DRAMA 151: Basic Acting Fundamentals Syllabus
FALL 2014 / Item #0955B
Instructor: Karen JoFairbrook
E-mail:
Phone:425- 564-2719
Office location:E-121 (Theatre Building near the Box Office Windows)
Office Hours:Monday & Thursday @ 12:30 – 2:00pm and as Arranged
WE WILL USE 3 DIFFERENT ROOMS: STOP GAP Theater, E224 & N208
~ on Mondays we will be in N208 ~
~ on Tuesdays & Thursdays we will be in STOP GAP Theater ~
~ on Wednesdays we will be in E224 ~
Course Information
Course Outcomes
1)Perform a variety of warm ups for rehearsal, performance, presentation or interview.
2)Maintain concentration onstage.
3)Identify a character's objective and obstacle.
4)Apply knowledge of acting technique to a monologue.
5)Analyze the job of the actor.
6)Explain the functions and importance of the emotional, physical and vocal tools available for further study in acting.
7)Employ some of the emotional, physical and vocal tools of acting to improve a performance.
How Outcomes will be met
--ASSIGNMENTS: Please note: All assignments need to be done on time or your grade will lower.
There will be in-class exercises, and some script homework assigned in preparation for Monologue & Scene presentations. Lines need to be memorized when due and you will rehearse with your scene partner for several hoursoutside of class. Everyone will lead Warm-Ups once during the quarter. Be prepared for a couple of Quizzes based on handouts & lectures. Midterm & Final will include written & performance activities. You will write a Review Paper on the acting you observe in the BC play you see this term. Each student does one Monologue and a two-person Scene. We will read and use the book: “ACTIONS: The Actor’s Thesaurus”
--JOURNAL: You will keep a class journal of what we do in class chronicling your reactions to the exercises, observations and things you learn by watching others, and a chronology of what you find helpful. This will be your own acting text detailing processes that work for you – and things you don’t understand or need to work on. It will be handed in to me at the end of the quarter. Only I will read it.
--PRODUCTIONS: You must see “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” being done here @ BC in Stop Gap Theater:
Buy your tickets in advance @ *You will write a 2 page acting Critique*
Play dates: Nov.13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22@ 7:30pm * Tickets: $10 students / $12 general
(For Extra Credit I strongly urge you to attend our Student Directed STAGEFRIGHT production:
“DIRECTions” playing Dec. 6 & 7 @ 7:30pm * Tickets: $5 all in Stop Gap Theater.
Grading
Grading Breakdown:
Participation...... 10%
Preparation ...... 10%
Quiz #1 ...... 10%
Quiz #2 ...... 10%
Midterm: Monologue Presentation. . . .5%
Monologue Paperwork . . . .10%
Final: Scene Presentation ...... 10%
Scene Paperwork ...... 10%
Journal ...... 10%
BC play Attendance ...... 5%
BC play Review ...... 5%
Special Acting Project ...... 5%
EXTRA CREDIT MAY BE AWARDED FOR ATTENDING & CRITIQUING APPROVED LIVE PLAYS
Books and Materials Required
Required: ACTIONS: The Actor’s Thesaurus – Marina Caldarone & Maggie Lloyd-Williams
Dead Man’s Cell Phone – Sarah Ruhl
Final Exam Schedule
Our FINAL EXAM SCENE presentation takes place: MONDAY Dec. 8th @ 9:30 – 11:30 am
Classroom Learning Atmosphere
Instructor’s Expectation
In order to understand and experience the answer to “What is Acting?”, you will participate in exercises; learn craft techniques; hone your imagination and sensory skills; use objectives, actions and obstacles; play games and improvise; work alone on a Monologue and with a scene partner on a short scene as you explore Connection, Talking & Listening, and Inner Monologue. All of this requires a willingness to take some risks, use your common sense, find your sense of bravery ~ and PLAY! Having an open attitude and willingness to “jump in” are key to succeeding and having a great deal of FUN !
--ATTENDANCE / PARTICIPATION / PREPARATION:is crucial & attendance will be taken every day -this is a participatory class. Absences curtail your learning and affect your scene partners adversely. If you are late you will be marked “tardy” – habitual tardiness is a class disruption. Three “tardies” equal one “absent”. Five “absences” will cause your final grade to automatically be lowered one whole grade. Eight “absences” causes failing the class. Let me know ahead of time (email or leave a voice message) if you know you will be missing a particular class for an excusable reason (illness, emergency, or school-related conflict)! Absences will be judged harshly when working in scene partnerships.
The most important things you will be graded on will always be effort and willingness ~ not “talent”.
Be prepared and ready to participate each day in comfortable clothes & shoes you can easily move in. Read assigned material by the due dates and turn in assignments on time or you will not get full credit. Have props & items ready when needed for class. Particularly important is being a good “partner” when working with a fellow actor. If you do not attend or are not prepared for class activities – you leave your partner incapacitated and unable to fully participate which is extremely rude and unfair!
Be sure to have all CELL PHONES turned OFF before class! I will take phones away and return them after class if they ring or you are caught texting during class. This includes using laptops during class unless approved for a specific project or reason. Unfortunately, a few sneaky “during class computer game-players” have made this mandatory. I’ve been known to answer phones when going off in class
You are welcome to bring drinks, but please refrain from eating during class – and particularly no gum chewing as these get in the way of our exercises. We can take a short break for you to snack.
Mutual respect and understanding that we all have different views and tastes is paramount in our class. Diversity and a variety of points-of-view are the norm . . . there is very little “right or wrong” in our discussions. We can learn a great deal from each other and when applicable: agree to disagree! Every single student MUST feel safe and welcome to express themselves in this class. I will be a stickler and very proactive about this! Those of us who participate in theatre are accustomed to “taking risks” – this is a safe place to do so! Absolutely no name-calling, slurs or prejudicial talk will be tolerated.
BE SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER!!!!
In this course, college students are expected to read, explore, practice, and perform adult material. This is the kind of material being performed at the college, semi-professional, and professional levels. Though it may challenge your politics, values, religious beliefs and/or personal comfort level, I encourage you to welcome and explore those challenges. Should you have concerns about any aspect of the class, I encourage you to come to me with them. If for any reason you don’t feel comfortable raising your concerns with me, the next step is to talk with the program chair, Tammi Doyle, 425-564-2319, office in E100a. You can bring concerns about the class to the Arts and Humanities Division Dean, Maggie Harada () or the Assistant Dean, Scott Bessho () in the Arts and Humanities division office (R230). An additional resource for concerns you find aren’t being addressed by faculty or administration is the Ombuds Office. (
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10 Questions About Syllabus
So, this is how I know if you have read our syllabus or not! These are the easiest points to earn because all you have to do is bring me back this piece of paper telling me the following information, starting with YOUR name and Bellevue College email address at the top of the page:
1)What is MY name, email & phone info, and office location?
2)What are the books are required for the quarter?
3)What play will you attend at BC this quarter? How many pages is your Acting Review to be?
4)What should you include in your class journal?
5)What can you do to be well-prepared for class? What should you NOT do in class?
6)What happens to cell phones if they ring or you are caught texting during class?
7)What will I be a stickler about?
8)Why is attendance so important when we are working on partner scenes?
9)When is our FINAL scheduled to take place?
10)Where does our class meet on Monday, Wednesday, Tuesday & Thursday?