THA 230-803 ACTING TWO Spring 2017
Mondays & Wednesdays 9am-10:45am
Instructor: Raeleen McMillion Class Room: T 7
Office: T266 Office Phone: 414-229-4947
Office Time: Tues., 2:30-4:30pm & By Appt. E-mail: RTWRAE @UWM.EDU
CREDITS: 3
Actual Time Investment Expectation: 40 hours of direct classroom instruction; 30 hours rehearsal; 20 hours reading & research (plays, monologues, research materials, & academic articles); 15 hours prep for in-class performances/presentations; 10 hours attending performances; 10 hours reflection & self-assessment. Total: 125 hrs.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed as a continuation of the work in Acting 110 (or 101).The student will delve deeper into the actor’s art and craft, with a practical examination of the actor’s process—from audition to closing night.This process will include study and practice of historical context and theoreticaldevelopment of Modern Realism and reactionary styles that followed Realism into the contemporary world of theatre.Class time will include a variety of exercises and activities which are designed to address: auditions, callbacks, resumés, & headshots; vocal life & physical life of character;script analysis, improvisational work, emotional & sensory recall, problem-solving, rehearsal, observation & analysis of performance, and professional ethics.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To identify and practice tools for the actor’s process.
2. To create your personal acting resumé.
3. To build a standard audition that is “ready to go”.
4. To collaborate with fellow students on the rehearsal & performance of scenes from two different plays.
REQUIRED SCRIPTS:
1. WAITING FOR LEFTY by Clifford Odets You may download and print for free from the course D2L site
2. TBA as we get acquainted.
Additional REQUIRED READING:
Excerpts from a variety of sources, available on D2L, including:
Respect for Acting by Uta HagenThe Actor In You by Robert Benedetti
The Voice Book by Michael McCallionAn Actor Prepares by K. Stanislavski
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (newspaper)Building A Character by K. Stanislavski
American Theatre (magazine)The Actor and His Text by Cicely Berry
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTATIONS
1. Participate fully in each class session. This includes keeping an open mind and positive attitude.
2. Bring with you to class every day materials required to do the work.
3. Dress appropriately for freedom of movement.
4. Get acquainted with a range of local theatre opportunities.
5. Attend local live theatre performances—on campus & off.
6. Complete all homework assignments in a timely fashion. Homework assignments will include reading, light research, rehearsal of exercises and scenes, memorization of text, written analysis and observation, and creative & performance projects.
7. Communicate clearly and respectfully. It is important for you to take charge of your success in the class, and a big part of that is communication. Read, listen, talk to fellow classmates, and talk to your instructor.
8. Take responsibility for getting your work done, even when you are absent from class. Check your D2L page daily; check your UWM e-mail daily. And refer to # 7 again.
9. There will be a final exam project—scene performance-- which is designed to assess your cumulative understanding of course material through practical application in performance.
10. Be brave and bold!. Let your imagination run wild, Take risks, Support your fellow actors, and Keep a positive attitude.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1. Folder or binder to collect handouts & your work. Bring this to class every day.
2. Paper, a pen, and a pencil. Bring these to class every day.
3. A water bottle with a cap or other type of closure.
4. Your script. Once we start rehearsing, bring this to class every day.
5. Appropriate clothes that allow freedom of movement and maintain a sense of decorum. Dressing in layers is usually a good idea. Tennis shoes or bare feet preferred; no flip-flops, no high heels, no boots, no house slippers.
“Every actor has to be a little bit Jesus and a little bit Hitler.”
— Richard Dreyfus, American Actor
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Rationale
This course meets the PSOA criteria as a continuation of study in Acting 110/101 because it:
• Applies historical, critical, and theoretical dimensions of acting in text analysis;
• Asks students to create authentic performances, both solo and in collaboration with an acting partner;
• Provides opportunity to practice a variety of skills, terms, & techniques involved in rehearsal & performance;
• Requires students to analyze their own work as well as the work of fellow classmates and the work of amateur and professional actors in the community.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/STUDENT OUTCOMES
1. Student will perform exercises and activities related to Building a Character.
2. Student will perform a professional-style Standard Audition.
3. Student will create an acting resumé.
4. Student will integrate research into character development and script analysis.
5. Student will perform auditions, callbacks, rehearsal, and production of scenes from two contemporary plays which explore Modern Realism and creation of authentic character.
