THEA 4412-01—Acting III

Fall, 2004

Tuesday, Thursday      11:00a.m. —12:15p.m.              Martha Munro              Acting Studio Rm. 105

 

Instructor:                    Shelly Elman                                                                                        

Office:                          Martha Munro Room 207C                                                                                 

Office Hours:                Mondays, Wednesdays              10:00—11:00; 2:00—5:00

Tuesdays, Thursdays                 3:00—4:00

Phone:                         770/836-4792 (Office & Message)

e-mail:                         relman@westga.edu

WebCT:                        http://webct.westga.edu

Texts:                           How to Be a Working Actor by Mari Lyn Henry & Lynne Rogers

Classical Monologues for Women by Kyle Donnelly

Classical Monologues for Men by Kyle Donnelly

American Theatre Book of Monologues for Men edited by Stephanie Coen

American Theatre Book of Monologues for Women edited by Stephanie Coen

                                    1 Journal or Notebook (must be bound in some way)

                                    $15.00 for Photographer and CD

                                                You will also be required to find your own songs

                                    2 blank audio cassette tapes or CDR or CDRW

Supplemental Texts (not required):     Audition by Michael Shurtleff

                                                            Smart Actors, Foolish Choices by Katherine Mayfield

                                                            Acting Professionally by Robert Cohen

                        Playing Monologues from Contemporary, Modern, Period,                                          Shakespeare & Classical Plays compiled by Gerry Ratliff

                                                            Contemporary American Monologues for Women

                                                                                Contemporary American Monologues for Men

 

OFFICE HOURS:

I am available to address matters of concern during my office hours.  If those hours are not convenient, please schedule an appointment.  If you visit my office at other times, I may not be available because of other duties I must attend to. 

 

If you have problems in the class, it is your responsibility to initiate contact with me.  I cannot help you if you do not communicate with me.  Let me know of any problems early in the semester.  I will not accept excuses for poor performance or missing exams, especially late in the semester.

 

DESCRIPTION:

This class is designed to prepare the student actor for the professional world of theatre. Each student will build a repertoire of audition monologues and songs.  The “W” designation after a section number of a 3000—4000 level course signifies that the course is a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) course. WAC accepts as the guiding principle the idea that writing is a valuable tool for learning and communication. Therefore, the writing components of a course so designated are created to help the student learn the material and communicate what has been learned. Students are required to take two “W” courses for an undergraduate degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.

 

THIS COURSE WILL FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING DEGREE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Students will be able to critically understand basic knowledge of theatre history, theory, and criticism as well as research sources and methodology.
  • Students will develop skill in analyzing plays, using theatre technology, and conducting research.
  • Students will express through performance the results of research and critical judgment, indicated by a demonstrable ability to reach an audience effectively.
  • Students will be prepared to work and/or continue study in the performance area upon graduation.
  • Students will have the ability to apply the skills they learned in courses to a variety of work and social environments.
  • Students will become aware of the complex human condition acquired through aesthetic and intellectual perceptions as evidenced in various modes the theatrical production.
  • Students will have the ability to demonstrate knowledge of the various means of theatre through which a theatrical concept is realized.

 

 

 

 

THEA 4412                                                           Syllabus                                                                                                                Page 2 of 5

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

To build a polished repertoire of audition pieces.

To build confidence in the audition process.

To gain an understanding of the “business” of theatre; the audition process, self-promotion, agents, etc.

To perform a seven monologue, two song repertoire.

To understand the character "type" of actor you are.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Be on time!  Class begins promptly at 11:00 a.m.  It is important that monologue work is not interrupted by doors opening and closing, by people noisily walking into the room, etc.  Two tardies will count as one absence.

·         Absence Policy:  Attendance will be taken each class day.  There will be a five point deduction for every absence.

·         Class Participation:  Projects will entail mock auditions that will include songs, monologues, cold readings, and interviews. Students will be graded based on work and appearance (see criteria below). You will also be expected to comment on your classmates’ work.  These comments will be constructive and not personal; comments should be couched in positive terms. However, unlike other acting classes, this class will be somewhat critical. We will be looking at the external as much as the internal. This class is as much about selling yourself as a package as it is about learning the ins and outs of theatre as a business. You will, therefore, be asked to comment on how someone is dressed for an audition as much as what that person communicated with her/his monologue. By the last class day or final exam day, each student will be prepared to present seven monologues and two songs.

·         Readings:  You will be assigned readings for class.  It is important that you actually read the material for each class.  Part of your grade will be whether you have been able to implement what you read into how you approach an audition. We will be using some role-playing exercises to discuss various chapters in How to Be a Working Actor.

·         WebCT (Writing to Learn activity):  Discussion questions will be posted under the schedule icon. Click on it and then go to the day to find the question. Then go to the bulletin board and answer the questions.  It will be necessary to keep in contact with one another via e-mail and WebCT. You will be responsible for checking the class web site (http://webct.westga.edu) on a regular basis for announcements, discussion topics, and grades. For this course you may use WebCT private mail or the bulletin board that you will be required to check regularly.

