THEA 426
Acting IV: Scene Study
THEA 426. Acting IV: Scene Study
Credit Hours (3).
Prerequisites: THEA 225, 324 or permission of instructor
This is an advanced acting course designed for theatre majors who have taken THEA 225. Through the application of scene work students will continue to develop their individual acting process and craft. Focus will be on modern/contemporary realistic texts, reinforcing rehearsal and performance vocabulary and techniques and deepening ensemble skills.
a. Content:
1. The course will begin with ensemble building games and techniques to emphasize trust and honest communication between participants essential to the success of the course.
2. Focus will be on the preparation and performance of approximately four scenes. Instructor approval of the dramatic material will assure that students will experience a variety of textual styles and playwrights.
3. A variety of rehearsal techniques will be presented, explored, applied and discussed. While not all techniques work for all people, full commitment to exploration is the way to identify what does or does not work.
4. Throughout the course the student will maintain a journal to record the development of their personal process.
5. Periodic discussions will be held based on assigned readings which concern the individual's growth as an artist and craftsperson.
6. Students will read a play a week, and record specific responses to each play in their journal.
7. Previously learned audition techniques will be reinforced and new audition material will be developed and worked.
8. The course will culminate in presentation of a scene and monologue.
1. Hands-on, experiential workshop format facilitated by instructor.
2.A variety of instructional and inspirational readings in the form of handouts will be given to the student (i.e., Uta Hagen, Keith Johnstone, Michael Shurtliff, Konstantin Stanislavski, Anne Bogart, Tadashi Suzuki, David Mamet, et al….)
3. A variety of assigned and chosen scenes which will be a "lab" for applying skills, techniques, craft and inspiration.
4. Reading of plays to build knowledge of the contemporary canon.
5. Journal upkeep which becomes a personal record of growth and learning.
6. Applied lecture by instructor.
7. Application in performance.
8. Requirement of seeing all departmental productions.
9. Development and increase of audition material.
1. To reinforce previous work and moving from a "theoretical" understanding to the personal embodiment of craft and a professional ethic through scene work.
2.To learn, develop, and practice applicable rehearsal and performance techniques and vocabulary.
3. To reach an organic level of honest connection with a role and with one's scene partner, further developing ensemble and partner work.
4. To build unique, three-dimensional characters consistent with the playwright's intent
5. To grow as an actor by recognizing personal acting traps, to take risks, increase range and versatility in performance.
6. To increase knowledge of contemporary canon through consistent reading of plays.
Students will be assessed by:
1. Class attendance and participation.
2. Preparation of performance assignments.
3. Frequent journal checks.
4. A final performed presentation.
None.
Date Action Approved by
September 2005