University of Minnesota Duluth

TH 3171 ACTING IV
Character Transformation Through Masks
Spring 2001
 
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. 155 Dance Studio

Monday, Friday 3:00-4:50 p.m.

Required Textbooks

Lazzi: The Comic Routines of the Commedia dell'Arte by Mel Gordon

Commedia dell'Arte: An Actor's Handbook by John Rudlin

Course Objectives

1. To enable the advanced acting student to hone the skills needed to work with mime, masks and the physical presentation of character.
2. To explore the process of collective creation and develop improvisational skills.
3. To explore masked performance using classical and contemporary texts that require them.

 

Course Requirements

In order to successfully complete this course the student must:

1. Generate two masked characters, contribute to the collective creation of a performance piece, write a short story concerning one of their characters, perform the characters in an interview improvisation, and complete a final performance of the piece.

2. Prepare a mime piece choreographed to music of 2-3 minutes in length.

3. Accept a role in a scene assigned by the instructor.

4. Attend class regularly, fully prepared for the activities of the day.

This class will involve a workshop focused on the use of masks and the creation of character through physicalization. The major project will be the collective creation of a masked performance piece that will culminate in a public presentation. The student will be expected to develop two masked characters, take part in the collective creation of the performance piece utilizing these characters, and prepare the piece for a public presentation. The characters will be evaluated during a character interview/improvisation. In addition, the student will write a 6-8 page short story involving at least one of their developed characters.

The class will also rehearse and perform classical scenes that require masks and generate a 3-5 minute mime to music piece. The student will be evaluated on their preparedness for class activities, their use of the workshop/ rehearsal process, the development of their characterizations, the imagination, effectiveness, and relevance of their written work, and the quality of their performances.

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

Grading Scale
A 91% 159 pts
A- 88% 154 pts
B+ 85% 148 pts
B 81% 143 pts
B- 78% 138 pts
C+ 75% 133 pts
C 72% 127 pts
C- 69% 122 pts
D+ 66% 117 pts

D

 62% 112 pts
F   111 and below

 

 

COURSE CALENDAR

Wk #1

1-23 Introduction to class, Review Syllabus, Discuss masks.
1-25 Mask Work - The Basics

Wk #2

1-28 Mask Work
1-30 Mask Work
2-1 Mime Work - The Basics

Wk #3

2-4 Mime work
2-6 Mask Improvs
2-8 Mask Improvs

Wk #4

2-11 Mask Improvs
2-13 Mask Improvs
2-15 Assign & Read Scenes

Wk #5

2-18 Mask Improvs
2-20 Mask Improvs
2-22 Present Mime Pieces

Wk#6

2-25 Mask Improvs
2-27 Mask Improvs
3-1 Character Search for Scenes with Masks

Wk #7

3-4 Mask Improvs
3-6 Mask Improvs
3-8 Staging Scenes

Wk #8

3-11 Staging Scenes
3-13 Rehearse Scenes
3-15 Rehearse Scenes

Spring Break - March 16-24

Wk #9

3-25 Rehearse Scenes
3-27 Rehearse Scenes
3-29 Perform Scenes

Wk #10

4-1 Mask Improvs
4-3 Mask Improvs
4-5 Character Interviews

Wk #11

4-8 Character Interviews
4-10 Brainstorm Plot of Performance Piece
4-12 Brainstorm Plot of Performance Piece - Plot Threads Assigned

Wk #12

4-15 Discuss Plot Threads
4-17 Staging Performance Piece
4-19 Staging Performance Piece

Wk #13

4-22 Rehearsal Performance Piece
4-24 Rehearsal Performance Piece
4-26 Rehearsal Performance Piece

Wk #14

4-29 Rehearsal Performance Piece
5-1 Rehearsal Performance Piece
5-3 Rehearsal Performance Piece

Wk #15

Short stories due sometime this week!!!
5-6 Rehearsal Performance Piece
5-8 Rehearsal Performance Piece
5-10 Dress Rehearsal Performance Piece

Final Performance Wednesday May 15 10:00-11:50 a.m.