Chabot College
Fall 2009
Course Outline for Theater Arts 6
ADVANCED IMPROVISATION AND MOVEMENT FOR ACTORS
Catalog Description:
6 – ADVANCED IMPROVISATION AND MOVEMENT FOR ACTORS
3 units
Builds on skills that have been introduced in beginning improvisation or acting courses. Focus is
on development of character and story telling through physical expression. Improving an actor’s
ability to make bold, interesting and specific physical choices. Prerequisite: THTR 1 or THTR 3 or
THTR 5 or THTR 30 or THTR 47 or the equivalent .
3 hours lecture, 1 hour laboratory.
[Typical contact hours: lecture 52.5, laboratory17.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
Theater 1, Theater 3, Theater 5, Theater 30 or Theater 47
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
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Demonstrate strong understanding of techniques and principles of improvisation;
Demonstrate strong understanding of use of body for purpose of creating character and
story telling;
Have performed in improvisation exercises, warm-ups, and technique work;
Perform in improvisational scenes in front of an audience;
Create scenes based on use of physicality for story telling;
Build masks for use in creating characters;
Create physically interesting characters through use of masks;
Work individually, with a partner, and with groups in the process of rehearsing and
performing improvisational games and exercises;
Critically evaluate the improvisational and physical work of other students and other
actors.
Course Content:
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Improvisations and Theater Games
Exercises
a. Relaxation
b. Body awareness and movement
c. Silent scenes emphasizing physical expression.
d. Development of individual creativity and imagination
e. Development of group/partner awareness and creativity
Improvisation Theory and Technique
a. Creation of character
b. Saying “yes” to given circumstances
c. Working with suggestions from an audience
d. Believability and truthfulness
e. “In the moment” presence
f. Listening and reacting
g. Relationships
h. Concentration and focus
i. Commitment and energy
j. Physical life and stage movement
k. Status
Improvisation Preparation
Chabot College
Course Outline for Theater Arts 6, Page 2
Fall 2009
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a. Character
b. Rules of Improvisation games
c. Rehearsals with partners and groups, in and out of class
Scene development
a. Creation of scenes focused on physical expression
b. Creation of scenes based on characters inherent in expression of given mask.
c. Improvise scenes leading to fully realized characters and stories.
Mask building
a. Build masks
b. Paint masks
c. Study masks for character possibilities
Scene and improvisation work with masks
a. making body support expression of the mask
b. scenes dictated by expression of mask
c. Inanimate objects as masks.
d. Shift in stature based on mask
Improvisation Presentation
a. Performing improvisations before the class and instructor
b. Feedback and coaching from instructor
c. Multiple presentations of improvisation after feedback
Methods of Presentation:
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Student participation in warm up exercises, improvisation exercises and games
Lectures, demonstrations and discussions on improvisation theories and techniques
Lectures, demonstrations and discussions on movement theories and techniques
In-class and outside-of-class rehearsal of improvisation games, with as much coaching
and guidance by the instructor as possible
Prepared performances of improvisation games and characters. Evaluation and critique
of this performance work by instructor
Viewing and analyzing work of professional improvisers on video and live.
Reading from textbooks or handouts
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
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Typical Assignments
a. Go to a public place and observe people, write character studies for preparation for
presentation in class
b. Presenting improvisation based on games that have been rehearsed with partners or
groups outside of class
c. Write a review of a live theatrical performance, with particular attention given to
critique spontaneity and commitment of performers
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Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Grading of prepared improvisation games, based on the objective quality of the work
and the amount of improvement and growth shown by student.
b. Grading of character creation and research
c. Grading of mask creation
d. Judgment of participation in class improvisations, discussions and technique work
e. Grades should be assigned and communicated as soon as possible after prepared
work is done. Participation grade should be made known to student at least once in
the middle of the semester.
f. Final examination of project.
Chabot College
Course Outline for Theater Arts 6, Page 3
Fall 2009
Textbook(s) Typical:
Group Improvisation: The Manual of Ensemble Improv Games by Peter Gwinn
Published by: Meriwether Publishing. 2003
This is the authoritative source for this course.
Special Student Materials:
Handouts provided by instructor
G:\Curriculum2007\Theater Arts 3
DZ Revised: 9/18/07
12-10-08 cp