THEATRE 130: Acting I
Adrian Alita, Assistant Professor
Contact: aalita@mail.sdsu.edu
Office: DA-212
Office hours: T/TH 3:30-4:30
Course Description:
This class is an introduction to acting focusing on the development of an individual’s ability to
express thought and emotion through effective use of the voice, body and creative mind. The course
provides the beginning acting student with a foundation of general acting vocabulary, basic
techniques for physical and vocal expression, and development of the actor’s imagination as it relates
to storytelling and communication skills. These fundamental acting concepts may be applied to stage,
camera and voice acting.
In addition to introducing students to the fundamentals of acting, this course also serves to grow
each student’s capacity for thought and compassion. We will seek to empathize, and to explore the
human condition in general while simultaneously revealing our own individual humanity.
Required texts (available at the SDSU Bookstore):
1. The Break of Noon by Neil LaBute
2. A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
3. Urinetown by Hollmann and Kotis
4. Bengal tiger at the Baghdad Zoo by Rajiv Joseph
5. Spinning into Butter by Rebecca Gilman
Course Workload:
ALL WRITTEN WORK MUST BE TYPED AND ON PAPER. DISCS, E-MAIL AND OTHER
ELECTRONIC MEDIA ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Please list your name, class and date of turn in at the top of every written assignment.
Late assignments will be accepted at the next immediate class meeting ONLY, and for half credit.
Script Responses (5 total)
You are required to read the plays listed above. In a one-page, bullet-point paper: identify the
plot in three sentences, describe the main characters’ journeys in relationship to struggle/problem,
briefly describe the role of each character, and identify the play’s main themes.
Production Critiques (3 total)
Students are required to attend all of the School of Theatre, Television, and Film productions
offered this semester and will be quizzed on the content of these unique productions (not the
published scripts).
Class Activities and Discussions
Students will engage in various acting exercises, and are expected to fully participate in all
class activities and discussions. Your active and focused participation is required in every class.
You are also required to be respectful of and attentive to your fellow classmates. Any student
who disrupts the environment of the class will receive an “F” for the day and be asked to leave.
Reflections (14 total)
Reflections are an opportunity for you to further explore your work and notes from class. You
should write about the class exercises and discussions, what their purposes were, and how they
affected you and/or your classmates. You may consider the following questions: What was the point in
doing each day’s activities? Did you grow? Did you see others grow? Did you learn anything new?
Please use appropriate grammar and indent each paragraph.
Reflections will be collected every Tuesday at the beginning of class. Please turn in one typed
page per week. Each reflection is worth one point and must have significant content and be free of
typos and grammatical errors to receive full credit.
Scene Study:
Students will perform one memorized scene from a contemporary, realistic play. Each student
will select a scene partner and together they will choose a short scene. Memorization and rehearsals
are homework: students are expected to do significant work outside of class.
Please provide the instructor with one unmarked copy of the scene with the author and title of
the play written at the top.
Final Exam: Monologue
The final will consist of a memorized monologue, approximately one minute in length, which
would be appropriate for you to use at auditions. These monologues will be performed in front of the
class. Please provide the instructor with an unmarked copy of the monologue with the author and
title written at the top.
Monologue performances will be assessed by each student’s ability to employ the acting process
established over the course of the semester.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance to all classes is mandatory. There will be no extra credit offered. Missed class time
cannot be made up and will result in fewer points from class activities and discussions. Unexcused
absences may result in an “F” for the course. Furthermore, continual tardiness will also result in a
lowered grade.
Please contact the instructor should you need to miss class due to sickness, emergencies or
religious observances. Employment obligations are not a suitable reason to miss class.
Dress Code:
You are advised to dress comfortably so that you have full freedom of movement without being
discourteously exposed. Students must wear close-toed shoes. Failure to dress appropriately will result
in an inability to participate and a grade of “F” for the day. Please be in suitable clothing and shoes, ready
to work, when class begins.
No food, gum or drink (other than a closed container of water) will be allowed in class.
Grading:
Only those students demonstrating extraordinary achievement in both the academic and the
performance requirements of this course will receive the highest marks. Proficiency in only one does
not allow for an elite grade.
Syllabus Quiz
2 points
Script Responses
10 points
Production Quizzes
9 points
Journal / Reflections
14 points
Class Activities and Discussions
45 points
Scene
10 points
Final Exam: Monologue
10 points
SYLLABUS QUIZ
Please turn in a single, typed page with answers to the following questions:
1. What information should be listed at the top of every written assignment?
2. Is there extra credit in this class?
3. How does being absent effect my grade?
4. What if I have to miss class for work, is that excused?
5. Should we take notes during class?
6. When are reflection papers due?
7. How many points is a late assignments worth?
8. How long do you accept late assignments?
9. Can I wear flip-flops to class?
10. Do we have class the Tuesday before Thanksgiving?
Schedule:
Each group of students is unique and a static outline of activities limits the instructor’s ability to
adapt to the needs of the group. Please view this week-by-week breakdown as a guide only, subject to
change at any time.
Week 1: 8/27 Introduction to Acting I
8/29 GENERAL AUDITIONS – NO CLASS
Deliver Syllabus quiz to instructor in Don Powell Theatre between 9:30-3:15
Week 2: 9/3
9/5
Week 3: 9/10 Reflection Paper Due
9/12 Script Response #1 Due
Week 4: 9/17 Reflection Paper Due
9/19
Week 5: 9/24 Reflection Paper Due
9/26
Week 6: 10/1 Reflection Paper Due
10/3 Script Response #2 Due
Week 7: 10/8 Reflection Paper Due
10/10
Week 8: 10/15 Reflection Paper Due
10/17
Week 9: 10/22 Reflection Paper Due
10/24 Script Response #3 Due
Week 10: 10/29 Reflection Paper Due
10/31
Week 11: 11/5 Reflection Paper Due
11/7
Week 12: 11/12 Reflection Paper Due
11/14 Script Response #4 Due
Week 13: 11/19 Reflection Paper Due
11/21
Week 14: 11/26 Reflection Paper Due – WE DO HAVE CLASS
11/28 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Week 15: 12/3 Reflection Paper Due
12/5 Script Response #5 Due
Week 16: 12/10 Reflection Paper Due
FINAL TBD: 12/12 10:30-12:30?? Final Monologue Performance