DRAMA 252: Advanced Acting: Classical Scene Study Syllabus

Spring 2012

 

Instructor:      Karen Jo Fairbrook

E-mail:           kfairbro@bellevuecollege.edu              

Phone:          425- 564-2719         

Office location:       E-121

Office Hours:           Monday & Wednesday @ 3:00 – 4:00 and as Arranged

Course Information

Course Outcomes

  • This is the second quarter of the acting series for the advanced student actor.
  • Understand, interpret and analyze a script, scene and role in order to take that character from the printed page to the theatrical stage.
  • Work on the ability to intellectually confront a script with the tools of research, analysis and conceptual thinking.
  • Work on the knowledge of a character’s objective as center of the acting process.
  • Work on the capacity to imagine within the given circumstances of the script as well as beyond them.
  • Work on the physicality needed to render and project a character physically varied from the actor’s own.
  • Work on the physical attributes needed to keep healthy in an atmosphere of intense physical, mental and emotional work.
  • Learn to honor both interpretation as well as creation.
  • Focus on the art and craft of solo performance.

How Outcomes will be met

Plays from a variety of classical time periods will be read. Acting texts are used along with a variety of acting exercises. Warm-ups and focus exercises are used each class. Research tools are investigated to help understand the culture of the play, playwright and characters. Background paperwork and character autobiographies are written and handed in. Scenes are assigned, lines are memorized, worked on in class and presented with props and rehearsal clothing. The focus on this second quarter of the advanced acting series is on personal power on stage, storytelling, classical style requirements and the minimization of personal habits while truthfully pursuing objectives and fully Talking & Listening . Scenes and monologues from Greek,Roman, Elizabethan, Moliere and Victorian/ early Modern plays are used.

--ASSIGNMENTS:  Please note: All assignments need to be done on time or your grade will lower. There will be in-class exercises, and some script homework assigned in preparation for Monologue & Scene presentations. Lines need to be memorized when due and you will rehearse with your scene partner for several hours outside of class. Everyone will lead Warm-Ups  during the quarter. Scenes & Final will include written & performance activities.  You will write a Review Paper on the acting you observe in the BC play you see. You will do 1-2 Monologues and 4-5 short scenes this quarter.

 

--JOURNAL:  Keep a DETAILED  DAILY class journal of what we do in class chronicling your reactions to the exercises, observations and things you learn by watching others, and a chronology of what you find helpful. This will be your own acting text detailing processes that work for you – and things you don’t understand or need to work on. Only I will read it at the end of the quarter. This is not a “personal” diary.

 

--PRODUCTIONS:  You must see “SPRING AWAKENING” being done here @ BC in Stop Gap Theatre: Buy your tickets in advance @ www.brownpapertickets.com   *You will write a 2-3 page Critique* Play dates:

 May 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, June 2 @ 7:30pm; June 1 @ 9:30pm  *  Ticket Price: $10 students / $12 general   

{NOTE:      Auditions for Summer Quarter’s musical ONCE UPON A MATTRESS  will be later this quarter.}

 

Our StageFright production of The SHADOWBOX plays:  April 12, 13, 14 @ 7:30pm  *  All Tickets At Door: $5

Everyone is very highly encouraged to attend and will get extra credit for attendance/review of production

 

ESPRESSO ~ an evening open mic/variety show all students can participate in plays: June 9 @ 7:30pm

 

 

Grading

Grading Breakdown:

Participation/Attendance/Prep. . . . 15%

Greek    Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5%

Greek    Paperwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%

Roman  Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5%

Roman  Paperwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%

Elizabethan Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5%

Elizabethan Paperwork . . . . . . . . . . 5%

Moliere Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5%

Moliere Paperwork . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . 5%

Victorian  Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5%

Victorian  Paperwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%

Bonus  Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5%

Final: Scene Presentations . . . . . . . . 20%

Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     5%

BC play Acting Review . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%

 

Books and Materials Required

Seagull Reader: Plays  – Kelly

YOU SHOULD BRING THIS TO CLASS EVERY DAY UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISE! We will be working a lot with various plays in this anthology and you will need it handy.

