Theatre 130 - Fall 2015
Syllabus and Outline
Class Meetings: Monday & Wednesday
10:00 AM – 11:15 PM
Location: DA 102
Instructor: Randy Reinholz
Office: DA 205
Office Contact: (619) 594-0229
reinholz@mail.sdsu.edu
http://ttf.sdsu.edu/
Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 11:30-12:30, 1:00 - 2:00 or by appointment
Required Texts:
An Actor Prepares by Constantine Stanislavski
ISBN 0-87830-983-7
Six Degrees of Separation by John Guare ISBN 0822210347
Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley
ISBN 9780822202509
The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman ISBN 9780822217800
Speed the Plow by David Mamet
ISBN 0573690812
Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller
ISBN 0140481346
Savage in Limbo by John Patrick Shanley ISBN 082220990X
Stop Kiss by Diana Son
ISBN 9780822217312
Rez Sisters by Tomson Highway
ISBN 092007944X
Proof by David Auburn
ISBN 9780822217824
Two Trains Running by August Wilson
ISBN 0452269296
ALL THEATRE DEPARTMENT STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BUY SEASON TICKETS
FOR THE SDSU PRODUCTION SEASON
Sylvia - September 25 – October 4
Into The Woods - October 30 – November 8
Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights - December 2 - 6
COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES:
An exploration of the self through the “observation
of human behavior and response” coupled with the development of the actor’s imagination as it relates
to basic storytelling skills. An examination of the actor’s role in making compelling Theatre
(communicating ideas & emotions to an audience) realizing that “both the initial idea for a creation and
the work involved in the process of creating spring from a profound urge to find expression for a
particular point of view.1” Students learn a basic understanding of an actor’s vocabulary and task,
through observation exercises, theatre games, improvisation, text analysis, and scene work.
By semester’s end, students shall be able to:
1. Memorize and perform text before a live audience
2. Identify characters’ dramatic struggles within texts.
3. Demonstrate a range of dynamics in relationship to voice and movement.
4. Display plausible behavior in response to imagined scenarios.
5. Illustrate the ability to respond spontaneously to other actors.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. Two unexcused absences will result in the reduction
of the student’s grade by one full letter. Additional unexcused absences may result in the student
receiving a grade of “F” for the course.
1
Challenge For The Actor – Uta Hagen 1991
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2. Lateness: Lateness is not tolerated in the professional Theatre and is likewise unacceptable in
this acting class. Class will start promptly. Actors on performance days are expected to be warmed up
and ready to perform at the beginning of class. Students repeatedly late (twice) can be denied
admittance, and the absence recorded as unexcused. If you expect to miss or be late, please call me
before class.
3. Class Participation: Students are expected to participate fully in all discussions, class
activities, exercises, performance days, out-of-class rehearsals, and SDSU production critiques. This
class functions as an acting company, which can only thrive through mutual trust and support. Please
keep in mind that acting involves risk taking and that it is up to each of us to create the world of
possibility when we are together.
4. Assignments: No late assignments accepted. All assignments must be turned in the day they
are due. Sloppy or illegible handwritten assignments will not be accepted and will result in the grade of
“F” as will assignments not received, ill prepared (exercises, monologues & scene work), or incomplete
(journals & playcards).
Reading Assignments: All assigned texts are to be read by the due date listed in the Course Outline.
Performance Assignments: Performance assignments will be made in class and will include
exercises, open scenes, and final scene work. Performance Assignments cannot be rescheduled.
Assignment dates may be exchanged, but only by agreement of all parties involved and only with the
prior approval of the instructor.
Written Assignments: Described below. Due as noted in the Course Outline:
Playcards: It is required that a student read 9 of the 10 plays listed. (See outline) Identify the play’s
theme, conflict, and action, as well as roles you could play and page numbers for scenes/monologues
you might use on one or two 3x5 cards, along with a brief plot synopsis. Detailed notes should be
kept in your journal. No substitutions from this list for the 9 required plays.
Extra credit will be equal to one half of one letter grade & can only be obtained the following ways:
By reading and writing play cards for 13 plays - including SDSU production texts or by attending
and writing about 3 professional productions. The extra credit is worth one half of a letter grade.
Your Journal: You will keep a journal throughout the course. Purchase a small bound journal with
50-100 pages (or more) to use this as your daily journal or on your computer. The journal will have
three distinct sections - described below:
a. Chronicle and reaction to each day’s work in class - Listed as “Daily Entry #_____” and the
date. This entry should consist of (1) a description of the day’s activities, (2) your thoughts,
notes, and reactions to the activities, and (3) how you can use this day’s work in your acting.
Please include a response to all discussions, warm-ups, activities, exercises, and performances.
Notes taken during class do not count as your daily entry but do belong in your journal.
b. Notes from Stanislavski should be taken and listed under the chapter titles. These will be used
during class discussions.
c. Reactions to and assessments of SDSU Productions - You are required to see all SDSU Powell
and Experimental Theater productions and write a two-page assessment focusing on the acting
performances as they relate to the play’s theme, conflict, and action. These entries should be
listed as follows: The SDSU Production of _____________ and the date.
Page - 2
5. Class activities & discussions. We will perform exercises, improvisation, and scene work in class.
Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in and come prepared to work each day. Participation in
all class activities (including class discussion) is crucial to your progress (and success) in this class.
Final Scenes: Each student will select a scene partner and together they will choose a two-minute
scene from one of the required reading scripts. Students are expected to rehearse outside-of-class.
