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Theatre 120

Instructor: Dr. Jay Oney Course Title: Introduction to Acting

Room: Studio Theatre Phone: 294-2128

Class Meetings: M, T, R, F: 12:00 - 12:50 Office Hours: M,T,R,F: 9:00 - 9:50

Objectives:

To acquire a working understanding of the fundamentals of acting, based on the principles of Stanislavski. Included are script analysis, inner truth, the ‘magic if,’ sense and emotional memory, and physicalization.
To acquire a working understanding of stage and rehearsal terminology.
To demonstrate understanding and application of the acting craft through preparation and presentation of several scenes.
To demonstrate awareness of the principles of acting in performance through oral and/or written critique.
To develop awareness of the need for continuous voice and body training for an actor.

Texts:                        Acting Onstage and Off (2nd edition) - Robert Barton
                        An Actor Prepares - Konstantin Stanislavski
                        Building a Character - Konstantin Stanislavski

Policies:
            1)            Attendance is mandatory. Due to the collaborative and interdependent nature of the course, each unexcused                         absence will result in the deduction of 10 points from the final grade.
            2)            All written work will be turned in on time. One letter grade will be deducted for each day the work is late.
            3)            All performances will take place on scheduled days.
            4)            All scenes should be under 5 minutes long; all monologues under 2 minutes.

Grading:

A	180 - 200 points
B	164 - 179 points
C	144 - 163 points
D	130 - 143 points
F	129 or less points

Point Breakdown:

Performance: Written:

In-Class Participation	15 points	Journal	40 points
Scene #1	15 points	5 Response Papers	25 (5 pts each)
Scene #2	15 points	Final	20 points
Monologue #1	15 points	Final Paper20 points
Monologue #2	15 points	Subtotal	105 points
Choice # 3 (Scene or monologue)	20 points
Subtotal	95 points

The informal journal should include your daily reactions and commentary on classwork and exercises. It should also include all script analysis, preparation for scenes and monologues, class notes, and individual observations and criticisms of your own and classmates’ work. Journals will be due every Tuesday during the term.

Response papers will be typed reaction papers to the assigned readings and accompanying handouts. The responses should not exceed 5 pages.

There will be a short answer/multiple choice final during the exam period that covers terminology and concepts we encounter during term.

The final paper will be a more in-depth argument based upon one of your earlier response papers.

SCHEDULE

Week	Topic	Barton, Actor Prepares, Building A Character
Week 1	Relaxation & Awareness	Barton 1-3, Aap 1-2, 6
Week 2 & 3	Intro to Stanislavski	Bart 4, Aap 3-5, 7-10
	All scenes chosen by end of week 3
	Open Scenes
Week 4	Work on Inner Self	Bart 5, Aap 11-16
Week 5	Work on External Self	BAC 1-5
	Scene #1
Week 6	Vocal Awareness	BAC 6-10
	Monologue #1
Week 7	Tempo/Rhythm	BAC 11-12
	Scene #2
Week 8	Rehearsal Etiquette	Bart 6, BAC 13-16
	Monologue #2
Week 9	Rehearsal Process	Bart 7
Week 10	Performance Process
	Performance #3
Week 11	Rehearsals
Week 12	Performances

Final Exam: Tuesday 10 December, 9-11:30 AM

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