DRAMA 151: Basic Acting Fundamentals Syllabus
Winter 2012
Instructor:
Karen Jo Fairbrook
E-mail:
Phone: 425- 564-2719
Office
location: E-121 (
Office
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays @
1:00 – 2:00pm and as Arranged
Course
Information
Course Outcomes
1)
Know a variety of
warm ups for rehearsal, performance, presentation or interview.
2)
Maintain
concentration onstage.
3)
Identify a
character's objective, actions and obstacle.
4)
Apply knowledge
of acting technique to a monologue.
5)
Connect with a
scene partner onstage.
6)
Analyze the job
of the actor.
7)
Comprehend the
emotional, physical and vocal tools available for further study.
How Outcomes will be met
--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 once during the quarter. Be prepared for a couple of Quizzes
based on the textbook & lectures. Midterm
& Final will include written & performance activities. You will write a Review Paper on the
acting you observe in the BC play you see this term. You will each do one
Monologue and one two- person scene this quarter. We will read and use material
from our textbooks, “ACTING IS BELIEVING” & “ACTIONS: The Actor’s Thesaurus”.
--JOURNAL: You will keep a 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. It will be handed in to me at
the end of the quarter. Only I will read it.
--PRODUCTIONS: You must see “The FOREIGNER” being done here @ BC in Carlson Theatre:
Buy your tickets in advance @ www.brownpapertickets.com
*You will write a 2-3 page
Critique*
Play dates: March
7, 8, 9, 10, @ 7:30pm *
Ticket Price: $10 students / $12 general
{NOTE: Auditions for Spring Quarter’s musical SPRING AWAKENING will be later this quarter.
Our StageFright production of The SHADOWBOX also will
be holding auditions this quarter for performance next quarter
See me if interested!
Everyone interested is encouraged to audition or participate backstage!}
Grading
Grading Breakdown:
Participation.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10%
Preparation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10%
Quiz #1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 10 %
Quiz #2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 10%
Midterm: Monologue Presentation. 10%
Monologue Paperwork . . . .5%
Final: Scene Presentation . . . . . . . .10%
Scene Paperwork . . . . . . . . .
10%
Journal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10%
BC play
Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%
BC play Review . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
5%
Special
Acting Project . . . . . . . . . . . .
5%
EXTRA CREDIT MAY BE AWARDED FOR ATTENDING & CRITIQUING APPROVED LIVE
PLAYS
Books and Materials Required
ACTING
IS BELIEVING (Eleventh Edition) –
Charles McGaw
ACTIONS:
The Actor’s Thesaurus –
Final Exam Schedule
Our FINAL presentations &
FINAL EXAM will take place: THURSDAY
March 22nd @ 9:30 – 11:30 am
http://bellevuecollege.edu/classes/exams
Classroom Learning
Atmosphere
Instructor’s Expectation
In order to understand and experience the answer to
“What is Acting?”, 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 a scene partner(s) on a short
scene as you explore Connection, Talking & Listening, and Inner Monologue.
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 succeeding 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)! Absences will be judged harshly when
working in scene partnerships.
The
most important things you will be graded on will always be effort and
willingness ~ not “talent”.
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 ready when needed for class. 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. Unfortunately, a
few sneaky “during class computer game-players” have made this mandatory. I’ve
been known to answer phones when going off in class J
You are
welcome to bring drinks, but please refrain from eating during class – and
particularly no gum chewing as these
get in the way of our exercises. We can take a short break for you to snack.
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 themselves 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 you will find at the university, semi-professional
& professional level. It 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
We
value our different backgrounds at
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
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
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
Important
Links
Bellevue College E-mail and access to MyBC
All students registered for
classes at
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.
The
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.
· Enrollment Calendar - http://bellevuecollege.edu/enrollment/calendar/deadlines/. On this calendar you will find admissions and registration dates and important dates for withdrawing and receiving tuition refunds.
· College Calendar - http://bellevuecollege.edu/enrollment/calendar/holidays/1011.asp. This calendar gives you the year at a glance and includes college holidays, scheduled closures, quarter end and start dates, and final exam dates.
Division Statements
At
Please look at the following pages.
