Introduction to the Actor S Art Fall 2016

INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTOR’S ART FALL 2016

Theatre 101

Jenny Wanasek

Office T 25, phone 229-4947

Office Hour: T, 2:00-3:00pm

and by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class will introduce the student to the basic principles of Acting. This will be accomplished through the use of a variety of theatre exercises, the performance of student generated material, the viewing and critique of live theatrical performance, and the analysis and performance of a script. These offer the opportunity to exercise and develop one’s imagination, physical and vocal dexterity, emotional expression, as well as to expand one’s ability to take risks and reflect on that experience. Students will gain an appreciation for the art of acting as a creative discipline that embraces intuition, process, and craft through active participation in exercises, engaging in critique of theatrical performances, and researching a character. There will be an introduction to pursuing acting as a profession and to the demands the actor faces in the rehearsal and performance of live theatre as well as to an example of interactive theatre used for social justice and transformation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Expose students to acting as an art form and craft

Increase students’ power to bring to life a character

Increase students’ sensitivity to human motivation – their own and others’

Expose students to a variety of theatrical performances

Expose students to a variety of uses for theatrical expression

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Students must participate fully in each class session.
2. Students must dress for freedom of movement.
3. Students must attend three theatrical productions chosen by the instructor.
4. Written or performance assignments are due at class time on the date due. Points will be deducted for each day late.

GRADINGpoints may be earned for the following 28 classes

PARTICIPATIONTOTAL POSSIBLE: 53

1. 1.9 points possible for each day student is actively involved and energetically focused in class. This means being prepared and ready to present or participate in all exercises and homework. (Each student allowed one class missed with no penalty) After the 5th week of class, in addition to the loss of the 1.9 pts, there will be additional deductions for any absence beyond three.
2. 1 pt. deduction for arriving late (each student allowed one late arrival with no penalty). Deductions increase for amount of time late.

HOMEWORKTOTAL POSSIBLE: 22

There will be approximately two written and three performed assignments.

(Personal Challenge: 1 pt, MTV: 4 pts, 1st Scene: 4 pts, Walk: 3 pts, Play Quiz: 3 pts, Character Analysis: 4 pts, Reading Assignments Quizzes: 4 pts)

There will be unannounced quizzes on reading assignments. Your lowest quiz score will not count toward your points for the Reading Assignments Quizzes points.

PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCETOTAL POSSIBLE: 14

5 points possible for attendance ofThe Taming (paper and ticket stub required). Maximum point possible for seeing a play without turning in the paper is 1 pt. 4 pts possible for Translations (no paper; ticket stub required), and 5 pts possible for seeingLobby Hero ( paper and ticket stub required).

FINAL EXAMTOTAL POSSIBLE: 10

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 100

C70-66

Credits: 3: 36.25 hours of classroom instruction, 23 hours reading plays/articles/research, 12 hours rehearsals, 15 hours prep for in-class presentation, 7 hours of performance attendance, 3 hours writing of paper

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Optional text: The Immigrant by Mark Harelik. ISBN: 9780881450736.You are required to read it. If you prefer not to buy it, you may read it using the copies on reserve.

Optional text: Descent by Tom Patrick. You are required to read it. Copies can be purchased from the instructor, $5. If you prefer not to buy it, you can read a copy on reserve.

Optional text: Auditioning by Joanna Merlin. ISBN: ISBN 978-0-375-72537-1

Required reading: the following articles may be posted on D2L or handed out in class:

The Power of Focusing. Cornell, Ann Weiser, Ph.D., 1996. Focusing In Safety And Trust.New

Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Acting One. Cohen, Robert, 2002, fourth edition. Emotion and Acting Theory, pp 175-181. McGraw-Hill

Higher Education.

Respect For Acting. Hagen, Uta. Objectves.

Acting One. Cohen, Robert, 2002, fourth edition. GOTE, pp 61-64. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Movement For Actors. Mackavey, Jill, 2002. Synergizing Internal and External Acting, Allworth Press.

Recommended Text (not required for this class): Auditioning by Joanna Merlin

Plays for which attendance is required: Always bring your student ID to get student rates on tickets. The cheapest ticket available is usually a “rush ticket”. These are available only during the last 30 minutes before the show starts. Do not put off getting tickets until the last weekend. Plays frequently sell out and you may find you’re at a loss for a way to see the show and earn these points. If a show is sold out, you can always go and get on a wait list. Sometimes ticket holders don’t show. Matinees sell better than evening shows. They almost always have tickets available for the late show on Saturdays. There is no half-price ticket for the second play you’ll see. It is the usual reasonable student price. It is possible to see UWM shows free by ushering.

