THEATRE 105

FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING I

Patricia Cohill

609-894-9311 x7779

Parker 319M

Office Hours:Monday 1:00-2:00, Tuesday 12:30-1:30, Wednesday 8:30-9:00 & 12:00-12:30, Thursday 12:30-1:30, Friday 9:00-10:00

Advising by Appointment:Monday 9:00-10:00, Tuesday 8:30-9:30

COURSE DESCRIPTION

THR 105 Fundamentals of Acting I3cr.

The fundamentals of acting, with emphasis on theapplication of the principles and theory of creative acting is studied.Exercises in the acting methods and practices of the modern actor.Performance of scenes and exercises from contemporary dramatic literature and from the work of classic playwright is required in class.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the completion of this course students be able to:

Understand and appreciate how observation is an important part of an actor’s work.
Understand and appreciate how physicality is an important part of an actor’s work.
Work with a Shakespearean script.
Create a believable character

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

There are no textbooks required for this class; however, you will be required to purchase they plays from which your performance scenes were taken.Also, as there is journal work in this class, a blank journal or notebook is required.

(Plays can be purchased or ordered at any retail bookstore including on-line at www.amazon.com and www.samuel french.com)

GRADE CALCULATION

Three-Minute Biography 10 pts.

Place Exercise 10 pts

Situation/Prop Exercise10 pts.

Class Participation20 pts.

Final Sonnets15 pts.

Final Monologue15 pts

Final Scenework 20 pts.

Total100 pts

A91-100

B+89-90

B81-88

C+79-80

C71-78

D65-70

Fbelow 65

In addition, THE STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMNETS IN ALL REQUIRED CATAGORIES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A PASSING GRADE.

ATTENDANCE

Records of attendance will be kept.The attendance policy for this class is the policy currently in effect and published by the college.

COURSE OUTLINE

Warm up exercises will change each week and involve working on acting techniques and problems.Be prepared to get up and move around.If you have long hair be prepared to pull it back so you can be seen and heard.Sock and bare feet are not allowed in that theatre so please wear or bring with you shoes that you can move easily in.

ClassIntroductions, Improvisation, Relaxation Exercises, Physical and Vocal Warm-up.

#1Journal Work:Observe someone doing something usually viewed as ordinary, but is really extraordinary.Example:a woman grocery shopping with three young children.(Anything goes!The possibilities are endless!)Come to class prepared to discuss your observation.

Homework:Three minute autobiography.(See Handout)

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#2Sound Ball

Let’s Build a Machine

Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMENT DUE:Three-minute auto-biography

Journal Work: Observe someone in love. Be prepared to discuss your observations.

Homework:Bring in an item that is meaningful to you.Make sure it’ssomething that is small enough to hold in your hands.

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#3Discuss Journal Work

Playing Catch

Mirrors

Tell a partner about your item

Journal Work:Observe someone in an argument.Be prepared to discuss your observations.

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#4Discuss Journal Work

Daydreaming

Sound Ball

Eight Line Scenes

Journal Work:Sit somewhere for about 30 minutes to and hour and write downall that you see and experience.Be specific – colors, sounds, people, the tone of

of the place, etc.Be prepared to discuss you observations.

Homework:Come in with a meaningful piece of poetry, song, literature.

MEMORIZED!Completely imagine a place where you will perform

it.

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#5Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMNET DUE:Perform memorized pieces in imagined places.

Group Juggling

Journal Work:Compliment someone you would usually not talk to.Be prepared to discuss your observation.

Homework:1.Bring in a prop that you are not used to working with.

2. Establish Situation, Relationship, Objectives, Actions.

3. Establish EXACLY where you are.

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#6Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMNET DUE:Perform pieces with and without the new prop.

Group Juggling

Assign Sonnets

Journal Work:Do something nice for someone 1)you and, and 2)you don’t know.

Be prepared to discuss in class.

Homework:Begin Sonnet Work.They donot need to be memorized for the next class.

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#7Discuss Journal Work

Shakespearean Insults

Work on Iambic Pentameter of Sonnets

Journal Work:Describe your happiest moment, in detail, to the best of your

Ability.Where were you?Was anyone else present?How did you feelphysically?Etc.Be prepared to discuss in class, although I do not expect you

to give details if it is too personal.

Homework:Complete Sonnet Work.They MUST be memorized!

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#8Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMNET DUE:Perform Sonnets

Journal Work:Describe your saddest moment, in detail, to the best of your

ability.Where were you?Was anyone else present?How did you feel

physically?Etc.Be prepared to discuss in class, although I do not expect you to

give details if it is too personal.

Homework:Pick out a monologue. They do not need to be memorized

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#9Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMENT DUE:First Read-through Monologues

Journal Work:Describe your most embarrassing moment, in detail to the best of your ability.Where were you?Was anyone present?How did you feel

physically?Etc.Be prepared to discuss in class, although I do not expect you to

give details if it is too personal.

Homework:Prepare monologues.They must be MEMORIZED!

Class Relaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#10Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMENT DUE:Perform monologues.

Assign scene partners.

Journal Work:Describe your most spiritual or supernatural moment, in

detail, to the best of your ability.Where were you?Was anyone else present?

How did you feel physically?Etc.Be prepared to discuss in class, although

I do not expect you to give details if it is too personal.

Homework:Pick out a scene for scene work..

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#11Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMENT DUE:First read through of Scenes

Treasure Hunt

Journal Work:Go out wearing a piece of clothing you would not normally

Wear.Be prepared to discuss in class.

Homework:Prepare for scene work.

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#12Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMENT DUE: Continue Scene work.

Name to Actions

Journal Work:Meet your partner in a public place and do your scene.

Everyone one must discuss in class.

Homework:Prepare for scene work.

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#14Discuss Journal Work

ASSIGNMENT DUE:Continue Scene work.

Journal Work:Buy something at a WaWa or 7-11 as your character.Be prepared to discuss in class.

Homework:Prepare for Final Scene Work –All Groups

ClassRelaxation Exercise, Physical and Vocal Warm-up

#15Discuss Journal Work

FINAL SCENES

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