines and motivated, organic blocking
• Explore and apply vocal, physical, and imagination skills to the creation of a character
• Demonstrate character objectives, conflicts, and tactics
• Perform a believable, engaging character(s) for multiple public performances for an audience
Course Requirements
Participation: Lateness is not tolerated in the professional theatre and will not be tolerated in this
class. You are expected to be warmed-up and ready to work at the beginning of your rehearsal call.
Students must be on time for all costume fittings. Students must be present for all run-throughs,
technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and every performance. Your attendance and active
involvement are essential to the success of this class. Each class meeting involves discussions, text
work, movement work, blocking and staging.
Assignments: You are expected to fully and accurately memorize your lines. Memorization is
considered homework. You will create a written Character Analysis for your character, including all
Given Circumstances found in the play, a detailed discussion of the backstory of your character,
detailed relationship analysis between your character and all other characters in the play, Objectives
and Tactics for each scene, an analysis of the central Conflict, and personal connections that will help
you more fully connect to your character.
Additional Information: The production will be cast from the General Auditions at the beginning of
the semester. Callbacks will help to determine the final casting.
Rehearsals will last from 4-6 weeks and then technical rehearsal weekend to closing matiness and
strike is another two weeks.
Grading: Students will be graded on rehearsal and performance activities. Grading is C/NC.
COURSE SCHEDULE
DATE
CONTENT & ASSIGNMENT
Week One
M
8/17
T
8/18
W
8/19
Th
8/20
F
8/21
Introduction to Course, first read-through
Designers presentations; begin blocking Act I
Continue blocking Act I
Continue blocking Act I
Continue blocking Act I
Week Two
M
8/24
T
8/25
W
8/26
Th
8/27
F
8/28
Continue blocking Act I
Continue blocking Act I
Continue blocking Act I
Work-thru Act I
Begin blocking Act II
Week Three
M
8/31
T
9/1
W
9/2
Th
9/3
F
9/4
Continue blocking Act II
Continue blocking Act II
Continue blocking Act II
Continue blocking Act II
Work-thru Act II
Week Four
M
9/7
T
9/8
W
9/9
Th
9/10
F
9/11
Work Act I
Work Act II
Run Act I, then notes and work
Run Act II, then notes and work
Stumble-thru show
Week Five
M
9/14
Work-thru show
T
W
Th
F
Sa
Su
9/15
9/16
9/17
9/18
9/19
9/20
Run-through
Run-through
Run-through of show, crew present
Light and Sound Levels, Q to Q
Tech #1
Tech #2
Week Six
M
9/21
T
9/22
W
9/23
Th
9/24
F
9/25
Sa
9/26
Su
9/27
Dress/Tech
Dress/Tech
Dress/Tech
Final Dress/Tech
Opening Night Performance #1
Performance #2
Performance #3
Week Seven
M
9/28
T
9/29
W
9/30
Th
10/1
F
10/2
Sa
10/3
Su
10/4
Off
Off/Dark
Performance #4
Performance #5
Performance #6
Performance #7
Performance #8, final performance & strike of show