THEA 425: Acting IV: Scene Study
Prerequisites: THEA 227 and THEA 327
Credit Hours: (3)
An advanced acting course designed for theatre majors interested in pursuing professional acting. Through the application of scene work students will continue to develop their individual acting process and craft. Focus will be a range of genres, reinforcing rehearsal and performance vocabulary and techniques and deepening ensemble skills.
Note(s): Can be repeated for academic credit.
Detailed Description of Course
1. Focus will be on the preparation and performance of three to four scenes. Instructor
approval of the dramatic material will assure that students will experience a variety
of textual styles and playwrights.
2. A variety of rehearsal techniques will be presented, explored, applied and discussed.
While not all techniques work for all people, full commitment to exploration is the
way to identify what does or does not work.
3. The course will include written assignments or a journal to record the development
of their personal process.
4. Periodic discussions will be held based on assigned readings which concern the
individual's growth as an artist and craftsperson.
5. Students will read one play a week, and record specific responses to each play
in their journal.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
1. Hands-on, experiential workshop format facilitated by instructor.
2.A variety of instructional and inspirational readings in the form of handouts will
be given to the student (i.e., Uta Hagen, Keith Johnstone, Konstantin Stanislavski,
Anne Bogart, Tadashi Suzuki, David Mamet, et al鈥�.)
3. A variety of assigned and chosen scenes which will be a "lab" for applying skills,
techniques, craft and inspiration.
4. Reading of plays to build knowledge of the theatrical canon.
5. Written work which becomes a personal record of growth and learning.
6. Applied lecture by instructor.
7. Application in performance.
8. Requirement of seeing all departmental productions.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1. To craft and refine a professional work ethic through scene performance.
2.To learn, develop, and practice applicable rehearsal and performance techniques
and vocabulary.
3. To reach an organic level of honest connection with a role and with one's scene
partner, further developing ensemble and partner work.
4. To build unique, three-dimensional characters consistent with the playwright's
intent
5. To grow as an actor by recognizing personal acting traps, taking risks, and increasing
range and versatility in performance.
6. To increase knowledge of the theatrical canon through consistent reading of plays.
Assessment Measures
Students will be assessed by:
1. Class attendance and participation.
2. Preparation of performance assignments.
3. Written work
4. A final performed presentation.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
3/2009 Revision Carl Lefko
3/2010 Revision Carl Lefko
July 2010