ATHR 349 – The Business of “The Biz”
Audition, Business, and Marketing Strategies
Towards Becoming a Working Actor
Fall 2010
Professor:Yvonne PerryOffice Hours: T-TH
By appointment
Cell: (518) 225-3620
E-Mail:
Course Meetings:Class: T –TH 1:15 pm – 2:35 pm PAC – 37
Additional Meetings for guest artists/lectures/master classes as detailed in course outline.
Course Prerequisites:ATHR 240 and/or permission of instructor
Text/Materials:Acting: Make it Your Business by Paul Russell (req.)
Suggested Additional Texts/Materials:
The Actor’s Workbook, Valerie Hubbard & Lea Brandenburg
Audition, Michael Shurtleff
Casting Q’s: A collection of Casting Directing Interviews,
Bonnie Gillespie
Acting Professionally, Robert Cohen
Acting In Person and In Style, Jerry Crawford
Acting in On-Camera Commercials, Ruthe Price & Michael Geier
Acting For The Camera, Tony Barr
The Audition Sourcebook, Randall Richardson & Don Shandley
The Art of Film Acting, Jeremiah Comey
Backstage, Backstage West, Variety, Ross Reports, etc.
NOTE: Course materials/Copyright
The Handouts used in this course are copyrighted. By “Handouts” I mean all materials generated or used in this class. They include, but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab exercises, in class materials, review sheets, and especially scenes and scripts. Because they are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy the handouts unless I expressly grant permission.
Course Description:Do you plan on a career in show business? This is perhaps the most important class you will take as you study and prepare for a life as a working actor. Designed to introduce the student to the many facets of the entertainment industry, focus will be given to auditioning for theatre, film and television – including the employment opportunities available within each medium. Other practical topics explored include the responsibilities of agents, managers, unions, casting directors, producers and directors. Also included, how to market yourself as a performer or industry specialist in both large and small markets, with emphasis on headshots, resumes, cover letters and website development.
Student Expectations:Professionalism and discipline is required for this class. Regular and prompt attendance is mandatory, as is eager class participation. Students are expected to work productively and collegially in order to help provide a stimulating learning environment. Your attitude in this realm can affect your grade.
Graded/Required Activities:
- Monologue – Contemporary/Realism – comic
- Monologue – Classical – serious or comic
- Professional Resume
- Cover Letter Assignment
- Cold Readings Audition
- TV Studio Screen Test
- Thank you note
- At least one audition. Departmental productions or otherwise. Response paper.
- Independent Project/Presentation
- Attend all THREE of the following:
- Program and ticket stub from all three shows
Plays In Process
Friday and Saturday, October 8 & 9 at 8pm
Saturday & Sunday, October 9 & 10 at 2pm
Student tickets $4
Studio Theatre
DEAR HARVEY by Patricia Loughrey
Friday & Saturday, November 5 & 6 at 8pm
Sunday, November 7 at 2pm*
Thursday & Friday, November 11 & 12 at 8pm
Saturday, November 13 at 8pm
Thursday & Friday, November 18 & 19 at 8pm
Saturday, November 20 at 2pm
Student Tickets $8-10
Studio Theatre
THE GLASSCASTLE
By Jeannette Walls Presented by American Place Theatre
Directed by Chad Larabee
Wednesday October 20 at 7:15
Student Tickets $10
Recital Hall
REQUIRED:
CACTUS FLOWER
Capital Repertory Theatre
111 N. Pearl St. Albany, NY
Wednesday October 27 at 7:30 pm
Ticket price TBA
A CHRISTMAS STORY
Wednesday Dec. 1 at 7:30 pm
Capital Rep. 11 N. Pearl St.Albany
Ticket Price TBA
Attendance Policy: Regular and prompt attendance is both expected and
and required. Students are permitted TWO absences, excused or unexcused. After two absences, student will lose a letter grade for each absence thereafter on their “participation” grade. Documented absences, however, that are excused per university policy will be honored and will not affect the grading.
If the student is missing a performance or any other graded activity, he/she must notify the instructor PRIOR to the class when it is due, in order to be permitted to make up the work. A grade of “0” will be assigned of the student fails to notify the instructor prior to the class where the activity is due.
Assignments that are late will be lowered a full letter grade for each class period it is overdue. This does not apply to university approved absences. I do NOT accept papers on disc or via e-mail.
Evaluation Policy:Class participation and Attendance20%
Class Performances20%
Independent Project/Presentation20%
Written assignments and tests40%
Extra Credit:Extra credit may be considered for the following activities: acting in department productions (excluding student productions); attend a professional or approved community theatre production and write a review of the performance; audition for U/RTA, SETC, NETC (prior approval and documentation is required). All extra credit is due by the last regular meeting of class. Extra credit can be applied towards an attendance problem and can help a student who is close to a higher grade. It can only increase a grade by a 1/3 grade, in addition to the attendance grade.
ADA Policy:“The American Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for a reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Office of Support Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 126 of the StudentServicesBuilding. The phone # is 845-1637.”
Course Calendar
ATHR 349 – The Business of “The Biz”
Audition, Business, and Marketing Strategies
Towards Becoming a Working Actor
Spring 2010
Th 1/21
T 1/26
Th 1/28
T 2/2
Th 2/4
T 2/9
Th 2/11
T 2/16
Th 2/18
T 2/23
Th 2/25
T 3/2
Th ¾
T 3/9
W 3/10
Th 3/11No Class
T 3/16
Th 3/18
T 3/23
Th 3/25
T 3/30Spring Break
Th 4/1Spring Break
T 4/6
Th 4/8
T 4/13
Th 4/15
T 4/20
Th 4/22
T 4/27
Th 4/29
T 5/4Last Day of class.