Fall 2014, THEATRE 110: Fundamentals of Voice for Actors
Adrian Alita, Assistant Professor
Contact: aalita@mail.sdsu.edu
Office: DA-212
Office hours: T/TH 3:30-4:30
Course Description:
In this class we will explore the unique dynamics of your vocal instrument. We seek freedom in your
vocal instrument and an ability to communicate intelligibly both intellectual and emotional information.
Much time will be spent seeking out and releasing habitual physical tension that would otherwise
inhibit fullness of breath, and therefore voice. We will also exercise the articulator muscles necessary for
a wide range of speech possibilities including but not limited to: dialects, accents, impressions and other
character specifics. In addition, we will use various texts to explore and expand the volume, rate, rhythm,
pitch, resonance, and texture abilities of your instrument.
Although this is a performance-based course, reading, research, writing, and participation in class
discussions are equally integral to your learning. Guidelines and vocabulary terms will be provided by the
instructor. All other information concerning the anatomy and production of voice will be researched by
students and will not be covered in class lectures.
Required text: Speaking With Skill, by Dudley Knight
Course Topics:
1. Anatomy of breath, voice & speech
2. Fitzmaurice Voicework (Relaxation, Imagery and Destructuring)
3. Vocal warm up
4. Articulator exercises
5. Projection
6. Vocal techniques: Speech Act, Laban, Improvisation
7. Psychological Realism
By semester’s end, students shall be able to:
1. Identify and label the anatomical components involved in respiration, resonance and articulation
and explain the process of voice production.
2. Correctly demonstrate the Destructuring poses and subsequent relaxation associated with
Fitzmaurice Voicework.
3. Demonstrate both a vocal warm up and an articulator warm up, and recommend exercises which
address specific impediments to clear and expressive speech.
4. Demonstrate control and variety of volume, rate, rhythm, pitch, resonance, and texture of voice and
speech.
5. Apply a variety of technical approaches to a predetermined and memorized body of text.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance to all classes is mandatory. Missed class time cannot be made up and will result in
fewer points from 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
fewer 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. Denim jeans are not recommended. However, it is recommended that you wear
tops that cover past the full length of your torso (from chest to waistline) for stretching purposes.
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
Tuesday, September 2nd.
Anatomy Quiz:
The quiz will cover human anatomy related to breathe, voice and speech. The instructor will provide a
study guide. Subject matter is to be researched by the students. The in-class review will be used to answer
questions presented by the students.
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. 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 week’s activities? 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.
Reflections are worth one point each. While fourteen are assigned, there is a maximum of only thirteen
points available. This means you can miss one reflection paper without consequence. Use it wisely.
Production Quizzes (2 total):
Students are required to see Rabbit Hole and Water by the Spoonful, and will be quizzed on the
content of these unique productions (not the published scripts). Performance dates can be found online.
Monologues (2 total):
Each student must memorize, verbatim, two one-minute long monologues or speeches. Texts must not
be rhymed poetry or any type of song lyrics. Students will recite their monologues in class, in front of
other students.
One monologue must be contemporary; the other monologue must be from one of William
Shakespeare’s plays. Sonnets are not acceptable for this assignment. These texts will be used to explore
“Speech Act” technique, Laban technique, improvisation, and psychological realism.
Monologue Final:
Students will perform their Shakespearean monologues. Performances will be assessed based on the
individual’s ability to incorporate the various skills developed during the course of the semester. These
categories of measurement include: memorization, volume, articulation, variety of pitch, variety of pace,
variety of rhythm, and level of believability.
Standard grading along a 100-point scale applies and is broken down as follows:
Syllabus Quiz
2 points
Activities and Discussions
14 points
Anatomy Quiz
15 points
Weekly Reflections
13 points
Production quizzes
6 points
Warm-up demonstration and quiz 5 points
Destructuring demonstration
5 points
Speech Act demonstration
5 points
Laban demonstration
5 points
Monologue improvisation
10 points
Monologue performance
10 points
Monologue FINAL
10 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.
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is
your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the
receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible.
Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability
cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student
Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
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. How does being absent effect grades?
3. Is there extra credit in this class?
4. Are food or drinks allowed in class?
5. How long are late assignments accepted?
6. How many points is a late assignment potentially worth?
7. Can I wear flip flops to class?
8. When is the final for this class?
9. What are the show dates for Rabbit Hole?
10. What are the show dates for Water by the Spoonful?
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:
08/26 Introduction to Fundamentals of Voice for the Actor
08/28 GENERAL AUDITIONS – NO CLASS.
Week 2:
09/02 Reflection Paper #1 Due. SYLLABUS QUIZ DUE
09/04
Week 3:
09/09 Reflection Paper #2 Due
09/11 STUDENT-LED REVIEW FOR ANATOMY QUIZ
Week 4:
09/16 Reflection Paper #3 Due. ANATOMY QUIZ
09/18
Week 5:
09/23 Reflection Paper #4 Due. CONTEMPORARY MONOLOGUES DUE
09/25
Week 6:
09/30 Reflection Paper #5 Due
10/02
Week 7:
10/07 Reflection Paper #6 Due. PRODUCTION QUIZ: RABBIT HOLE
10/09
Week 8:
10/14 Reflection Paper #7 Due
10/16
Week 9:
10/21 Reflection Paper #8 Due. SHAKESPEAREAN MONOLOGUES DUE
10/23
Week 10:
10/28 Reflection Paper #9 Due
10/30
Week 11:
11/04 Reflection Paper #10 Due
11/06
Week 12:
11/11 VETERAN’S DAY, campus closed
11/13 PRODUCTION QUIZ: WATER BY THE SPOONFUL
Week 13:
11/18 Reflection Paper #11 Due
11/20
Week 14:
11/25 Reflection Paper #12 Due. WE DO HAVE CLASS TODAY!
11/27 THANKSGIVING DAY, no class
Week 15:
12/02 Reflection Paper #13 Due
12/04
Week 16:
12/09 Reflection Paper #14 Due. Last Day of regular class