THE 141 - Introduction to Acting

Description
This course develops the fundamentals of the actor’s craft. The course is designed to unleash creativity through movement, voice, analysis, and collaborative scene work. This is the actor’s foundation level performance class.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-Theater, A.A. (General Transfer)

Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: None
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: None
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Analyze a character to determine motivations and goals.
Develop a collaborative rehearsal discipline.
Apply principles learned in class to evaluate an actor’s performance in terms of through line of action.
Develop a theater vocabulary.
Demonstrate moments of believable embodiment when acting.

Course Outline:
I. Introductory Acting Exercises

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

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Scene Work/Evaluation: 30-50%

Classroom Exercises: 30-60%

Lecture: 10-20%
Mandatory Course Components:
One Monologue and One 2-3 person Scene
Equivalent Courses:
TH 245

Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course-Specific Placement Test:
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: ARW 100 (IRW97/IRW98), IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 100366
Course CIP Code: 50.05
Maximum Course Enrollment: 20
General Room Request: Open space with standard acting block furniture

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Theater
Discipline: TH
First Term Valid: 08/01/2025
1st Catalog Year: 2025-2026
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Strong background in a variety of acting techniques and a skilled communicator. Experience in teaching fundamentals of acting to novice performers is preferred.

Major Course Revisions: Prefix, Prerequisite
Last Revision Date Effective: 20250302T14:45:28
Course Review & Revision Year: 2029-2030