 

Final Exam Schedule

Our FINAL SCENE PRESENTATION takes place: WEDNESDAY June 13th @ 1:30 – 3:20 pm

 

Classroom Learning Atmosphere

Instructor’s Expectation

In order to understand and experience the answer to “How do I Hone my Acting Skills?”, you will participate in exercises; learn craft techniques; hone your imagination and sensory skills; use objectives, actions and obstacles; play games and improvise; work alone on a Monologue and with Scene Partners as you explore connection, Talking & Listening, and personal power. All of this requires a willingness to take some risks, use your common sense, find your sense of bravery ~ and PLAY! Having an open attitude and willingness to “jump in” are key to success and having a great deal of FUN !

 

--ATTENDANCE / PARTICIPATION / PREPARATION:   is crucial & attendance will be taken every day - this is a participatory class. Absences curtail your learning and affect your scene partners adversely. If you are late you will be marked “tardy” – habitual tardiness is a class disruption. Three “tardies” equal one “absent”. Five “absences” will cause your final grade to automatically be lowered one whole grade. Eight  “absences” causes failing the class. Let me know ahead of time (email or leave a voice message) if you know you will be missing a particular class for an excusable reason (illness, emergency, or school-related conflict)!

 

Be prepared and ready to participate each day in comfortable clothes & shoes you can easily

move in. Read assigned material by the due dates and turn in assignments on time or you will

not get full credit. Have props & items when needed for class ready.  Particularly important is

being a good “partner” when working with a fellow actor. If you do not attend or are not prepared

for class activities –  you leave your partner incapacitated and unable to fully participate which is

extremely rude and unfair!

Be sure to have all CELL PHONES turned OFF before class! I will take phones away and

return them after class if they ring or you are caught texting during class.  This includes using

laptops during class unless approved for a specific project or reason.

You are welcome to bring water, but please refrain from eating & drinking during class – and

particularly no gum chewing as these get in the way of our exercises.

 

Mutual respect and understanding that we all have different views and tastes is paramount in

our class. Diversity and a variety of points-of-view are the norm . . . there is very little “right or

wrong” in our discussions. We can learn a great deal from each other and when applicable:

agree to disagree! Every single student MUST feel safe and welcome to express themself in

this class. I will be a stickler and very proactive about this! Those of us who participate in

theatre are accustomed to “taking risks” – this is a safe place to do so! Absolutely no

name-calling, slurs or prejudicial talk will be tolerated.  BE SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER!!!!

 

It is the expectation of the instructor that as college students you are prepared to investigate and perform adult material. This is the kind of material that you will find at the university, semi-professional and professional level. This material may challenge your politics, culture, beliefs and personal comfort.  Let it.  At any time you are uncomfortable in the class or with the material, please see me immediately in class or in my office.

 

 

Affirmation of Inclusion

Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination.

We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect.

 

Student Code

“Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting

the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of

Conduct at Bellevue College.  Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking

out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and

inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates.  The instructor can refer any violation of the

Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension

from Bellevue College.  Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the

Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services.”  The Student

Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp

 

 

Division Statements

At Bellevue College Drama Classes are housed in the Theatre Arts Department within the Arts and Humanities Division.

Please look at the following pages.  You will find good information about ways to succeed as a student in Arts and Humanities classes at Bellevue College. 

http://bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/AHGdlns-StdntGrwth.htm

http://bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/policy.html

Important Links

Bellevue College E-mail and access to MyBC

All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail account.  You must use this email in this class.

Your student network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network and log in to MyBC. To create your account, go to:  https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam.

BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Computing Services website.

 

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon as possible.

 

If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.

The DRC office is located in B 132 or you can call our reception desk at 425.564.2498.  Deaf students can reach us by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110.   Please visit our website for application information into our program at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc

Public Safety

The Bellevue College (BC) Public Safety Department’s well trained and courteous non-commissioned staff provides personal safety, security, crime prevention, preliminary investigations, and other services to the campus community, 24 hours per day,7 days per week.  Their phone number is 425.564.2400.  The Public Safety website is your one-stop resource for campus emergency preparedness information, campus closure announcements and critical information in the event of an emergency. Public Safety is located in K100 and on the web at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/

 

Academic Calendar

The Bellevue College Academic Calendar is separated into two calendars. They provide information about holidays, closures and important enrollment dates such as the finals schedule.

