©Timothy R. Wilson 2001 Revised08.18.15
Theatre Movement IFall 2015
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Monday – Wednesday 2:00 – 4:20DATH 129
Dr. Timothy Wilson RTFP 231 Office Hours: T 3:00 – 5:00 565-4021 And by Appointment
Objectives / Content
Movement Exploration
To develop an awareness of the body as a creative instrument of expression and communication.
To develop a practical understanding and application of fundamental principles of movement in individual, partner and group dynamics.
Physical Preparation
To extend physical skills with reference to strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination and balance.
To develop a practical understanding of the systems of the body in support of movement choices with specific attention to respiratory, circulatory, musculo-skeletal systems as well as the skill of perception to include kinesthetic and proprioceptive awareness.
Sources of Discovery
To develop knowledge and skill in the analysis of movement through observation and personal assessment.
To explore connections among, physical, vocal, emotional and intellectual sources of movement.
To increase the scope of choices in the physicalization of character, non-verbal communication, spatial design and aesthetic perception.
To experience methods of centering in preparation for achieving a committed approach to performance, study, direction and life.
Required Resources:
Text:Readings As Assigned
Theatre / Film Tickets
Blank Face Mask
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Requirements
Attendance
It’s a movement class. If you are not here, you are not involved and we miss you. If you are late for class or leave early, you irritate us and interrupt the flow of our experiences. This community relies on you.
Although the generally accepted policy of three absences during the semester will apply to this course, you are encouraged to attempt perfect attendance. For each absence after three, your grade will be dropped by one letter grade. More than five absences are considered sufficient reason for failure of the course.
Lateness and early exits are not acceptable and will affect your grade. If you are tardy, participation in class will be at the discretion of the instructor.
Students are responsible for material missed and all daily assignments.
10%Participation
The experiential nature of this course requires regular participation and active, focused & positive involvement. Students should wear clothing appropriate for movement and be prepared to work in bare feet. Jewelry, watches, hats, long nails, distracters, etc. are inappropriate. Jeans don’t count as movement clothing. It is the student’s responsibility to consider the nature of the work and to dress appropriately.
In respect for your classmates and your health, please do not smoke before class or during breaks.
40%Laboratory / Performance Assignments / Tests
Experiences designed to enhance movement learning will be assigned regularly and should be submitted promptly. These well include individual and group performance projects as well as observations, written work and additional readings. Written: 15% Performance: 15%
20%Character Mask Performance
Each student will design, develop and present a character based on mask work which emphasizes the clarity of physical communication of an individual, an image or concept. This will include a written critique of performance
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10%Performance Reviews / Assessments
In order to extend the application and understanding of movement concepts, students will be required to attend performance events. A minimum of two professional performance events will be assigned: one live theatre performance and one film performance. Students will be required to develop a written response to each event attended.
*Each student is responsible for the purchase of theatre/film tickets to meet this assignment.
Students are also expected to attend departmental theatre productions. Students receive 1 complimentary ticket for each departmental production.
[Specifics for each written review will be provided at the time of the assignment.]
Additional video performance assignments may be required.
20%Final Project
Character Analysis / Study
Extreme Movement:Each student will develop and present an imaginary / fantasy character emphasizing extreme physical characteristics, movement qualities and personality traits.
Written ReflectionSummary
NOTE:
In order to remain a theatre major and graduate with a degree in theatre, each student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Students should strive for excellence in all of their academic and artistic work.
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Areas of Study (including, but not limited to…)
Understanding of the Movement Potential of the Human Body
Stretching, Strengthening, Focusing
Understanding of the Body / Movement to Communicate Ideas, Emotions, Images, Stories
Experience and Understanding in the Exploration of Space, Time and Force (Energy)
Application of Movement Skills to Character Development
Sources of Character Development: Images, Observations, Imagination Humans, Animals, Objects
Styles of Story Telling through Movement
Silent Film
Exaggerated Soap Opera (Melodrama)
Fairy Tales
Neural Mask Work
Pantomime
Physicalizing Objects, Emotions, Ideas, Relationships
Activities, Situations and Stories
Clown Skills (Guest Artists from New York Goofs)
Stunts and Combat
Partner Scene Work
Group Scene Work
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Teaching / Learning Styles
By the nature of the work in movement for theatre, this course is designed to accommodate many levels of physical ability and fitness. However, you are responsible for your own health. If you have a physical condition which would prevent you from participating fully in the class, you must inform the instructor and verify this condition through consultation with a physician. If this condition prevents you from participating in the class for more than four class meetings you may be requested to withdraw from the class. As with any physical preparation or exploration, some muscular “awareness” may become evident. During movement exploration, the body is being activated in new ways and may call on increased effort from certain muscle groups and joints. Although soreness and fatigue may be part of physical learning, pain is not appropriate. If at any time you experience a sudden or sharp pain, you should ease out or stop the activity and inform the instructor.
Because of the interactive style of this course and the study of human movement, physical interaction is part of the expectation in both teaching and learning. Students should maintain respect for each other and the instructor throughout the learning process. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from the course.
Behavioral Expectations Chewing gum, eating, drinking or smoking are inappropriate in a movement class and may result in the student being dismissed from the class and will result in a lowered grade. Water is permitted.
Student Behavior in the Classroom: Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at
Responsibilities for Time Management Dance and Theatre students are expected to budget and organize their time and efforts in order to meet both their academic and production commitments satisfactorily and on time. The faculty and staff recognize that the academic and production assignments within the Department, as well as outside employment and other obligations, sometimes impose conflicting pressures on Dance and Theatre students. One of the principal responsibilities of each student is to carefully identify and monitor the commitments that comprise his/her departmental assignments and outside obligations. It is important to keep in mind that production work and outside obligations do not constitute an excused absence from Dance or Theatre classes or from the completion of any required class assignments.
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Americans with Disabilities Act Notice
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeing accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. Students are strongly encouraged to deliver letters of accommodation during faculty office hours or by appointment. Faculty members have the authority to ask students to discuss such letters during their designated office hours to protect the privacy of the student. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.