09
advertisement
09 THE 350- ACTING I Syllabus--Fall 2015 Course: THE 350 Acting I 10061 A 12:00-1:15 TR, Aven 107 (Aven Little Theater) Instructor: Phyllis W. Seawright, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Office: Aven 110A, 925-3453 Email: seawrigh@mc.edu Office Hours: 9:30-11:00 MWF 1:30-4:15 M 1:30-4:15 W Required Material: 1. Acting One/Acting Two, 5th Ed., by Robert Cohen. McGraw-Hill, 2008. ISBN 978-0-07328854-3. 2. a notebook with pockets 3. a beach towel or exercise mat 4. pencils for marking scripts: NO PENS ALLOWED. 5. $10 and 1 free night during the run of our mainstage play this semester. 6. Additional readings as required for essays, projects, or other assignments. For your play analyses, you will use play scripts in print from the library or within reach; DOWNLOADING off the internet is not recommended. Any use of outside resources for writing play analyses or other written assignments is PLAGIARISM. For other ACTING projects or assignments, you may use internet resources, including our Theatre Database under the library’s website. Catalog Description: This course is a basic introduction to play analysis, character analysis and interpretation, movement, and performance. (3 credit hours) Prerequisite: For non-communication majors, there is no prerequisite. For communication majors, Communication 102 is a prerequisite. Portfolio Requirements: There are no requirements currently. However, Communication Majors with a Theatre minor should prepare 2 contrasting monologues. The monologues should be audition material and should be filmed. This video may be required for the COM 499 portfolio in the student’s senior year. Philosophy: By learning how to develop and maintain a character on stage, you will learn more about the function (and purpose) of art. You will also learn more about others, about yourself, and about how to project your best self under stress. That stress may be a good stress (giving a talk in front of a congregation) or a bad stress (mediating a dispute at work). The Bible abounds with rationale and examples for this approach toward acting. 1. "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 19 2. David and Jonathan used acting techniques to survive deadly encounters with Saul. I Samuel 20, 21. 3. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to show them what he had been saying. John 13: 1-17. Rationale: This course explores performance and theatre primarily as an art form but also as a means of communication experienced on a daily basis. This course will provide you with the basic knowledge of theatrical conventions, theatre history, and actual experience that is necessary to participate in the enjoyment of the art form. It will also teach you to recognize and identify dramatic elements in theatre. Course Objectives: The primary objectives of this course are: 1: You will learn methods of relaxation, diction, breath control, and projection, in order to improve your vocal and your physical performance. Strategies: daily class exercises, quizzes, oral presentations 2: You will analyze characters by studying scenes and complete plays. Strategies: oral and written analyses of plays and films by scene and as a whole. 3: You will learn to evaluate acting performances by yourself and by your classmates. You will learn how to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a performer. Strategies: oral / written critiques of live and film performances 4: You will demonstrate ease of performance with modern and selected period styles, alone and with a partner, gaining practical experience in basic acting techniques. Strategy: presentation of monologues and scenes 5: You will identify major periods of acting styles Strategy: readings, discussions, course exam 6: You will gain a working vocabulary of the conventions of theatre. Strategy: course exam, use of terminology in class 7: You will broaden your knowledge of theatre history. Strategy: course exam, class discussion Instructional Procedures/Techniques: Lecture Class discussion Acting exercises Memorization Oral/written critiques of performances and exercises Topics to be covered: evaluating the performers’ strengths and weaknesses establishing goals basic theatre terminology basic stage movement improvisation monologue study scene study scene/character analysis scene rehearsal and performance critical evaluation of performances audition techniques 29 ASSIGNMENTS AND METHODS OF EVALUATION: For written assignments, I will give you a set of guidelines or an example. These handouts will also help you in writing English assignments, so please keep them for future reference. I will grade your written projects on style as