Theatre Productions I, II, III, & IV
Course of Study
Instructor: Mr. WhitePhone: (434) 525-2674 (ext. 334)
E-mail:
Course Description:
Improvisation is where theatre began. When three quarters of the world was illiterate, and printed materials were unheard of, entire plays were improvisational works developed through established characters and plots. These “plays” were works developed in improvisation, using methods of trial and error, actors responding to audiences and vice-versa, along with repetition. In this class, students gain experiential understanding of improvisational acting, and develop the strong improvisational perspective that is essential to scripted work. Through theatre games and improvising scenes, actors develop tools to make them more trusting of their own impulses, and more generous with their fellow actors, as they fine tune their ability to focus, listen, respond, and create. They learn to always go for the active choices, to play at the top of their intelligence, and to always serve the scene. Actors also experience that the best comedy comes out of listening and responding honestly, not “going for jokes.”
Students explore classic scenes from American Dramatic Realism. The Stanislavsky-based approach (Goals, Obstacles, Tactics and Expectations) is appliedto scripted material. Students learn the basics of how an actor approaches a script, rehearsal basics, and perform their rehearsed scenes for the class.
Objectives:
To train students in the art of improvisation, to help free them to trust their instincts and make quick decisions in theatrical situations, and to help them prepare for work with scripted material/auditions.
To use text to pursue an intention, and play a simple action; to develop a basic, simple acting process/technique, applicable to many styles of theatre; to create truthful, moment-to-moment action within the given circumstances of the play.
Students in this course are not required to audition for extra-curricular productions; however, it is strongly encouraged, since public performance is a natural extension of the course work.
Concepts Covered:
Listening ~ Listening is the core of great improvisation, and also of great acting. Each beat of a scene is based on and builds directly from the information in the previous beat. Students perform exercises to focus their complete attention on their scene partners and then to remember and build on information that has been given to them.
Information ~ Once the improvisers have listened to the latest piece of information put forth in a scene, they can further build the scene by adding their own information. This process is normally referred to as “yes, and.” Students perform exercises to strengthen their agreement with information that has been presented in a scene, and to establish the “who, what, and where” of the scene.
Emotion ~ Strong emotion in improv is crucial for a successful scene. Emotions indicate what is important to characters, and are used to indicate a beat change. Being emotional allows the improviser to respond instinctively in a scene, and to avoid thinking when they should be reacting. Students perform exercises to open their emotionality and learn to respond to each other’s heightened emotional choices.
Character ~ Character choices drive the scene, and are a great source of comedy. Characters are not created by just taking on an accent or posture, but from thinking from a completely different point of view. Students perform exercises to explore different routes to creating unique and dimensional characters.
Justification ~ Improv, by nature, can be fraught with inconsistent information. It is the improviser’s job to correct inconsistencies in a scene immediately. This process is called justification, and can involve changing imaginary surroundings, correcting verbal information, and adjusting emotions and character to match what has already been presented in the reality of the scene.
Commitment ~ Commitment is the measure of an improviser’s level of belief in imaginary circumstances. Improvised scenes with a weak premise or weak characters can be saved when the performers display a strong level of commitment to the circumstances. Students perform exercises that require a high level of commitment, even in odd or absurd circumstances.
Ensemble ~ A strong ensemble is critical for a successful improvised or scripted scene. Scene partners must have absolute trust in each other, and be acutely aware of each other’s initiations. Students perform exercises to build their awareness of the ensemble, and practice taking and giving focus in scenes.
Student Expectations:
~Trust your instincts and have FUN!
~Support each other!
~Show up ready to move!
~Give your attention and respect to the other performers and teacher.
~Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
~No food in class.
Weekly Arts Section Quiz:
Students familiarize themselves with the Lynchburg News & Advance Lifestyles (Thursday) section for a three-question written quiz every Friday. Average score will constitute 10% of the final class grade. (Newspaper is always available in the library, but often on Mr. White’s bulletin board as well.)
VHSL/VTA Competition:
Advanced Theatre Productions class (5th Period) will spend class time of the months of August, September and October rehearsing the one-act play for the Virginia Theatre Association annual conference in Norfolk, Va. To be held October 23-26, and the VHSL District Competition to be held November 1, 2013, at Pulaski County High School.