TR 9:30-10:50
---To lead an effective twenty-minute physical warm-up.
---To begin competency in stage combat, using unarmed stage combat techniques.
---To use stage terminology for body positions and directions to communicate with directors.
---Choosing to change habitual movement and directing your movement to a more neutral alignment in order to create character movement choices.
---To release physical tensions accumulated throughout your lifetime.
---Re-learning the poise and ease of movement you had as a child.
---Learn basic critical movement terms used to evaluate your own and other’s performance choices.
---Heighten our awareness of both ourselves and the world around us.
---To use basic improvisation techniques to develop a character.
Journal Assignments: You need to get a spiral notebook, COLLEGE RULED, standard 8 1/2by 11” size to use as a class journal. Put your name in the front inside cover. You may find it helpful to get a spiral with pockets. OR If you would rather type your journal entries, please get a folder with brads or a small hardcover binder and put your journal entries in the folder to turn in. Twenty lines typed with one inch margins equal a complete journal entry. You need to bring your journal to every class meeting. Upon entering the classroom get your journal out, read the topic on the chalkboard and write it down at the top of the page. Then you need to write on that topic. The journal will be taken up every two weeks. Three entries per week is the minimum journal requirement. Journal entries need to be at half a page handwritten and will consist of the following:
1. Classroom topics---beginning of every class.
2. Reading assignments: For every reading assignment you need to have a corresponding journal response. This should not be a summary of the reading material but a personal response to it.
3. Observation exercises: Each week I will hand out observation exercises or journal assignments.
4. An entry may include any observations about the class, tests or outside activities relative to the class. (Plays or workshops attended at ACTF for example or plays seen here or elsewhere._
5. Be honest and use some critical thinking skills in writing your journal, but limit the “Dear Diary”, personal entries.
5. No late journals accepted. No exceptions. If you are ill, ask someone to bring it to class for you.
Critiques of productions: You are required to write a two-page typed critique of Lobby Hero and two of the one-acts. The critique will evaluate the movement choices of one actor following guidelines I will hand out before the production.
You are required to see the shows in performance. If you have an emergency you may watch a dress rehearsal. Work is NOT AN EMERGENCY. If you are on running crew, come to the run through before technical rehearsal or with permission of the stage manager and director watch the dress rehearsals or other run throughs. Dress rehearsals are for additional viewing. If cast in the show you are still responsible for writing a critique. You have the choice of critiquing one of the other actors’ movement or your own with my permission.
Chapter tests: You will have at least two tests: One on Stage Combat and Alexander Movement Technique and one comprehensive final exam.
Stage Combat Scene: Your midterm project will include a short, six-blow, no-contact stage combat scene with a partner.
Class Warm - Up: You will be assigned a class day to be the warm up leader. This is a graded assignment. You may use music (with my approval). The warm up must be at least 20 minutes and no more than 25 minutes in length, engage the class, and utilize the terms, exercises and techniques of the class.
Dress for success in movement class!!!!!!!!!The majority of your grade in this class is your participation. You cannot fully participate dressed inappropriately. NO JEANS OR CUT OFF JEAN SHORTS. No pantyhose, dresses, skorts, hard-sole shoes, high heels, NO FLIPPIN’ FLIP FLOPS! Failure to dress appropriately will result in earning an F in class participation for the day. You need to wear loose, comfortable clothing: shorts or sweat pants, tights, or leggings, a sports bra is recommended for the women and an athletic supporter for the men and tennis shoes for all. Your shorts or pants need to stay on without benefit of a belt. Please do not bring food or drink into the theatre. Water in a covered bottle is acceptable. Upon entering the theatre, begin to warm-up, read the topic and write in your journal.
Final grade is:
20% = attendance, class participation grade
20% = journal grades & warm-up leader
30% = test grades & pop quizzes
10% = critiques
20% = final exam & combat
I reserve the right to change or omit any assignments.
Much of the work of this class is partner or group work. To complete most assignments you must attend class. If you are absent the day an assignment (class performance or test) is due, you are assigned an F as a grade for that assignment. You may make up the performance only if:
A. Upon return to class you bring a doctor’s excuse.
B. You call before class on the day the assignment, test or performance is due.
C. You schedule the makeup during the phone conversation. More than four absences, excused or unexcused, and you will by asked to drop the class. The last day to drop is March 22 by 4:00 p.m. If the drop date has passed, I will drop you from the class with a grade of F.
By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and authenticity and educational purposes.
The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. ---Student Handbook
Safety considerations and responsibilities:
1. It is your responsibility to know your physical capabilities and limitations. Most of the exercises we do in this class are passive stretching and are used to warm up the body. We will do a little cardio/aerobic exercise and yoga. You need to listen to your body and wear proper clothing to prevent pain and injury.
2. Watch your knees. This safety tip refers to several knee alignment positions. You don’t want your knees to extend past your toe line when performing exercises such as squats or lunges. When the knee extends past the toe it places a great deal of stress on the tendons and ligaments that cross the front of your kneecap and extend above and below the knee possibly over stretching ligaments and leaving your joint vulnerable to injury. Keeping your knee right over the ankle is best. When kneeling on the floor you should not have your knee in contact with a hard surface. You also want to make sure that your knees and toes face the same direction. This sounds silly, but when moving laterally or squatting, many times knees are facing forward while our toes point outward. This position places stress on the lateral ligaments of the knee leaving it vulnerable to injury.
3. Keep your joints soft. This does not mean to assume a Gumby position. This means do NOT lock or hyper extend your joints. Keeping a slight bend in the joint helps prevent unnecessary stress. Joints to focus on that are commonly locked out are the knees, elbows and shoulders.
4. Protect your back. Keep your spinal column in neutral alignment. Neutral takes the strain off your lower back. Also strengthening abdominal and lower back muscles can help prevent lower back pain. Stretching with poor postural alignment can place stress on muscles, tendons, and ligaments.