well as content. You must use proper grammar; I have taught English too long to overlook obvious errors. You must type all written assignments or you may expect a lower grade. Each paper should have your name, class, and the name of the assignment in the upper left-hand corner of the first page. Papers should be stapled together; no folders, please. For oral presentations, I will also give you specific written guidelines and sample evaluation sheets. For all assignments, both written and performed, late work will be penalized 10 points for EVERY CLASS DAY that it is late. After one week’s tardiness, the assignment will have earned a zero (0). Since this is primarily a performance class, the momentum of the entire class depends on your punctuality and your attendance. If you are ill, you must present documentation upon your return to be allowed to perform for a grade. In addition, I will set up a turnitin.com assignment for all written work, with a week’s open window for uploading your document. Failure to do so within the time frame equals a zero on that assignment. Evaluation: You will be evaluated on the following assignments: 10% Daily work and professional conduct: (1) Preparing one exercise from a chapter for group work in class. (These must be done on the day we cover your assigned chapter. No makeup allowed except with a doctor’s excuse or school-related absence.) (2) Being prepared to rehearse monologues or scenes when called upon. (3) Turning in a GOTE sheet for every performance. (10% of that grade.) (4) Writing an acting resume, to be discussed in class. (5) ATTENDING BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (6) Other readings or exercises as necessary. 10% ***REQUIRED ATTENDANCE for 10%, which includes writing an Acting Review of the show, due one week after the last show: GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!!!!*** ***REQUIRED ATTENDANCE for 10%, plus WRITING a PLAY ANALYSIS for 10%. GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!!!!*** KEEP YOUR PROGRAM, DO NOT RECYCLE IT, OR YOU WILL GET A ZERO. Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Dr. Kristen Johnson Gunn. Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall, Aven Fine Arts Building (upstairs!) September 24-26, 7:00pm September 27 at 2:00pm October 1 & 2, 7:00pm October 3 & 4 at 2:00pm $20 adults/$10 students. For tickets call Dottie Serio at 601.925.3440, email music@mc.edu. Music Department production. (The acting review guidelines will be handed out in class.) 39 10% ***PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT: 1. Play Directing I Fall Scenes, TBA OR 2. Mississippi College Tribal Players Fall Production, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. All shows are in Swor Auditorium in Nelson Hall. Auditions are tentatively set for Sept. 28 & 29 from 3:00-5:00. ***After your show wraps, you will write your own acting review & character analysis. Here are the details for Best Christmas: THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Directed by Sandra Grayson, written by Barbara Robinson Swor Auditorium, Nelson Hall Tuesday, December 1, 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 3 - 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 4 - 10:00 a.m. This crowd favorite has become an annual tradition for school groups and community patrons. Come share the humor and the wonder of a small-town Christmas pageant as seen through the eyes of the children who hear its message for the first time. Tickets: $7 for students, $10 for adults. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are $4 each. One chaperone admitted free for every 10 students in youth groups; bus drivers admitted free. For more information, contact Sandra Grayson at Grayson@mc.edu or call 601-925-3454. 50% Performance work, in-class: Monologues Dialogues [referred to as Scenes in the syllabus] You will prepare a GOTE sheet for each performance (ref. Ch. 8), which you will turn in just before you step on stage to perform your monologue or scene. 10% Written test: Late in the term, after covering essential theories and practices. You will find one scene in a GOOD film (must meet my approval) and analyze the character development and acting technique. 