Acting Fundamentals for Stage and Screen

Course Description

Understanding and appreciation of the problems, demands, and disciplines of the actor's art, including works for both stage and film. Prerequisite: Non-Drama majors.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Develop a vocabulary to create a foundation of tools to use when interpreting a character, a scene, and/or a script.
  • Develop an awareness to one’s own preference of style.
  • Develop kinesthetic and spatial awareness
  • Appreciate other peer’s work and have an honest conversation about it
  • Spark creativity,
  • Students will be able to work in an ensemble.
  • Develop a vocabulary to use when interpreting a character.
  • Be able to prepare and rehearse a scene.
  • Create new content by devising with a mix of prompts.
  • Critically analyze their own experiences when sharing and performing.
  • Tell stories with their bodies and with text.
  • Improvise scenes
  • Develop personal routines to warm-up and be ready

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Participation (Class Exercises, Discussions, and Feedback) and Growth24%
Warm-Up5%
Open Scene10%
Partner Scene30%
Beginning-of-Semester Questionnaire1%
Performance Reflection 15%
Performance Reflection 25%
Mid-Term Check-In5%
Scene Score Part 15%
Scene Score Part 25%
Final Reflection5%

Grading Scale:

Percentage Letter Grade
90-100 PointsA
A-
B+
80-89 PointsB
B-
C+
70-79 PointsC
C-
D+
60-69 PointsD
D-
>60 PointsF

Attendance/Participation:

Due to the demand of the collective creation nature of this course, it is crucial that you attend and arrive on time to class. If you’re absent, your peer’s work might be affected.

You may have 3 excused absences due to an emergency, severe illness, death in the family, doctor’s appointment or any other issue that prevents you from attending class. Every absence after those 3 absences will result in a full grade point deduction from your final grade. You’re responsible for material covered during those classes.

If you know that you will be late to class, please inform the instructor and the TA via email prior to the start of the class. Arriving late to 2 classes will be the equivalent to 1 Absence.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • Notebook or Journal.
  • Water bottle (with lid)
  • Pen/pencil to take notes for every class

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.