Dynamics in Acting: Movement II

Course Description

Advanced daily practical exercise in physical disciplines to develop concentration, imagination, and the body as the actor's instrument. Prerequisite: THR 221; B.F.A. in Acting and B.F.A. in Musical Theatre Students only.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

Course Goals

  • Develop a heightened physical vocabulary to create a foundation of tools to use when interpreting a character.
  • Develop a heightened sense of listening and responding while improvising.
  • Develop a kinesthetic and spatial awareness, as well as an awareness and appreciation towards our own unique body.
  • Appreciate other peer’s work and have an honest conversation about it
  • Enrich and develop personal point of views about the work to shape a new one
  • Spark creativity, physical and dramatic imagination.
  • Explore the use of Mime and Masks as a training tool for physical characterization and storytelling.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to work in an ensemble.
  • Develop a physical vocabulary to use when interpreting a character.
  • Students will be able to develop their time management skills.
  • Strengthen dialogue and creative capacity building skills in order to partner effectively with different people.
  • Create new content by devising with a mix of prompts.
  • Learn basic acrobatic skills.
  • Critically analyze their own experiences when sharing and performing.
  • Tell stories with their bodies without using text.
  • Improvise scenes

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Attendance100 points
Acro25 points
Found Object50 points
Mime Performance50 points
Choreography, Advanced Rhythms and Poetry25 points
Larval Masks25 points
Character Masks25 points
Final Mask Performance50 points
Self-Assessments 1, 2 (25 points each) *50 points
Mask Performance Paper50 points
Performance Review #125 points
Performance Review #225 points

Grading Scale:

Percentage Letter Grade
93-100%A
90-92%A-
87-89%B+
83–86%B
80–82%B-
77–79%C+
73–76%C
70–72%C-
67–69%D+
63–66%D
60–62%D-
59% and belowF

Attendance/Participation:

Due to the demand of the collective creation nature of this course, it is crucial that students 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 50-point reduction 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 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.
  • Pen/pencil to take notes
  • Water bottle with lid
  • Small Towel
  • Yoga Mat
  • Resistance Bands set
  • Baby Wipes (optional)

Scholarly Perspectives

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