·         Journal (Writing to Learn activity):  You will be responsible for daily journal entries, which will be handed in twice during the semester. These journal entries will be about acting class and acting in general.  They can be about auditions, rehearsals, observations of people as character studies, class, etc.  I do not want to know any personal information about you (i.e., boyfriend or girlfriend information).  You will hand in the journal at the midterm (15%) and at the end of term [15% (see schedule for specific dates)].

·         A complete journal will include:         The DATE of each entry (put this at the beginning of

each entry)

Neat legible writing

Reactions to auditions or acting observed outside of class

Reactions to each class meeting

Reactions to readings from required texts

·         Collage (Writing to Learn activity):       You will be responsible for putting together photos and pictures that describe your “type” in a scrapbook. This book should be at least five pages of magazine photos, drawings, photos that show people who you think you can play.

·         Portfolio (Writing to Communicate):     You will be responsible for putting together a notebook of your repertoire as chosen for this class. This portfolio will contain the monologues, songs and character analyses for each monologue and song you perform in class.

·         Monologues and songs should be memorized for each presentation.  NO EXCUSES!!

·         Cell Phones and Pagers should be turned off for the beginning of class. If they are not, point deductions will be taken at the discretion of the instructor.

·         The library has distance learning services online available at www.westga.edu/~library; then go to Distance Learning Library Services.

·         Bring monologues and songs with you when the material choices are due.

·         Always bring copies of your monologues/songs with you to each class.

·         This syllabus is subject to change. It is your responsibility to get any changes made to it.

 
 

THEA 4412                                                           Syllabus                                                                                                                Page 3 of 5

SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS:

I will make special arrangements for students with special needs.  Don’t wait until after the first presentation or quiz/exam to talk with me!  Don’t try and “wing it” without telling me about your particular problem or needs.  If you need special accommodations for exams, let me know early, not a few days before the scene or quiz/exam.  I am here to facilitate your learning, but I need to be informed to do so.

 

GRADING:

Assigned Material

Journal (Writing to Learn)                                                                   20%

Collage (Writing to Learn)                                                                   10%

Final Portfolio (Writing to Communicate)                                            25%

  • Includes all monologues, songs (piano scores) and character analyses.

Monologues/songs                                                                               30%

  • Criteria for evaluating mock auditions and interviews:  wardrobe, entry presence, demeanor and command of space, interview Q & A presentation, preparations, goals and presentations of monologues, songs, cold readings, critiques of other students.
  • Character analyses (Writing to Communicate) are due upon each presentation. They should be written in the same format as the GOTE sheets and Hagen analysis used in Acting I & II. Analyses should be done for each monologue and song presented.

Class attendance and WebCT participation (Writing to Learn)            15%

  • WebCT discussion questions must be answered the day they are due on the calendar. WebCT will also be used when good internet sources on auditioning for the stage and screen are found. Discussion questions on these sources may also be included.

 

Grading Scale

100-90              A                                 

89-80                B                                 

79-70                C

69-60                D

59-Below           F

 

Course Schedule

WEEK 1

August              T24                   Introduction

What's my type?

                                                Discuss Syllabus

 

TH26                 Twelve Guideposts to Auditioning

                        Discussion Question 1: Chapter 1 in Working Actor

                       

WEEK 2

T31                   Monologue Most Like You choice due                        

                        Continue Twelve Guideposts to Auditioning

                        Discussion Question 2: Chap. 2 in Working Actor

                       

September        TH2                  Analyzing a character

                                                Audition Exercises (Shurtleff--Ch. 5)

                                                Discuss Type Collage

                                                Discussion Question 3:  Chaps. 3 & 4 in Working Actor

 

WEEK 3

                        T7                     Monologue Most Like You Presentation

                                                Discussion Question 4: Chaps. 5 & 6 in Working Actor

 

TH9                  Monologue Most Like You Presentation (cont'd -- if needed)

                        Discussion Question 5: Chaps. 7 & 8 in Working Actor

 

WEEK 4

                        T14                   Headshot Photos taken in the Bonner House on Front Campus Drive

                                                (make $15 checks payable to University of West Georiga)

                        Contemporary Comic Monologue choice due via WebCT

                        Discussion Question 6: Chaps.  9—11 in Working Actor

 

THEA 4412                                                           Syllabus                                                                                                                Page 4 of 5

                                   

TH16                 Type Collage Due

                        Discussion Question 7:  Chaps. 12 & 13 in Working Actor

                       

WEEK 5

T21                   Contemporary Comic Monologues Presentation

                        Discussion Question 8: Chap. 14 in Working Actor

           

TH23                 Contemporary Comic Monologues Presentation (if needed)

                        Song #1 choice due

                        "But I can't sing!"

                        How to work with an accompanist

                        Discussion Question 9:  Chaps. 15—17 in Working Actor

WEEK 6

T28                   What does the song say?

                        Reading the song

                        What does 16 bars mean?

                        Discussion Question 10: Chapter 20 in Working Actor

                       

TH30                 Working with an accompanist

                        Discussion Question 11: Chapter 21

WEEK 7

October             T5                     Working with an accompanist

                                               

(Noises Off  runs Oct. 6-9, at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 10 at 2:30p.m.)

