Movement for the Actor (SP-Graduate Stage Combat I)
Course: THEA 6398 Section: 14311
Fall 2007 --- M,W,F 8:30am-10:00am
University of Houston, School of Theatre & Dance
Instructor: Brian Byrnes, Associate Professor -- Office hours by appointment (713) 743-1788
Theme: "Strong Technique and Practical Application"
Learning Outcomes:
Students will develop performance skills for the professional theatre through actor movement and stage combat disciplines.
Class Plan - Objectives - Class Requirements:
The focus of this class will be to learn and develop safe and dramatically effective techniques of staged violence. This training is a specialized form of actor/movement work – helping you to further develop body and spatial awareness, centering, concentration, focus, timing, action, and counter-action. Working as a good partner is also one of the most important aspects of this work. If a dedicated focus is put into the training, Stage Combat is one of the most rewarding actor/movement skills in theatrical training. Honing this special skill can make you a more marketable individual in the professional field.
We will work to do a full performance assignment every week, including text and scene work with integrated fight sequencing. A strong emphasis will be on character analysis and investing physical choices with specific intention. Through this effort, you will also be working to develop clear, accurate, and safe stage combat techniques. The due dates of each assignment will be remain TBD, but you will be expected and pressed to handle the material effectively. Any time we work with text for a given scene/assignment, it will be a given that you will be “off-book” for the first day when working on that scene in class. This will be a studio and performance class with a certain amount of discussion regarding the work. Individual practice outside of class work will be expected. Outside rehearsals with partners will be expected. Video-taped work may be incorporated into critiques. You may want to purchase a practice “blade” in order to work on assignments outside of the classroom. There will be no books that you are required to purchase -- although information to buy texts on the subject will be made available to you.
Safety Information:
This will be a physically demanding course, and it is important that you keep yourself healthy throughout the semester. Please be aware of any physical aggravations that may occur during the run of this class. You must inform the instructor of any possible limitations you may currently have (i.e. -- knees, neck, back, muscle, artificial joints or implements, asthma, old injuries, physical disorders, epilepsy, heart conditions, learning disabilities, or any other injury, physical disorder, or condition that you may currently have or have had in the past that might impede your work in this class). As the instructor, at any point during the course of the semester, if I feel that your physical well-being is overburdened by the content of the work, you may be asked to drop the course out of concern for your current and future health and well-being.
You are encouraged to buy a pair of pliable leather gloves for this course. Additionally, you may find it useful to purchase knee/elbow pads. Also note, that if the techniques of this class are not performed accurately, the potential for self-injury, or injury to others is a possibility. You must be acutely aware of your own well-being and the well-being of your classroom partners.
Any student suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to take class that day, and participation in the class thereafter will be by the instructor's discretion.
Grading:
20% -- Participation (promptness, preparation, participation) (10% at MidTerm, 10% at End)
20% -- Over-all assessment of primary skills (ability, progress, potential) (10% at MidTerm, 10% at End)
50% -- Performance/Presentation Assignments (ten assignments -- 5% each)
10% -- Final (5% Performance Final, 5% Written Final)
Also Note: -- We will follow the School of Theatre & Dance Attendance Policy in determining final grades. The Attendance Policy and Absence Appeal documents can be found on the School of Theatre & Dance website ( via the Forms & Policies link. You are expected read and understand those documents. If you need clarification, please ask.