Grad Acting IV Advanced Problems in Acting and Performance
Shakespeare/Greeks & Ritual Theatre/Comedy
Jack Young 3-0705
Course Description: Class will challenge students to bring skills from the previous three semesters to orchestrate and sustain theatrical and well-connected acting in extended Shakespeare scenes, Ancient Greek scenes and choral odes, and a range of comedy. Class time will continue to focus on the field of professional theatre, development of business materials, audition material, and contact letters.
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes
1. Combine skills in verse, rhetoric and strongly connected internal work present artful renditions of extended Shakespeare scenes/monologues, highly theatrical Greek scenes/monologues
2. Recognize the structure and mechanics in different comic scenes, and bring appropriate skills and sensibilities to fulfill them
3. Connect with professional opportunities for summer work and beyond
Required Texts: Seyler, Athena—The Craft of Comedy
Harrop/Epstein—Acting With Style
Selected plays as assigned
Each Sunday’s New York Times Arts & Leisure section
Each month’s American Theatre magazine
Other Requirements: Appropriate costumes and props to fulfill the needs of scene and solo assignments; photos and resumes to send out to professional contacts
Week 1-4—Extended Shakespeare Scenes and Monologues
Week 5-8—Greek Drama—Realism/Ritual
Week 9-15—Comedy
Participation and attendance is necessary for success in this class. Missing class deprives other students of the opportunity to move forward with their work. Experiential learning is key. It is expected that techniques introduced during classtime will be honed by the student in rigorous rehearsal sessions outside of classtime.
Grading—50% based on objective criteria: attendance, punctuality, deadlines, participation in discussion, mastering of vocabulary, attire
50% based on subjective assessment of improvement of skill, support of partners and ensemble, success in performance of skills in a fully theatrical and dramatic way
It is expected that all students daily will read material posted on the bulletin board outside of CWM 208. I do send notes to the entire class by email; it is expected that each student will regularly check email and keep me apprised of their appropriate email address.
Maintaining good health, hygiene and fitness is part of your responsibility as a professional performer. If you are unable to participate on any given day due to injury, you are expected to support the work of the ensemble with intense observation.
There will be no discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion or creed, age, sexual orientation or physical limitation.