 

                        TH7                  Working with an accompanist

                       

WEEK 8

T12                   Song #1 Presentation

                        Contemporary Dramatic Monologue choice Due

Journals Due

 

                        TH14                 TBA

                        Georgia Theatre Conference Convention in Savannah, GA

 

(October 14 is the last day to withdraw from class with a grade “W”)

                       

WEEK 9

T19                   Discussion Question 12: Chapter 22 & 23

                        Contemporary Dramatic Monologue Presentations

                       

 

TH21                 Contemporary Dramatic Monologue Presentations

WEEK 10

 

T26                   Shakespeare Verse & Prose Monologues choice due

                        Reading of Shakespeare Verse monologue

                        What is "style?"

                        How do I speak the language?

 

TH28                 Reading of Shakespeare Prose monologue

                        What is "style?"

                        How do I speak the language?

 

WEEK 11

November          T2                     Shakespeare Audition Presentation

                        (Both monologues)

 

            TH4                  Shakespeare Audition Presentation cont'd. (if needed)

                                                Song #2 Choice due

                                   

THEA 4412                                                           Syllabus                                                                                                                Page 5 of 5

 

WEEK 12

                        T9                     Reading Song #2

Work with accompanist on Song #2

 

 

                        TH11                 Work with accompanist on Song #2

 

WEEK 13

                        T16                   Work with accompanist on Song #2

                                   

(Dimly Perceived Threats to the System runs Nov. 17-20 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m.)

 

                        TH18                 Cold Readings

                        The business of AEA or The "You Make the Big Bucks Once You are in Actors'                              Equity" Myth

 

WEEK 14

                        T23                   Song #2 Presentation

                                               

                                   

                        TH25                 Happy Thanksgiving!

                                                NO CLASS

                                               

WEEK 15

T30                   Classic (Not Shakespeare) Comic and Dramatic Monologues choices due

 

 

December         TH2                  Classic Comic & Dramatic Monologue Presentations

                                               

 

Week 16

                        T7                     Classic Comic & Dramatic Monologue Presentations cont'd. (if needed)

                                                Class Evaluations

                                                Journals Due

 

 

                        TH14                11--1     Be prepared to present All Monologues and Songs for a guest                                                           Casting Director

                                                            Portfolio Due

 

Goal Other Tactics Expectations (GOTE) Sheet

from Acting One by Robert Cohen

 

Goal                      The character’s quest which the actor assumes;

                             Everything on stage must be seen, first and foremost, as a

character pursuing a goal.  The goal should be specific and

outgoing.  It is the character’s objective.

 

Other                     The person(s) with whom, for whom, or from whom you

seek your goal.  There is always an ‘other’ in acting.  It is what makes achieving a goal difficult—the chief obstacle.

The struggle to overcome obstacles to achieve goals (and remember the other is also in pursuit of goals) creates the dynamic of acting.  The struggle to overcome obstacles on stage should make you sweat.

 

                             Ask:             What is my goal?

Who is/are the other person(s) who affect my gaining it?

          How can they help me?

          How can they hurt me?

          How are they my obstacle?

How can I demand/induce/encourage their help?

How can I overcome the obstacle they pose?

What should be my tactics?

 

Tactics                   The character’s means of trying to achieve goals; they are

what gives acting it’s “guts”.  Utilizing tactics are what make acting real.  The lines may be the playwright’s but the tactics are the actor’s.

 

Expectation             Characters don’t just desire goals, they crave them. 

Therefore they have certain expectations.  Expectation should then incite enthusiasm, excitement, and energy.  Characters not only have wants, they have passion.  Making the goals the prime goals of your life.

 

 

 

 

 

Goal Other Tactics Expectations (GOTE) Sheet

Taken from Acting One by Robert Cohen and Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen

 

On a separate piece of paper, answer the following questions about your character using as much detail as possible. Use your imagination. Research. Do your homework on each character! Answers should be in narrative form and in the first person. Answers should be longer than one word or one sentence.

 

1.       Basic information about the character:

 

Name:

 

Sex:

 

Age:

 

Marital Status and History:

 

Educational Level:

 

Economic/Social Status:

 

2.                 What do you really want?  When do you want it?

 

3.       Other:   from whom (in the play) do I want it?  Who in the play can help me?  Who in the play can hurt me?  Who is an obstacle? Why? What are my deepest fears?

 

4.       Tactics:  How can I get it?  How (and whom) can I threaten?  How (and whom) can I    induce?

 

5.       Expectation:  Why do I expect to get it?  Why does it excite me?  What

     will I do when I get it?

 

6.       What time is it?  Century, year, season, day, minute.  What was happening in politics,    sports, weather, etc. at this time?  How do the above things affect you?

 

7.       Where am I? Country, city, neighborhood, house, room, area of room. 

 

8.       What surrounds me?  Animate and inanimate objects.  Describe them in detail. How      does the time of day affect what surrounds me?

 

9.       What are the given circumstances?  Past, present, future, and the events.

What took place two minutes before this scene?  What are you expecting to happen two minutes after this scene?  What do you expect to happen now?