Mr. M. J. Boswell E-Mail:

Office Hours: by appointment at lunch Office Phone: 240-497-6300

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In Advanced Acting, you will explore and apply techniques developed by acting teachers Sanford Meisner, David Mamet, and others of your choice. Your exploration of these techniques is meant to instill in you the habitual use of the tools actors use to consistently "live in the moment"—a state in which one reacts impulsively to what the other actors in a scene do at any given instant while simultaneously "acting" in a way that accords with the demands of the script and director. Each approach strives to ignite the actor's imagination while disciplining the truth of his or her behavior; this, so that you may “live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”

OBJECTIVES

1. Students will have a working understanding of the major principles of acting and acting as an art and will increase their ability to express themselves artistically and communicate effectively.

2. Students will have an understanding of the components that create dramatic tension: objectives, obstacles, tactics, and stakes and will be able to utilize the components of dramatic tension in both improvisation and scene study.

3. Students will be skilled in the use of relaxation exercises and bodily expression.

4. Students will explore and understand the need for intense focus and concentration when performing.

5. Students will be able to analyze and dissect scripts for beats, objectives, and characterization.

6. Students will read and analyze the full text of any play that they are performing a scene or monologue from.

7. Students will be able to write a character biography.

8. Students will understand the importance of and strive to achieve sensory and emotional awareness and recall.

9. Students will be able to create a character based on observation, physical exploration and script analysis.

10. Students will have a working knowledge of stage directions and blocking.

11. Students will participate in ensemble and trust building activities.

12. Student will see and comment on a large variety of theatrical productions.

13. Students will be able to effectively criticize their own work and that of others.

ADDITIONAL COURSE WORK

Also, in addition to the classroom exercises, there will also be several on going projects that need to be completed outside of class:

1. Once a week, you will log class experiences in a spiral notebook, briefly describing the objectives of activities for the week and thoughtfully critiquing their progress. The primary function of the journal is to help the instructor assess your progress and to help you prepare for the creation of a portfolio at the end of the course. It will play a large role in determining quarterly grades. (Journals due approximately every four weeks)

2. You will prepare a monologue from a play selected by the instructor for video taping within the first few weeks of class; you will repeat the same monologue at the conclusion of the course and compare the performances. (Monologues due for video taping at the end of week two and during the final week of class)

3. Individually or in pairs, you will research a renowned acting coach and/or theorist (other than Meisner) and present a “hands on workshop” on his or her methodology to the students in the class. (Due TBA; qtr 1)

4. You will interview and research a noted actor's history, training, influences, accomplishments, and setbacks and present their findings to the class. (Due TBA; qtr 2)

QUARTERLY GRADING SCALE

No assignment will be worth more than 25% of your final grade.

25%: Weekly journals (1 entry per wk / approx. 5 pts each)

15%: Acting coach and actor presentations (1 per qtr / approx. 30 pts)

10%: Exercises graded for completion (aprox. 1 per wk / approx. 2 pts each)

Qtr 1 only: 25%: Repetition exercise prep work / final evaluation (1 total / approx. 50 pts)

Qtr. 2 only: 25%: Scripted scene prep work / final evaluation (1 total / approx. 50 pts)

25%: Play critiques (1 per qtr / approx. 25 pts each)

All performances and assignments will be graded using a rubric listing standards and expectations tailored to the particular assignment. Students will receive the rubric when the work is assigned. Generally, a grade of "C" on a project / performance is an indication of satisfactory completion of the assignment, both in terms of preparation and execution. Grades higher than “C” will be based on those elements of the project / performance that indicate a high degree of personal investment, thoughtful preparation (particularly through practice exercises), and a desire to surpass basic standards.

Quarterly grades will be based on meeting class related project / performance deadlines and the degree to which these project / performances demonstrate a student’s ability to:

--employ an imaginative, yet thoughtful approach to the rehearsal process

--use the script as the basis for directorial choices

--remain flexible, open, and available to members of the cast and their ideas

--demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of directorial practices.

RETEACHING / REASSESSMENT

All assignments graded by rubric can be reassessed. A reassessment must be requested by the student the same week the initial assignment is returned. The reassessment will be scheduled within five days of the return of the initial assignment. The assessment may be in the original format or an alternate format. Students are expected to seek additional help and guidance from the teacher outside of class, preferably after school.

COMMUNICATION

All scores for work--written or performed--will be accompanied by direct feedback from the teacher, in writing or orally. Scores will be based a point system with more demanding projects being assigned more points possible. Anytime you'd like an update on your progress, check Edline or schedule a brief meeting w/ the instructor before or after class to ensure meaningful feedback. Parents wishing to discuss your progress need only to contact the teacher via email. Otherwise, the teacher will communicate progress regularly through interim reports.

ALLOWANCES AND EXPECTATIONS

Theater Conservatory are granted a large amount of freedom and responsibility when making artistic choices; to prevent any infringement on a student’s choices, additional help from the instructor, when needed, must be sought.

Also, since this is a conservatory class, it should also be understood by students enrolled in this class that all performances will be critically scrutinized and evaluated; honest feedback by the instructor (or other students) should be viewed as an opportunity for growth; it should never be looked upon by a performer as a personal attack, a judgment of personal worth, or an attempt to undermine confidence. The critiques are part of the activities and are intended to help individual students reach very deep within themselves so that their work can be true.