 

 

Course Calendar

(Our daily / weekly class calendar is subject to change ~ I will inform you of revisions.)

~ CLASS WILL USUALLY MEET IN EITHER STOP GAP or CARLSON ~

We may go over to N208 to watch videos from time to time but always meet in E-lobby first

 

 

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

1

APRIL 2

Welcome.

Go over syllabus.

Overview of Class.

Personal Habits/Isms

3

Warm-ups

 Hello Greeks

Read OEDIPUS

(bring book)          

4       Greek Week

         Mask work

Get SCENES to work on

         Watch videos         

5    Greek Week

Work on scenes

 

Research

  Assignment given

2

9  Greek work

  

Work on Scenes/

Blocking

10  Greek scene

    Work & share

Research found.

MEMORIZED!!

11   Roman Days

Hello Romans

Read LYSISTRATA

Get SCENES to work on

12   Roman Days

       Mask Work

Work on Scenes

Research Ass. given

3

16  Revist Greek

      Work on Roman

Blocking & Connection

17  Roman

Scene Work

18  Roman Scene Work

MEMORIZED!!!!

Share Roman research

19  FIRST SHOW

Greek & Roman

  Scenes

Show paperwork

 4

23  Hello Elizabethans

Get SCENES to work on

Read HAMLET

24  Shakespeare

work

Research assign

given

25   Shakes scene work

 Blocking & Connection

26  Shakes Scene work

 

Share Shakes research

5

30   Shakes scene  work

 

MEMORIZED!!

May 1

Hello Moliere

Read MOLIERE play

Get SCENES to work on

Research assign  given

2

Shakes scene work

3  FIRST SHOW

Shakespeare

Scenes

Show paperwork

6

7   Moliere scene

work & physical

explorations

8  Moliere scene work ~ Share research

 

9  Moliere scene

work  Blocking & Connections

10  Revisit GREEK

& ROMAN Scenes

 

7

14  Moliere

Scene work

 

MEMORIZED!!

15   Hello Victorians

Read Importance of

Being Earnest

Get SCENES & research assignments

16

Moliere scene work

17  FIRST SHOW

Moliere Scenes

Show paperwork

8

21  Earnest scene work

Share research

 

22

Earnest scene work

 +British RP Dialect

23

Earnest Blocking & Connections

24

Revisit Shakespeare scenes

9

28

NO CLASS

Memorial Day

29  Earnest Scene work = Timing & Manners & physicality

MEMORIZED!!

30

Earnest scene work

With props

31  FIRST SHOW

Earnest Scenes

Show paperwork

 

10

June 4

Possible Bonus Scene introduce

5  Bonus scene work

 

Revisit Moliere Scenes

Show paperwork

6

Work on Group scenes

7  Run thru all scenes with props & necessary

Costume pieces

11

11 Run all SCENES

 in order w/props

& costumes

Adding in transitions =

TIMING  ALL

12   Work day for scenes in need

of extra attention /

 

Wrap up of class

June 13

FINAL:  1:30 – 3:20

Scene & Monologue

Presentations

All Paperwork Due

14

 

 

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expansion

So, this is how I know if you have read all the way to the end or not! These are the easiest extra points to earn because all you have to do is bring me back a piece of paper on Tuesday telling me the following information,

starting with YOUR name and Bellevue College email address at the top of the page:

 

1)     What are MY name, email & phone info, and office location?

2)     Where will we usually have class and where should we meet daily?

3)     What is the book you need to have for the quarter? How often do you bring it to class?

4)     What play must you attend at BC this quarter? How many pages is your Review to be?

5)     What can you do to be well-prepared for class? What should you NOT do in class?

6)     What happens to cell phones if they ring or you are caught texting during class?

7)     What will I be a stickler about?

8)     Why is attendance so important when we are working on partner activities?

9)     When is our FINAL scheduled to take place?

10)  Journal? Say what? How often should you make entries? Describe what I am looking for here.