We will workshop the scenes in class the last five weeks prior to their final performance.
6. Course Grades will be determined as follows:
Class Participation and progress
The Journal (Collected 3 times)
SDSU Production Responses (in Journal)
Playcards
Final Scene
40%
92 -100% = A
18%
83-91% = B
12%
74-82% = C
15%
61-73% = D
15%
60% or below = F
100% Possible
All grades are interdependent on the others -- you will continually build on each assignment.
Please keep up with all readings, playcards, play attendance, and journal responses.
Monday, August 24
Assignments:
Course Outline
First Class Meeting - Introduction to the course
Write Journal Entry #1
Read Chapters 1-6 in An Actor Prepares for the next class meeting
Wednesday, August 26
Actors attend General Auditions August 27 or 28 – Experimental Theatre
Monday, August 31
Discussion:
Assignments:
Acting exercises
Stanislavski 1-6
Write Journal Entry #2
Read Chapters 7-8 in An Actor Prepares for the next class meeting
Wednesday, September 2
Discussion:
Acting exercises
Stanislavski 7-8.
How To Read A Play: Theme, Conflict, & Action
Write Journal Entry #3
Read Chapters 9-10 in An Actor Prepares for the next class
Assignments:
Monday, September 7
Off
Wednesday, September 9
Assignments:
Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #4
Read Play 1. Write playcard for the next class meeting
Stanislavski 9-10
Discussion:
Labor Day
Monday, September 14
Acting exercises
Discussion:
Play 1. The Value of playcards -- How to write them
Assignments
Read Chapters 11-12 in An Actor Prepares for next class
Write Journal Entry #5. Rewrite play cards
Wednesday, September 16
Discussion:
Announcements, Acting exercises
Discuss playcards and possible re-writes if needed
Page - 3
Assignments
Write Journal Entry #6
Read Play 2, Write playcard for the next class meeting
Monday, September 21
Assignments:
Announcements, collect playcards, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #7
Wednesday, September 23
Assignments:
Announcements, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #8, Acting exercises
Read Play 3. Write playcard for the next class meeting
Sylvia – September 25 – October 4
You must see it and write a two-page response for class in journal
Monday, September 28
Assignments:
Announcements, collect playcards, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #9
Read Chapters 13-16 in An Actor Prepares for class
Wednesday, September 30
Discussion:
Assignments:
Announcements, Acting exercises
Play 3, Stanislavski 13-16, Acting exercises
Read Play 4. Write playcard and Write Journal Entry #10
Monday, October 5
Discussion:
Announcements, collect playcards, Acting exercises
The SDSU Production of Sylvia
Turn in paper for Sylvia
Daily Entries 1-9 with Stanislavski Notes for Chapters 1-16
Stanislavski 1-16
Write Journal Entry #11
Collect Journals:
Discussion:
Assignments:
Wednesday, October 7
Discussion,
Assignments:
Announcements, Acting exercises
Play 4, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #12
Read Play 5 Write playcard for the next class meeting
Monday, October 12
Assignments:
Announcements, collect playcards, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #13
Wednesday. October 14
Assignments:
Discussion, Play 5, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #14
Read Play 6. Write playcard for the next class meeting
Monday, October 19
Assignments:
Announcements, collect playcards, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #15
Wednesday, October 21
Discussion:
Assignment:
Choose play for Final Scene
Announcements, Acting exercises, Play 6
Write Journal Entry #16
Read Play 7. Write playcard for the next class meeting
Monday, October 26
Assignments:
Announcements, collect playcards, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #17
Page - 4
Wednesday. October 28
Assignments:
Discussion, Play 7, Acting exercises
Write Journal Entry #18, Read Play 8 Write playcard
Into The Woods – October 30 – November 8
You are required to see it and write a two-page response for class in Journal
Monday, November 2
Assignments:
Announcements, collect playcards, Rehearse scenes
Write Journal Entry #19
Wednesday, November 4
Assignments:
Collect Journals:
Announcements, Rehearse scenes
Write Journal Entry #20, Read Play 9 Write playcard
Daily Entries 1-19
Notes for all reading assignments to date
SDSU Production Responses
Monday, November 9
Discussion:
Announcements, collect playcards, Rehearse scenes
The SDSU Production of Into The Woods
Turn in paper for Into The Woods
Journals returned
Write Journal Entry #21
Assignments:
Wednesday, November 11
OFF VETERANS DAY
Monday, November 16
Assignments:
Collect playcards, Rehearse scenes
Write Journal Entry #22
Wednesday, November 18
Assignments:
Announcements, Rehearse scenes
Write Journal Entry #23
Monday, November 23
Assignments:
Collect playcards, Rehearse scenes
Write Journal Entry #24
Wednesday, November 25
Off Thanksgiving
Monday, November 30
Assignments:
Announcements, Rehearse scenes
Write Journal Entry #25
Wednesday, December 2
Randy Reinholz in New York
Announcements, rehearse scenes
Write Journal Entry #26
Assignments:
Guest teacher in class
Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights – December 2 - 6
You are required to see it and write a two-page response for class in Journal
Monday, December 7
Collect Journals:
Wednesday, December 9
Announcements, Rehearse scenes
Turn in paper for Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights
Daily Entries 1-26
Final Scenes, Present & Rehearse scenes
Page - 5
Monday, December 11
Final meeting - optional
10:30 – 12:30
Meet to return Journals and present remaining scenes
Page - 6