Intro to Acting

At the conclusion of the semester each student is expected to have a firm grasp on the basic terminology and theories associated with modern acting acting as outlined in the course.  The student is also expected to be able to demonstrateand articulatetheir facility with the coursework through presentation of scenes and exercises in class.  The course objective and foci for study below meet, in part or in full, the following Theatre Department Curriculum Learning outcomes:

·       Functional Knowledge of Theatrical Development:  A working knowledge of the development of theatre through various periods and cultures.

·       Employability:  Sufficient knowledge, skills, discipline, collaborative ability, and motivation to succeed in the job market, graduate school, and related fields.

·       Theoretical/Conceptual Knowledge and Application:  Theoretical/conceptual knowledge of performance and design/technical areas and the ability to put this knowledge safely in to practice for public performance.

·       Professionalism:  A developed sense of professionalism, including collaborative ability, citizenship, ethics, artistic integrity, aesthetics sensibility, cultural awareness and wellness.

1.  Students should be able to articulate and demonstrate (in performance and on paper) their ability to dissect scenes into core elements related to objectives, actions, and given circumstances. [Employability, Theoretical/Conceptual Knowledge and Application]

2.  Students are expected to recognize the dramatic function of a character and translate that function into outwardly focused dramatic action on stage.  This action should include dynamic choices related to staging, with high stakes and logical thought processes that can be perceived by the audience. 

[Functional Knowledge of Theatrical Development, Employability, Theoretical/Conceptual Knowledge and Application]

3.  Students will apply Cohen’s GOTE and Uta Hagen’s 9 questions to document their understanding of key principles related modern acting theory and to development of a character.

[Theoretical/Conceptual Knowledge and Application]

4.  Students will apply concepts related to, sense memory, substitution, personalization, endowment of objects, emotional triggers, and emotional recall, to create dynamic and perceptible character choices within scene work.

5.  Students are expected to manage their time wisely, develop rehearsal schedules, collaborate on blocking and staging of their own scenes, and develop a sense of ensemble within their work groups.  [Professionalism, Employability, Theoretical/Conceptual Knowledge and Application]

Required Text:

                        The Actor in You, Fifth Edition, by Robert Benedetti

                        A Streetcar Named Desire,by Tennessee Williams

Recommended Text:

                  Respect for Acting, by Uta Hagen

Dress Code:        

                        Due to the nature of the class work, each student is expected to wear clothing that is appropriate for the exercises in class. Each student must purchase and wear sweat pants, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes to every class.  No exceptions.  Please ask TODAY (DAY #1) if you have any questions regarding appropriate dress. 

Course Requirements:            (1000 pt. scale)

                         The Instructor reserves the right to adjust or cancel assignments as the course progresses.  If, for some reason, assignments administered total somewhat more or fewer than 1,000 points, the method for obtaining the final grade will remain essentially the same.

Participation                        20%                                    200 points

Quizzes                                  10%                                    100 points

Process Checklist                  5%                                    50   point

Three Entrances                     5%                                    50   points

 Object Ex.                             10%                                    100 points

Monologue                           10%                                    100 points

Neutral Scene                        10%                                    100 points

Scene 1-w/Analysis            15%                                    150 points

Scene 2-w/Analysis            15%                                    150 points

Rehearsals:

             Rehearsal outside of class will be required to fully develop the skills required for class.  This is HOMEWORK!!  I recommend spending at LEAST five hours a week outside of class, in a rehearsal room, working the week’s assignments.  This may require you to schedule and reserve rehearsal rooms.  It is your responsibility to work out a schedule with your scene partner that is mutually conducive.  Be respectful of your classmates schedule, their time is just as valuable as yours.  Your scheduling problems are never a valid excuse for coming to class unprepared.  If there is a problem with a fellow classmate’s unwillingness to rehearse that cannotbe resolved by the two of you, alert me ASAP.  Each partner will be graded separately—However, if you are not rehearsing it will affect the grade of both students. 

Quizzes: 

                         There may be quizzes given at random intervals during the semester to test students on their comprehension of the lecture materials, exercises, plays, or the textbook.  These quizzes are in addition to any quizzes outlined in the syllabus.

Papers:

                         Each student will be expected to write one character analysis paper for each scene study he or she is in.  The specific requirements of each paper will be given, in writing, on the day scenes partners are assigned. 

Final Exam:

                         The final will be a performance of the second scene.

Extra Credit:          

                         There is NO EXTRA CREDIT. 

Late work:

                        Assignments will always be due at the beginning of class.  Any assignment not turned in at the beginning of class will be considered late.   Late work will not normally be accepted.  The instructor reserves the right accept late work at his discretion, but will penalize students 15 points per day on any late assignments. 

Attendance is mandatory.  There are NOunexcused absences.  We have a substantial amount of material to cover and a limited amount of time.  Each day we will be covering or presenting NEW material, and very often it is material that will require the assistance of a partner.  Your absence willaffect the progression and dynamic of the rest of the class.  You will receive a two-point grade deduction off of your final grade for your first absence.  Each subsequent unexcused absence will deduct FIVEpoints from your final average.  There are no exceptions to this policy.

Students with Disabilities:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zone Requirements:

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor’s expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

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Writing Proficiency Requirements:

All students seeking a Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they’ve 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours.  You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113.  Please keep in mind that, once you’ve earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course.  If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Plagiarism Policy:

Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")–whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed
As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

            As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.
            Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.
            We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.
            We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.