TPP 1100: Acting Fundamentals: Class meets in E-129
Fall 10 Semester; Kathy Byrne Room E-106;
TPP1000.002 &003 395-5310
kathy.byrne@sfcollege.edu
Overview and Course Objectives
This course is designed to give the beginning student of the acting process a foundation
in the essentials of the craft. While the course content is basic, it is some of the most
important information one can learn because it includes the groundwork for much that
will follow. If you, as a student of this work, apply yourself in a focused way, you stand
to learn much- both about the art of acting and about yourself. This art form is
necessarily connected to an exploration of the self. There must be an actor who is acting.
It is not the intention of the course to, in any way, serve the function of group therapy,
but an exploration of the self is part of the process of doing theatre and a certain amount
of reflection will be a necessary part of the journey. It is part of my job as your instructor
to help you negotiate the minefields of doubt and fear that accompany this journey. One
of the most important things you can do to speed your growth in this work is to minimize
judgment- of yourself and others- while doing it. The development of humility and
patience, two of the most important virtues for the beginning actor, will also be of great
benefit. As Konstantin Stanislavsky said: “Love the ART in yourself, not your SELF in
the art.”
Course Description:
TPP1100 ACTING FUNDAMENTALS (3 credits)
TPP1100 introduces the student to a guided investigation of the basic principles and
techniques of acting. TPP1100 is designed for non-theater majors and focuses on the
development of the student as an aware, educated member of the theater, film and
television audience. No prior experience in acting or the theater is required.
Requirements
The performance projects in this course will consist of one monologue and one
scene, each of which will be accompanied by a script and character analysis paper. (see
Performance Project Worksheet) The monologue is required to be 1-3 minutes in length;
the scene 3-5 minutes in length. Both must be cuttings from an existing, published
play (not taken from a screenplay for film or television). This is a theater class!.
You will be asked to keep a journal for the duration of the semester. Twice during the
semester, you will be asked to hand in your journals for progress assessment.
You will also be required to attend two theatre events during the semester in
satisfaction of the * “Cultural Events” requirement, and write a Performance Evaluation
Paper for one of them. (Since you are required to attend the Theatre Santa Fe
production during the semester you are enrolled in this course, this would be a logical
choice for the Performance Evaluation Paper, but you may choose another production
instead). This paper must also be a minimum of 300 words. The Performance
Evaluation Paper must be typewritten.
NOTE: All students must complete the Cultural Events assignment in order to be
eligible for completion of the requirements for this course.
Special Accommodations
If you are a student with a disability: In compliance with Santa Fe Community College
policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic
accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Requests for
academic accommodations must be made during the first week of the semester (except
for unusual circumstances) so arrangements can be made. You must be registered with
the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) in S-229 for disability verification and
determination of reasonable academic accommodations.
Attendance/Participation
Each student is allowed a total of THREE unexcused absences for the semester. It is
expected that all students have chosen to be in this class by virtue of their having enrolled
in it. It is also expected that all students will accept the responsibility of this choice by
attending all classes unless it is physically impossible. Attendance will be taken at the
beginning of every class period. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the
instructor of their presence if the student enters class after the roll has been called;
otherwise the student will be marked absent for that day. Two points will be deducted
from your final grade average in this course for each absence over the three unexcused
absences allowed. A note from a doctor or a court document (for court dates) will
qualify as an excused absence.
NOTE: Students who stop attending class and miss more than two consecutive weeks
prior to the last day to withdraw with a “W” will be dropped from this class and assigned
a “W”.
The last day to withdraw and receive a “W” for this term is: Nov 2 at 4:00 PM
Withdrawal forms are available in R-101.
Quizzes
There will be two quizzes during the semester; one on terminology associated with
blocking, stage directions, and stage geography, the other on theatre space, personnel,
and staging configurations. It is important for the actor to have a working knowledge of
both stage vocabulary and the environments in which one does the work. There will be a
review for each quiz during the class period prior to the scheduled date for it.
Final Exam:
TPP 1100.002: Mon, 12/06/2010: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM E-129
TPP 1100.003: Wed, 12/08/2010: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM E-129
The final exam will include a written and a performance component. The written exam
will consist of a Script and Character Analysis paper, which you will generate for the
scene you have chosen. This document must be a minimum of 300 words in length. The
scene will be performed with a class partner on the scheduled day and time of the final
exam. (See Performance Project Worksheet).
NOTE: The instructor will distribute an “Assignments/Deadlines” sheet during the
first two weeks of class with specific due dates and times for all assignments,
quizzes, tests, and performance projects.
Grade Composition
Performance Evaluation Paper (1)
20%
Quizzes (2- 10% each)
20%
Script and Character Analyses/Projects
15%
Monologue
20%
Final Exam
25%
TOTAL: 100 %
Grading Scale
90-100
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
Below 60
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
F
College academic Integrity Statement
The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of
academic integrity. Therefore SFC has adopted a Code of Student Conduct that outlines
general guidelines. Students are encouraged to discuss issues related to academic
integrity with instructors. For more information go to
http://admin.sfcollege.edu/~rules/PDF/Rule_7/7_23.pdf
It is expected that the student will consider this course an opportunity to develop original
thinking. Cheating or plagiarism on papers and/or quizzes will result in an immediate
failure for the assignment in question and a referral to the Chair of the Fine Arts
Department for possible further disciplinary action.
Office Hours
TUE
THUR
Or by apt
Room:
E-106
12:30-1:00
12:30-1:00
Assignments/Deadlines/Late Work:
All assignments are due on the date given by the instructor. It is the responsibility of the student
to submit the required work or take a test on the specified day and time. If a student is absent on
the day of the deadline it is the responsibility of the student to turn in late work and/or take
the test during the next class period that you attend. It is also the responsibility of the student
to present the work or ask for the test if you have missed it. The grade on a given assignment
will be reduced by one letter grade for each class period following the deadline that it is
late.
Incompletes: The instructor may assign an “I” (incomplete) to students who have successfully
completed at least 75% of the requirements for this course. The remaining requirements must
be completed by the end of the following semester.
Discrimination/Harassment Policy Statement: Santa Fe College prohibits any form of
discrimination or sexual harassment among students, faculty and staff. For further information,
refer to the SFC Human Resources Policies website at
http://admin.sfcollege.edu/~rules/PDF/Rule_2/2_8.pdf.
Important Topics Covered:
Relaxing Tension in the body:
Mindfulness: http://www.sfcollege.edu/mindfulness/
Breathing, Improvisation, Voice & Diction
SUPPLIES:
There is no text for this class because you are required to read two plays for
the work you will be performing in class.
YOU NEED A 3-HOLE FOLDER (Your Theater Journal) WITH LINED
PAPER AND BRADS, POCKETS, 2 SHARPENED PENCILS & A
YELLOW HIGHLIGHTER. I will ask you to provide a few other simple
materials for your memory box and character collage.
I look forward to a great semester and getting to know each of you.
……………Cut along this line…………and return to Prof. Byrne…………………
Please sign, saying, that I, _____________________________________________
(Print your name clearly)
(S.F. I. D. #)
(SIGNATURE)
(DATE)
have read and understand the terms of this syllabus for Acting Fundamentals.