Sept 29- Oct 23 The Taming

Next Act Theatre

255 S. Water St.

11/16-11/20 Translations

UWM Mainstage

11/23-12/11 Lobby Hero

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre

158 N. Broadway

Plays for which attendance is required: Always bring your student ID to get student rates on tickets. When seeing professional theatre, the cheapest ticket available is usually a “rush ticket”. These are available only during the 30 minutes before the show starts. Do not put off getting tickets until the last weekend. Plays frequently sell out and you may find you’re at a loss for a way to see the show and earn these points. If a show is sold out, you can always go and get on a waiting list. Sometimes ticket holders don’t show. Matinees sell better than evening shows. They almost always have tickets available for the late show on Saturdays. There is no half-price ticket for the UWM shows. It is the usual reasonable student price.

General Guidelines:

• You are responsible for all course material. If you miss a class, check D2L for updates on material covered or assignments due or see a class member to get caught up on notes, handouts, announcements, etc. that were given during your absence. I will not provide content to students who missed the class period in which it was given. Do not ask for extra credit work. You are allowed one missed class with no penalty. Use this for extreme circumstances.
• All written assignments are due to the D2L dropbox BEFORE CLASS TIME. It is your responsibility to make sure that you do this successfully before the due date. Deductions are made for late submissions. No assignments accepted later than one week after due date.
• If you have a condition that requires special accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible. We will make an appointment o review your VISA and discuss your accommodations. I am happy to make accommodations for documented disabilities. However, please note that: 1) you must provide official documentation (VISA) in order to have accommodations made: 2) I will not retroactively provide accommodations; and 3) accommodations cannot be made unless and until you have formally discussed implementation with me.
• Office Hours: I maintain set office hours for your benefit each week. If you have classes that meet during these hours, I can be available at other hours for a special appointment. Additionally, if you can, when taking advantage of the office hours time - let me know when to expect you so that you can receive priority at that time.
• Crisis Policy: If, during the course of the semester, you become involved in any situation that may affect your ability to meet your academic responsibilities, then I encourage you to come speak to me as soon as possible. I can better help you find solutions when I know about your problem in advance. If you wait until you have missed a deadline, assignment, etc. (or if you wait until the end of the term to explain your extenuating circumstances), you will generally discover that I am unable to help you find solutions.
• Electronic communication devices are no more appropriate in the classroom than they are in the theatre. Turn them off during class.

UWM is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduates and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events. For detailed information on all policies see:

Other helpful UWM resources and their links:

The UWM Writing Center:

Libraries:

Panther Academic Support Services (tutorial assistance):

On campus computer lab information:

The UWM Bookstore:

The UWM TechStore:

University Information Technology Services (Help Desk):

Help Desk Telephone: 414-229-4040 Help Desk Location: Bolton Hall 225

Desire to Learn (D2L) Help:

GER Rationale

This course satisfies the PSOA GER requirements because it:

Focuses on the creation of theatrical pieces and participation in the craft of acting a role in a play (GER Goal #1)

Asks students to learn and apply various acting techniques used by actors in acting a role (GER Goal #3)

Requires participants to analyze their own and other’s acting performances (GER Goal #2)

GER Assignment: Performance of a scene from a play

GER Outcome: Creative self-expression, integration of knowledge regarding acting technique in the performing of a role in a scene from a play.

GER Assignment:Students, working in pairs, will complete this course by preparing and performing a five-minute scene from a play which deals with the questions of social responsibility. In their performance the student is required to apply the following aspects of the actor’s craft: analyze character and character choices; execute emotional, physical and vocal expression; demonstrate a personal connection to character; choose character objectives and actively pursue said objectives; integrate direction from instructor; demonstrate listening and responding to their scene partner as well as collaborate responsibly with them.

GER Assessment:Students are graded on: synergy of character analysis and objectives, personal connection and empathy for character, appropriateness of physical and vocal expression, the pursuing of active choices for their character, listening and responding to scene partner. The performance of the scene allows instructor to assess the integration of aspects of acting technique, the student’s creative application of them and their response to the personal challenge of embracing another’s reality, as well as demonstrate the ability to empathize with and connect to other members of society.

GRADING RUBRIC FOR FINAL EXAM (GER Assignment)