University of Minnesota Duluth

TH 1111-001 ACTING FUNDAMENTALS I
Fall 2002
 
Associate Professor William E. Payne
Department of Theatre
144 Marshall Performing Arts Center
(218) 726-8597
<wpayne@d.umn.edu>

Office Hours

By Appointment

Class Meeting Time & Place

M.P.A.C. 21
Section 001: Tuesday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Required Textbooks

Acting: The First Six Lessons by Richard Boleslavsky

Humana Festival 2001: The Complete Plays Edited by Tanya Palmer& Amy Wegener

Course Objectives

1. To read, analyze and understand the socio-cultural context of four contemporary plays.
2. To analyze, research and create a character culminating in a final performance.
3. To experience the actors craft through a variety of tasks including; reading and writing assignments, movement/voice workshops and rehearsal and performance.
4. To generate an appreciation of and an interest in theatre at any level (professional, amateur, academic) and promote attendance at live theatre performances.

 

Course Requirements

To successfully complete this course, the student must:

1. Attend class regularly, fully prepared, and participate in the activities of the day.
2. Attend two public play performances and write short reviews of the experience.
3. Read four contemporary plays, complete a quiz and take part in a discussion.
4. Complete three short acting assignments.
5. Complete a Mid-Term and Final Self-Evaluation paper.
6. Perform a Mid Term Scene Presentation and a Final Scene.

 

PLAGIARISM STATEMENT
 Plagiarizing from another text is not allowed under any circumstances. Any student caught plagiarizing will automatically receive a zero on the assignment and their final grade will be dropped one full letter grade.
NOTE
 Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might effect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the quarter. Adaptation of methods, materials or testing may be made as required to provide equitable participation.

 

POINTS BREAKDOWN GRADING SCALE

Points Breakdown
Attendance 10 pts
Two Short Reviews X 7 pts each 14 pts
Four Quizzes X 8 pts each 32 pts
Three Acting Assignments X 8 pts each 24 pts
Mid Term Self-Evaluation Paper 20 pts
Mid-Term Performance - Scene 50 pts
Final Self-Evaluation Paper 20 pts
Final Performance- Scene 70 pts
TOTAL POINTS 240 pts
Grading Scale
A 91% 218 pts
A- 88% 211 pts
B+ 85% 204 pts
B 82% 196 pts
B- 79% 189 pts
C+ 76% 182 pts
C 73% 175 pts
C- 70% 168 pts
D+ 67% 160

D

 64% 153
F   152 and below

ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO LEARN ACTING WITHOUT PARTICIPATION. AFTER FOUR (4) ABSENCES, THE STUDENT'S FINAL GRADE WILL BE DROPPED 1/3 OF ONE FULL LETTER GRADE FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT ABSENCE. ONLY UNDER EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ARRANGEMENTS BE MADE FOR LATE WORK.

 

COURSE CALENDAR

Week #1

9-3 Introduction to the class, distribute syllabus, discuss the next week in preparation for the return of the professor from Chicago/ .Assignment: Read Lessons 1-3 from The First Six Lessons& Play #1 Quake by Melanie Marnich
9-5 No Class, Professor out of town

Week #2

9-10 No Class, Professor out of town
9-12 Discuss syllabus. What is acting?/ Discuss Lessons 1 -3/ Improvisation Exercises/ discuss Memory of Emotion Storytelling Exercise

Week #3

9-17 Memory Of Emotion Storytelling Exercise/ discuss How To Read a Play/ Acting Assignment #1 Due
9-19 Discuss Play #1 Quake by Melanie Marnich/ QUIZ #1/ Begin Mask Workshop/ Assignment: Read Play #2Wonderful World by Richard Dresser

Week #4

9-24 Continue Mask Workshop
9-26 Complete Mask Workshop/ Assignment: Read Lessons 4-6 from The First Six lessons

Week #5

10-1 Discuss Play #2 Wonderful World by Richard Dresser/ QUIZ #2/ Scenes assigned, first meeting with scene partners, discuss rehearsal schedule and Lessons 4-6 from The First Six Lessons
10-3 Scene Rehearsal #1

Week #6

10-8 Scene Rehearsal #1
10-10 Scene Rehearsal #1/ Assignment: Read Play #3 Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage by Jane Martin

Week #7

10-15 Scene Rehearsal #2
10-17 Scene Rehearsal #2

Week #8

10-22 Scene Rehearsal #2
10-24 Discuss Play #3 Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage by Jane Martin/ QUIZ #3/ Discuss Mid Term Presentations

Week #9

10-29 Mid Term Presentations
10-31 Discuss Mid Term Presentations/ Acting Assignment #2/ Mid Term Self Evaluations Due

Week #10

11-5 Scene Rehearsal #3/ Discuss Acting Assignment #3 Character Interviews/ Assignment: Read Play #4Chad Curtiss, Lost Again by Arthur Kopit
11-7 Scene Rehearsal #3

Week #11

11-12 Scene Rehearsal #3
11-14 Scene Rehearsal #3

Week #12

11-19 Discuss Play #4 Chad Curtiss, Lost Again by Arthur Kopit / Quiz #4 / Acting Assignment #2 Due
11-21 Character Interviews

Week #13

11-26 Character Interviews/ Discuss Final Performances
11-28 No Class - Thanksgiving Holiday

Week #14

12-3 Dress Rehearsals with Notes
12-5 Dress Rehearsals with notes

Week #15

12-10 Final Dress Rehearsal
12-12 Final Dress Rehearsal

12-17 12:00-1:50 p.m. Scheduled Final Scene Performances - Final Self Evaluations Due