Course Syllabus - Fall 1999

ATHE 170 - Beginning Acting

PROFESSOR: Dewey Scott-Wiley

OFFICE: RM 137; 641-3724 HOME: 748-0475

Description: The various aspects of acting are intensely examined and explored. Topics include voice, movement, characterization, focus, concentration, sensory awareness, observation, relaxation, emotional investment, scene and character analysis, marketing and audition techniques.

Required Text: Acting is Believing by Charles McGaw & Larry D. Clark

Course Competencies: After have taken this course you should have a working knowledge of the following:

a. How to break down and analyze a scene.

    1. How to break down and analyze a character.
    2. How to develop and use the actorÕs two main tools: voice and body.
    3. How to create and relate to an environment.
    4. How to connect to other actors on stage.
    5. How to actively pursue a characterÕs objective.
    6. How to emotionally connect to a character.
    7. How to focus and concentrate on stage.
    8. How to comprehend basic theatre vocabulary.
    9. How to make intelligent choices based on the above.
    10. How to prepare for an audition.

Required Activities:

    1. Attend regular class sessions.
    2. Attend and participate in the two on-campus auditions.
    3. Read two assigned plays:

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues by Jeff Goode

    1. Participate in all class exercises, scene and monologue work, and improvisations.
    2. Work on and perform an assigned scene twice.
    3. Work on and perform a monologue twice for an "audition."

g. Complete five written assignments.

Attendance:

Because acting is a participatory art, attendance, preparedness and participation are absolutely necessary. No one will be allowed more than 3 unexcused or 4 total absences. Any additional absence will result in a drop in letter grade. More than 6 absences will result in failure.

Evaluation:

Written Assignments: 5@100 300 points 901-1000 =A

Scenes: 2@100 200 points 801-900 =B

Monologues: 2@100 100 points 701-800 =C

Attendance: 100 points 601-700 =D

Participation: 100 points 0-600 =F

TOTAL 1000 possible points

If you have a learning or physical disability which might affect your performance in this class, please inform your instructor as soon as possible and Linda Matthews, Coordinator of Disabled Student Services (ext. 3317) in order to verify your status and provide you with appropriate assistance.

Schedule:

Date Activity / Assignment Due

8/24 Course Orientation / Survey

8/26 Ice Breakers / Physical Work / Cold Reading

8/31 Chapters 1 & 2 / Physical Work

9/2 Improvisation

9/7 The Glass Menagerie / Assign Written Exercise #1

9/9 Chapters 3 & 4 / Vocal Work

9/14 Assignment #1 Due / Assign Scenes

9/16 Scene Work

9/21 No Class

9/23 Chapters 5 & 6 / Scene Work

9/28 Scene Work / Assign Written Exercise #2

9/30 Scene Work

10/5 Scene Work / Monologue Approval Deadline

10/7 Perform Scenes / Assignment #2 Due

10/12 Chapters 6 & 7 / Improvisation

10/14 FALL BREAK - no class

10/19 Improvisation

10/21 The Eight: Reindeer Monologues / Assign Written Exercise #3

10/26 Monologue Work

10/28 Monologue Work

11/2 Monologue Work / Assignment #3 Due

11/4 Chapters 8 & 9 / Monologue Work / Assign Written Exercise #4

11/9 Monologue Work

11/11 Chapters 10 & 11/ Monologue Work

11/16 Perform Monologues / Assignment #4 Due

11/18 Chapters 12 -14 / Improvisation

11/23 Improvisation / Assign Written Exercise #5

11/25 THANKSGIVING - No Class

11/30 Chapters 15 & 16 / Scene and Monologue Work

12/2 Last Class Day / Scene and Monologue Work

FINAL Perform Monologues and Scenes / Assignment #5 Due