ASSIGNMENTS
Please refer to the Class Calendar for due dates and possible evaluation points.
1. Worksheet on Objective/Obstacle/Action.
2. Written detailed analysis (2-4pages) that compares and contrasts two theatre performances.
3. Rehearsal & Performance of two Scenes with a partner/s.
4. Self-Evaluation Charts to be completed after performances.
5. Reading & Research.
6. Resumé.
7. Two Auditions: #1= one monologue # 2= Standard Audition (two monologues)
8. Creative projects and/or exercises related to Building A Character.
9. Attendance to locally produced theatre performances on campus and professional.
EVALUATION
How Points Are Earned:
Some assignments will earn credit or no credit; others will earn points. Unsatisfactory assignments may have the option to be re-done. Assignments missed because of absence may not be able to be made up. Late assignments may not be considered for evaluation.
Your final grade will be based on an accumulated number of points and an assessment of non-graded (CR/NC) assignments over the course of the semester. Please refer to the form “Class Calendar & Assignment Tracker” to determine the number of points possible for each assignment. If you need clarification on this, please ask.
There are 1,000 possible points for the entire semester. Letter grades correspond as indicated in the following scale.
Points Grading Scale:There are 1,000 total points possible for the course.
970-1000A+870-909B+770-809C+670-709D+
940-969A840-869B740-769C640-669D
910-939A-810-839B-710-739C-610-639D-
0-609Not Passing
UWM Resources:
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:
“Make voyages—attempt them! There’s nothing else.”
--Tennessee Williams, American playwright
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ASSESSMENT RUBRICS
Attendance & Participation
Evaluation of attendance and participation in the class will be assessed according to the following rubric. All students are expected to contribute to the progress of the class. Students may gain extra credit points for outstanding participation. Students will lose points for conduct disrespectful to other students and/or disruptive to the class. It is not possible to earn points if you are not in attendance. In-class work missed cannot be “made-up”.
Total Points Possible for Attendance & Participation: 450
Rubric for Assessment of Attendance/Participation
Maximum Points Possiblefor Each Class / Criteria for Maximum number of Points
15 / Attend class on time / Engaged, creative, thoughtful, energetic, positive & collaborative
8 / Attend class late / Engaged, creative, thoughtful, energetic, positive & collaborative
6 / Leave class early / Engaged, creative, thoughtful, energetic, positive & collaborative
3 / Excused Absence* / No participation possible.
0 / Unexcused Absence / No participation possible.
*An excused absence will be determined at the discretion of the instructor.
Presentations/Performances
Prepared assignments of presentations and performances will include, but are not limited to, the following: Character Abstract, Analysis Paper, Rehearsal, Contextual Research, Reading, & Worksheets. Please refer to the Class Calendar and Assignment Tracker/Evaluation Rubric for specific number of points per assignment, due dates, and specific criteria for each assignment.
General Rubric for Assessment of Performance and Presentation Assignments
Grade / CriteriaA
90-100%
of total points / Cogent, collaborative (when applicable), creative, original, strong performance style, evocative, interesting, compelling, superb grasp of all performance aspects including preparation & rehearsal, physical & vocal life of character. Interactive (when applicable), evidence of progress made since first rehearsal, evokes emotional response in audience.
B
80-89%
of total points / Clear, well presented, interesting, collaboration is strong (when applicable), involves audience (when appropriate), points, themes, and ideas are clear and communicated well, progress made since first rehearsal, presentation flows in a holistic manner, characters are clearly delineated, solid application of physical & vocal life character choices.
C
70-79% of total points / Presentation is clear, collaboration is not apparent and/or weak (when applicable), attempts to involve audience are limited or non-existent (when applicable), somewhat unfocused or unclear, limited progress made since first rehearsal. Character work apparent, but limited vocal and/or physical expression.
D
60—69%
of total points / Sloppy, thrown together at the last minute, rushed, one person leads the entire group (when applicable), no acknowledgement of audience, generally unfocused, disjointed and not understandable, character work extremely limited, use of gestures extremely limited, vocal work extremely limited.
F
59% or less
of total points / Inappropriate, late, assignment not done, group collaboration non-existent (when applicable) and/or limited, progress since first rehearsal is minimal or non-existent, unfocused or not understandable, character work non-existent, no use of gesture, vocal variation not included.
University Policies & Procedures can be found at this link:
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