An actor honors and bears witness to humanity by embodying and giving voice to the human element in the landscape of theatrical collaboration. Investigating the impulses and intuitions that make us unique as individuals can also identify that which constitutes our shared humanity. Through exploration of the fundamentals of performance, students address the actor’s body, voice, and imagination as instruments for creating drama, conflict, action and story. Course work includes: relaxation techniques, improvisation, basic sensory and imagination exercises, character analysis, and beginning text work. We will read and discuss several plays throughout the term, as well as theory.
Learning Outcomes:
The primary expectation in this class is active engagement and investment into whatever exercise or activity is being attempted. That means bringing just as much attention and curiosity to the work of others as to your own. The work basically includes:
1) Warming up – we do this almost every class.
2) Sense Memory – three or four different exercises.
3) Objective/Obstacle – prepared improvisation.
4) Open scenes – fun w/choosing & playing actions.
5) Character Interviews – this will involve research.
6) Scene Work – requires 2-6 hours outside class rehearsal per week.
7) Discussion & written reactions to plays and the material provided.
8) Various improvisations and games throughout.
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Corequisites: Fulfillment of a Dance/Drama Lab is a requirement of this course.
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 4
T/F 10:30AM - 12:20PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Course Frequency: Every Term
Categories: All courses , Drama , Fully In-Person
Tags: acting , performance , theatre