TH 245 - Introduction to Acting

1. Analyze a character to determine motivations and goals.
2. Develop a series of physical and vocal warm ups.
3. Develop a collaborative rehearsal discipline.
4. Apply principles learned in class to evaluate an actor’s performance in terms of through line of action.
5. Develop a theater vocabulary.
6. Demonstrate moments of believable embodiment when acting.
7. Make effective presentation, formatting, and stylistic choices when developing a communication. 
8. Create a written summary of the main ideas extracted from information gathered. 
9. Use appropriate posture, gesture, eye contact, and vocal expressiveness to effectively communicate information. 
10. Know and use active listening skills.
11. Create and/or organize data and information into meaningful patterns in order to interpret and draw inferences from it. 
12. Use creativity and alternative thinking to brainstorm new ideas and possible solutions to problems and issues. 
13. Work well in teams and with others. 
14. Manage time effectively. 

A.  Acting with the “Other”
B.  Tactics
C.  Expectations

II.  Creating the Character Analysis

III.  “Contentless” Scenes

IV.  Preparing a Role

A.  Rehearsing Techniques Memorization and Cues
B.  Staging the Scene
C.  Making Interesting Choices

V.  Performing Techniques

VI.  Evaluating and Improving

VII.  Technical Skills

A.  Voice Work: Breathing, Resonance, Diction, Liberation, and Purpose
B.  Body Work: Physical Agility, Stamina
C.  Voice and Body Integration

Classroom Exercises: 30-60%

Lecture: 10-20%

I. Essential judgment skills to include:

• Creative Problem Solving Abilities - Students are expected to resolve issues regarding character choices, partnering, and analysis.
• Time-budgeting skills - Students are expected to handle classroom work and production assignments simultaneously.
• Promptness and respect for deadlines -Students are expected to have all work completed by the due date.
• Acceptance of rules - Students will be expected to be bound by the rehearsal rules provided by the director or faculty.
• Respect for classmates - Students will be expected to accept the differences of other classmates and work with others that have different values and beliefs.
• Respect for authority - While the student may have creative input into the process, the decisions made by the director, designers, faculty and staff are expected to be followed.
• Adaptability and flexibility - Students must be willing to accept changes in the theater production schedule and adjust to those new circumstances.

II. Essential physical/neurological functions to include:

• Physical coordination and grace - Students will exhibit the ability to move fluidly to music.
• Physical strength and flexibility - Students will potentially perform duties requiring heavy lifting or gymnastic ability.
• Physical stamina - Students will need to be physically active for long periods of time (often over an hour) without a break.
• Personal hygiene - Students will be routinely in an environment where they are in close proximity to others.
• Vocal projection and Articulation - Students will learn to master spoken language skills.
• Vocal range and singing ability - Students must have command of their speaking and singing ranges.
• Vocal stamina - Students will be asked to repeat the previously mentioned vocal skills on a daily basis.

III. Essential communication skills to include:

Oral, written, and kinesthetic communication skills - Students are expected to speak, read, and write at a college level.

IV. Essential emotional coping skills:

• Willingness to work cooperatively in pairs or small groups -Students will be partnered with other actors during scene work.
• Ability to work independently - Students will be asked to memorize lines and work on projects outside of class/rehearsal time.
• Motivation and commitment to a long term project - Theater requires weeks of ongoing commitment with each individual project and students must commit to the entire project.
• Ability to work under pressure - Public speaking is a paramount skill that the student must develop.
• A healthy self-image - The classroom work requires a sense of competence and confidence be exhibited by the student.
• Acceptance of disappointment - The student must be willing to overcome negative casting/staffing decisions where they have little or no input.
• Willingness to accept responsibility - Students must be able to own the choices they make and not use mitigating factors as an excuse to underperform.

V. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include:

• Ability to learn quickly-and correctly - Staging and choreography require the student to quickly master movement and character choices under the pressure of a fixed deadline.  The same holds true with respect to techniques necessary to realize a designer’s vision.
• Focus and concentration - Students may be required to stay on task for over an hour without a mental break.

VI. Other essential behavioral attributes:

• Initiative - Students will often solve problems that occur without assistance from others.
• Dedication and self-discipline - Students must strive to achieve a physical, vocal or mental ideal and continually work to improve toward this goal.
• Self-confidence - Students will not allow a nervous state to impede their performance.