Chabot College
Fall 2008
Course Outline for Theater Arts 2
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ACTING
Catalog Description:
2 -- Theory and Practice of Acting
3 units
Exploration of the theory and practice of acting, focusing on more complex characterizations
and character analyses. Theatrical styles and period acting with emphasis on monologues
and scenes. Voiceover concepts. Development of critical thinking skills associated with
viewing and analyzing performances of others. Lab hours are required for rehearsal of
scenes and attendance of on campus theater productions. (Formerly THEA 1B)
3 hours lecture, 1 hour laboratory.
[Typical contact hours: lecture 52.5, laboratory 17.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
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execute the basic building blocks of acting: theater games and improvisations;
perform acting exercises that further explore Stanislavsky and naturalism;
perform acting exercises that may include Comedia Del’Arte, Comedy of Manners,
Restoration comedy, Elizabethan drama, and Classical Greek drama;
explain Noh traditions and Kabuki acting styles;
perform vocal exercises that emphasize rhythm and verse drama;
prepare and present scenes;
prepare and present monologues;
offer written or oral critiques of other actors’ work;
revise scenes and/or monologues based on coaching;
execute voiceover exercises such as cold readings and consonant placement.
Course Content:
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Acting basics: theater games and improvisation
Stanislavksy and naturalism
Comedia Del’ Arte, Comedy of Manners, Restoration comedy, Elizabethan Drama, and
Classical Greek Drama
Ritualistic techniques such as Noh Theater and Kabuki Theater
Rhythm and verse drama
Scene preparation and presentation
Monologue preparation and presentation
Critiquing other actors’ work
Scene and/or monologue analysis
Voiceover exercises: cold readings, consonant placement
Methods of Presentation:
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Coaching of scenes and monologues
In-class rehearsals/critiques
Lecture/demonstration/discussion
Chabot College
Course Outline for Theater Arts 2, Page 2
Fall 2008
4.
Film, video, and/or audio-taped examples of students’ scenes for class review
Typical Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Present scenes and monologues
b. Write character analysis
c. Write critiques of other actors’ work
d. Score a Shakespeare text
e. Score a Realistic scene, complete with beats, objectives and obstacles
f. Create effective blocking for scenes and monologues
g. Cold read advertisement copy
2. Methods of evaluating student progress
a. Scenes and monologues
b. Written assignments
c. Student self-evaluation of process and progress
d. Attendance
e. Participation
f. Final exam
Textbooks (Typical):
The Complete Pelican Shakespeare (from the Pelican Shakespeare Series), 2nd edition,
Penguin Books, 2005.
Special Student Materials:
None
RLP g:\Curriculum2008\TheaterArts 2
Revised: 10/1/07