You will find good information about ways to succeed as a student in
Arts and Humanities classes at
http://bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/AHGdlns-StdntGrwth.htm
http://bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/policy.html
Course Calendar
Our daily / weekly class calendar is
subject to change ~ I will inform you of any revisions.
|
january/ february 2012 |
|
||||||||
|
Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
|
||
|
READ: ch 1, 2 In textbook |
January 2 |
3 Welcome! Introductions & Names “The Game” What is Acting? |
Tour of Theatre Bldg Great Actors Patsy Video |
Paper Bag Exercise Syllabus
questions DUE |
First Stage Fright
Meeting @ 12:30pm in Bldg E theater lobby |
7 |
|||
|
READ: ch 5, 6 & 7 in textbook |
9 Learn Relaxation & Energizing Warm-Ups Pledge Exercise |
“Magic If” Imagination: Machines & Statues |
Theatre Games |
Sensory Perception & Concentration Your Spot |
|
14 |
|||
|
READ: ch 3, 4 in textbook |
16 NO SCHOOL |
Emotional Memory: Bring Object Choose A Monologue |
Objectives Actions & Obstacles |
O/A/O improv Exercises & Action Playing QUIZ #1 |
|
21 |
|||
|
READ: ch 8 in textbook |
23 “Just Talk & Drop In” First READ BRING your MONOLOGUE |
CATCH UP DAY |
Character Interviews/ Inner Monolg |
Character Improvs |
|
28 |
|||
|
READ: ch 9, 12 in textbook |
30 Monologues MEMORIZED! Rope exercise |
31 NO SCHOOL |
February 1 We’re All Animals |
Going BIG CHOOSE Scene Partners |
|
4 |
|||
|
february / march 2012 |
|
|||||||
|
Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
|
|
|
READ: ch 10 in textbook |
6 Given Circumstances AIR & SCHEEP CHOOSE SCENES by
today!!! |
MIDTERM: Monologue Presentation & Paperwork Due |
Monologue Feedback Partner Trust |
BRING SCENES EVERY
DAY Talking & Listening |
|
11 |
||
|
READ: ch 11, 13 in textbook |
13 Talking & Listening |
Contentless Scenes |
Catch up day |
Scene work |
|
18 |
||
|
|
20 NO SCHOOL |
SCENES
MEMORIZED!!!!! Blocking StagePositions Script Scoring |
Subtext & Improvising Scenes |
Doctor IN Character Improvs |
|
25 |
||
|
|
27 CATCH UP DAY |
Going Big & “Grand Opera/Ballet” Beats Building & Topping |
QUIZ #2 Catch up day |
March 1 NO SCHOOL |
|
3 |
||
|
|
5 DUE: Scene Paperwork O/A/O, Letter SCHEEP/Bio Given circs |
SPECIAL ACTING PROJECT |
7 Being SPECIFIC! Drunken Kids 7:30pm The FOREIGNER |
8 SPECIAL ACTING
PROJECT 7:30pm The FOREIGNER |
9 7:30pm The FOREIGNER |
10 7:30pm The FOREIGNER |
||
|
|
12 Individual work on scenes w/ Karen Jo List of props & set due |
Individual work on scenes w/ Karen Jo |
Individual work on scenes w/ Karen Jo |
Preview of all scenes & order run-thru |
|
17 |
||
|
|
19 Wrap-Up & Videos Good/Bad Acting & Peter Brook |
|
|
22 FINAL SCENE Presentations & all class work submitted by 9:30–11:20p |
Have a great break ! |
|
||
Expansion
So, this is how I know if you have read all the way to the end or not! These are the easiest points to earn because all you have to do is bring me back this piece of paper telling me the following information,
starting with YOUR name and
1) What is MY name, email & phone info, and office location?
2) What are the textbooks you need to have for the quarter?
3) What play will you attend at BC this quarter? How many pages is your Review to be?
4) What should you include in your class journal?
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
7) What will I be a stickler about?
8) Why is attendance so important when we are working on partner scenes?
9) When is our FINAL scheduled to take place?
10) When is the first STAGE FRIGHT meeting of the quarter and where is it?