SPRING 2014, 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.
Although this is a performance-based course, reading, research, writing, and participation in class
discussions are equally integral to your learning. This course is experiential and attendance is mandatory.
Unexcused absences, either full or partial, will result in a lower grade.
Course Topics:
1. The willingness muscle
2. Opening the instrument: claiming new expressive territory
3. Understanding story: Drama is CONFLICT
4. Styles of acting
5. Circumstances, real and imaginary
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 of varying lengths.
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.
6. Assess the style of an acting performance, citing specific acting techniques as evidence.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance to all classes is mandatory. Missed class time cannot be made up and will result in fewer
points for class activities and discussions. There will be no extra credit offered. Unexcused absences
may result in an “F” for the course. Furthermore, continual tardiness will also result in missed
participation points and therefore 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.
Attire and equipment:
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.
No food, gum or drink (other than a closed container of water) will be allowed in class.
All written assignments for this course are to be typed in black ink, size 12 font or smaller, no more
than 1½ spaced. Late assignments will be accepted at the next class meeting only, and for a maximum
of half credit. Indent each paragraph and at the top of the page state your name, class, and title of
assignment (e.g. Reflection Paper #5).
Syllabus Quiz:
Please read the entire syllabus. Type out the answers to the questions on page three and hand in on
Thursday, January 30th.
Script Responses (5 total):
You are required to read the plays listed below. In a one-page, bullet-point paper: identify the plot in
three sentences, describe the main character’s journey in relationship to struggle/problem, briefly describe
the role of each character, and identify the play’s main themes. Script responses will be due on Thursdays.
Required texts (available at the SDSU Bookstore):
1. Reasons to be Pretty by Neil LaBute
2. A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
3. Spinning into Butter by Rebecca Gilman
4. Urinetown by Hollmann and Kotis
5. Stop Kiss by Diana Son
Activities and Discussions:
Students are responsible for articulated comprehension of the exercise material and a demonstrated
ability to perform it. Students are expected to fully participate in all class activities and discussions. Your
active and focused participation is required in every class, especially when observing others work.
Attention to and support of your fellow classmates is a crucial component to class participation. Like
theatre itself, this class is a collaborative process.
Weekly Reflections (13 total):
Reflections are an opportunity for you to chronicle and explore the work from class. Please refrain
from commenting on the teacher in your Reflections, you will have the opportunity to do so later in the
official course evaluation. You should write about the class exercises and discussions, what their
purposes were and how they affected you and/or your classmates.
TAKE NOTES, but do not simply record the events of each class. You may want to think about the
following questions: What did you learn from the exercise or scene work? Did you overcome a particular
acting challenge? Did you identify any new obstacles you need to overcome? What did you observe
about your physical and vocal work? What did you learn from observing your classmates?
Reflections will be collected on Tuesdays and should be approximately one page in length.
Production Quizzes (2 total):
Students are required to see Pal Joey, February 28-March 9, and Jungle Book, April 25-May 4, and
will be quizzed on the content of these unique productions (not the published scripts).
Scene Work:
Students will perform memorized scenes using appropriate clothing and props. For each scene,
students will select a partner and together they will choose a short (2-3 minute), dramatic scene from a
play of contemporary realism. Text analysis and imagination work are homework: students are expected
to rehearse outside of class.
Responsibilities for scene work:
1. Materials for scene work (text, clothing and props) will be provided by the students.
2. Read the entire play when working on text and memorize the text exactly as it is written.
3. Establish codes of conduct for the rehearsal process, i.e. physical contact, means of
communication and game planning. DO NOT DIRECT EACH OTHER.
4. Upon first showing, please provide the instructor with one clean copy of the scene with title and
author written at the top.
Final Scene Presentation:
The final presentation of scenes will be assessed according to three categories: memorization,
character development, connection to other. These categories will be defined and explored through
rigorous practice over the course of the semester.
Standard grading along a 100-point scale applies and is broken down as follows:
Syllabus Quiz
2 points
Script Responses
15 points
Activities and Discussions
50 points
Weekly Reflections
13 points
Production Quizzes
5 points
Scene Work
10 points
Final Scene Presentation
5 points
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
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 grades?
4. What if I have to miss class for work, is that excused?
5. Are hand-written or emailed assignments accepted?
6. Is coffee allowed in class?
7. How long are late assignments accepted?
8. How many points is a late assignment potentially worth?
9. Can I wear flip-flops to class?
10. When is the final for this class?
11. PLEASE PROVIDE A WORKING EMAIL ADDRESS
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.
Week 1:
1/23 Introduction to Acting I
Week 2:
1/28 GENERAL AUDITIONS – NO CLASS.
1/30 SYLLABUS QUIZ DUE
Week 3:
2/4
2/6
Reflection Paper #1 Due.
Week 4:
2/11 Reflection Paper #2 Due
2/13 Script Response #1 Due
Week 5:
2/18 Reflection Paper #3 Due
2/20
Week 6:
2/25 Reflection Paper #4 Due
2/27
Week 7:
3/4
3/6
Week 8:
3/11 Reflection Paper #6 Due. PAL JOEY QUIZ
3/13
Week 9:
3/18 Reflection Paper #7 Due
3/20
Week 10:
3/25 Reflection Paper #8 Due
3/27 We DO have class today. Script Response #3 Due
Reflection Paper #5 Due
Script Response #2 Due
4/1
4/3
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Week 11:
4/8
4/9
Reflection Paper #9 Due.
Week 12:
4/15 Reflection Paper #10 Due
4/17 Script Response #4 Due
Week 13:
4/22 Reflection Paper #11 Due
4/24
Week 14:
4/29 Reflection Paper #12 Due
5/1
Week 15:
5/6
5/8
FINAL:
5/13 Final Scene Performances, 10:30-12:30
Reflection Paper #13 Due. JUNGLE BOOK QUIZ
Script Response #5 Due