10% Final exam: One cold reading, of my selection, AND one prepared monologue of your choice. (Guidelines TBA for monologues and infomercial) Grading Scale: A = 93-100 exceptional work B = 85-92 above average work C = 78-84 average work D = 71-77 poor work F = below 70 failing work Extra Credit: Extra performances of Shakespeare or other talents outside the regular class time may count as extra credit or as one classroom monologue. Performing a 49 role onstage or backstage in our shows or in the Music Dept.’s production may also count as extra credit. Assisting with a Tribal Player service project can also count: Stewpot Ministries after-school program, St. Richard’s Shakespeare workshop…… ATTENDANCE: I want you to be in class; I want you to get everything you can, and to give everything you can. This is a performance-based studio class. I follow the policies in the college catalog. Missing class penalizes you in many ways: late grades, zero daily grades, etc. Since this class meets twice a week, eight (8) absences will result in failure. I count three tardies as one absence. In addition, every absence after the 3rd absence equals 2 points off your semester average. If you know in advance that you will miss for a school or work activity, please let me know so we can reschedule your performances. And from the administration, “Tuition refund cannot be made on dropped classes after the first week of classes.” Professional Conduct in Daily Work (10% of total semester grade): I regret that I find it necessary to add this punitive category in print. For each of the following infractions, I will deduct 10 points from the 100 points in this category: Failing to notify me and/or your scene partner in advance of illness or school-related absence Tardiness Having a cell phone visible Text messaging Earphones for any sort of electronic device Talking out of turn Nail-clipping Eating Sleeping Using a laptop during class without my permission These penalty points may not be made up through the extra credit policy. Make-up Policy: Students with unexcused absences cannot make up performances. Students with excused absences will be expected to make up performances the day they return to class. Other Policies: If you are a student athlete, please give me advance notice for preparing your grade and attendance reports. I discourage any student from taking an incomplete grade, especially in a performance arts course. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, he or she must schedule an individual meeting with the Director of Student Counseling Services immediately upon recognition of their disability (if their disability is known they must come in before the semester begins or make an appointment immediately upon receipt of their syllabi for the new semester). The student must bring with them written documentation for a medical physician and/or licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If the student has received prior accommodations, they must bring written documentation of those accommodations (example Individualized Education Plan from the school system). Documentation must be current (within 3 years). 59 The student must meet with SCS face-to-face and also attend two (2) additional follow up meetings (one mid semester before or after midterm examinations and the last one at the end of the semester). Please note that the student may also schedule additional meetings as needed for support through SCS as they work with their professor throughout the semester. Note: Students must come in each semester to complete their Individualized Accommodation Plan (example: MC student completes fall semester IAP plan and even if student is a continuing student for the spring semester they must come in again to complete their spring semester IAP plan). Student Counseling Services is located on the 4th floor of Alumni Hall or they may be contacted via email at mbryant@mc.edu . You may also reach them by phone at 601-925-7790. Dr. Morgan Bryant is director of MC Student Counseling Services. Academic Integrity: I expect you to maintain a code of honor to yourself and to God. Why would you cheat yourself of a true theatrical and educational experience? Please follow the policies as outlined in the current Mississippi College Undergraduate Catalog and University Policy 2.19, or I will be forced to penalize you far beyond what either one of us wishes. DISCLAIMER: I reserve the right to modify these policies, syllabus, and assignments as the need arises. SYLLABUS: PREPARATION AND PERFORMANCE What I am laying out for you below is a description of class work, due dates for your monologues and scenes, and performance dates as I know them. I will update you as our schedule develops. READINGS 1. Textbook. You will be required to read all chapters. You will choose exercises from them as well. 2. Plays and additional readings: You will need to find and read the plays from which you draw your monologue(s) and scene(s). 3. Any handouts or additional readings I give you on acting theory. Online Learning Component: In addition to traditional classroom-based learning, this class uses the course management system MCMoodle to facilitate learning online. You have access to MCMoodle by virtue of your enrollment in this course. MCMoodle can be accessed at http://moodle.mc.edu. Your assigned MC email address and password serve as your login information. You are expected to be able to navigate MC Moodle and complete any activities assigned through MCMoodle by the instructor. Tutorials on how to navigate MC Moodle are available on the MCMoodle home page and on the department’s website. You may also contact your instructor for help. Week I-Aug. 27 Introduction and overview: how can you stretch yourself to find new strengths? Review Chapters 1, 2, 8, & 28 Field trip to Gore Art Gallery, searching for inspiration, leading to an original monologue. Art Gallery idee’: We are all storytellers. Find a work of art in any medium, put yourself into it, and tell your new story. 69 Week II— Sept. 1 Sept. 3 Walk through Monologue I + GOTE sheet. I will give you a comic Shakespearean monologue for this assignment. Review Chapters 3, 4 Present rough draft of Original Monologue Perform Original Monologue + GOTE sheet (you may read this from your typed copy) Review Chapters 5, 6 Review Musical Theater techniques & conventions Week III— [Monday, Sept. 7, is Labor Day HOLIDAY!] Sept. 8 Review Chapters 7, 8 Present findings from internet interviews with actors on such shows as Poldark, Downton Abbey, or Sherlock (PBS), Major Crimes (TNT), Blue Bloods (CBS ), or any other Emmy-nominated or –award-winning television show. You are to note how the actors describe their character development, how they work with other actors & directors & creators of their shows. Use a television show, not a film, because the pace of the production is different. Sept. 10 Review Chapter 9 Perform Monologue I, comic Shakespeare Week IV-Sept. 15 Walk through Monologue II, contemporary realism (your choice) Review Chapter 10 [Comm. Dept. Appetizer is today, in ALT, from 5:00-6:00. Come meet your fellow Tribal Players, other Comm. Majors, and talk to Comm. Professors about debate, the Collegian, PRAM, Sports Media, MC TV! ] Sept. 17 Week V– Sept. 22 Sept. 24 Work Monologue II from memory Review Chapter 11 Perform Monologue II, contemporary realism Review Chapter 12 Discuss how to write an acting resume Review Chapter 13 Turn in acting resume Present & walk-through Monologue III, contemporary comedy [Into the Woods runs this weekend!!!] Week VI— [Auditions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are Sept. 28 & 29, 3:00-5:00, tentatively] Sept. 29 Work Monologue III + GOTE sheet Review Chapter 14 79 Oct. 1 Review Chapter 15 Perform Monologue III, contemporary comedy, plus revised GOTE sheet Receive Scene I, my choice for you [Into the Woods runs this weekend too!!!!] Week VII— Oct. 6 Oct. 8 Work Scene I Review Chapter 16 ***Acting Review of Into the Woods is due, in hard copy and on our class Moodle page. Work Scene I again Week VIII— [Fall Break is Oct. 12 & 13.] Oct. 15 Week IX– Oct. 20 Oct. 22 Perform Scene I + GOTE sheet Receive Scene II, my choice Review Chapters 17, 18, & 19 Walk through Scene II Review Chapter 20 [Homecoming is this weekend here at MC; STAY!!!!!] Comm. Dept. Homecoming Reception is Friday at 10:00 a.m. More details TBA, including extra credit….] Week X-Oct. 27 Perform Scene II + GOTE sheet Oct. 29 Review Chapters 21 & 22 Week XI-Nov. 3 Nov. 5 Week XII-Nov. 10 Nov. 12 Week XIII— Nov. 17 Present Monologue IV, your choice of modern tragedy Review Chapter 23 Work Monologue IV Review Chapter 24 Perform Monologue IV + GOTE sheet Review Chapters 25 & 26 Practice techniques for television commercials Work television commercials & Review Chapter 27 89 Nov. 19 Week XIV– Nov. 24 Work television commercials Recap Chapter 28 & assess your journey thus far Receive Take-home test ***Take-home Test due [Nov. 25, 26, 27 are Thanksgiving Holidays] Week XV— [Best Christmas Pageant runs this week!!!!! You will come on to class as soon as you put away props and check out with Ms. Grayson.] Dec. 1 Present a 3-minute report on your film scene plus a 1-minute clip Dec. 3 Discuss Final Exam: Have 5 monologues in hard copy ready to read; we’ll choose 2, then you’ll settle on one to memorize as part of your final exam Week XVI-Dec. 8 Review & prepare for Final Exam: preview your best monologue for us Best Christmas review is due, as a daily grade. STUDY DAY Thursday, Dec. 10 EXAM Sat., Dec. 12, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. One cold reading of my choice, and your best monologue After exams, go home, make a Merry Christmas with family and friends, have a safe and Happy New Year, and come back ready for a Super Spring 2014!
