THE 213 – FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING

COURSE SYLLABUS: FALL 2013

T/H 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER #126

Instructor: Samantha Grace

Office Location: Performing Arts Center 116A (costume shop)
Office Hours: Wednesday 10:00 AM-12:00(and by appointment)
Office Phone: 903-886-5240
Office Fax: 903-468-3250
University Email Address: [email protected]

COURSE INFORMATION
Required Textbook:
The Stanislavski System by Sonia Moore
This book is avalible at the University Bookstore and on-line at Amazon.com.

Required Viewing:
The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged)
by Jess Borgeson, Adam Long, and Daniel Singer
directed by Samantha Grace
produced by the University Playhouse at Texas A&M – Commerce
Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Saturday, Oct. 12 @ 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13 @ 3 p.m.

Kiss me, Kate

by Cole Porter
directed by Joe Reynolds
produced by the University Playhouse at Texas A&M – Commerce
November5-10

you may make advance reservations by phone at any time by calling 903-886-5900

*Note: Please understand that viewing a performance of both of the University Playhouse shows
listed above is an absolute requirement of the course. Part of becoming a skilled actor is
viewing other actors’ successes and challenges. Clear your schedule now!

Catalog Course Description:

This course focuses on introducing and developing the basic acting techniques of
characterization, role analysis, stage movement, voice, and body control.

Course Introduction:
Welcome! This course is required of all Theatre majors and minors at Texas A&M University –
Commerce and aims to teach specific fundamental techniques associated with the acting
process per the Stanislavski System. The methodologies used to reach determined
objectives/learning outcomes are as follows: guided discussions of readings and performances,
rehearsals, workshops, performances, small group and large group activities, written and
creative assignments, and quizzes.
This is a class that will be challenging, invigorating, and participatory. Please consider yourself
to now be a part of a workshop rather than a classroom, as it is usually understood. Begin by
considering yourself to be part of a learning community where members support one another
with suggestions and constructive criticism. We are here to support and learn from each other.
There will be no negative criticism or hostile actions with our partners! Learning, observing, and
sharing are central to this course. Active participation in discussion and presentation of projects
within the class is not only welcome, it is an essential requirement. Presentations must be well
prepared and shared with the understanding that questions and discussion will follow. The
ongoing critique of performance is crucial to everyone’s learning process. You should be aware
that the vast majority of class time is composed of activities in which you are REQUIRED to
actively participate. You will be up on your feet and moving almost every single day. If you have
no plans or interest in sincerely exploring the artistic process of acting and accomplishing
significant growth as a performer, this is not the class for you.

Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of this semester, the student will be able to:
1. understand and utilize the fundamental foundations of the Stanislavski’s approach to realistic
acting for the stage.
2. display effective skills in working with others via a disciplined, collaborative, professional,
respectful, and productive approach throughout the rehearsal and performance processes.
3. take on acting challenges to create rounded characters, and control body and voice as one.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Instructional / Methods / Activities Assessments:
PARTICIPATION AND GROWTH (25%): Note that attendance alone does not constitute
participation. Participation is a major part of this course. This is a “doing” class. We will be up on
our feet moving and exploring. This is an acting class; you must then do the action of acting.
This is all part of you participation grade. If this is something you don’t want to do, then I would
advise you to drop the class now. You will get out of this class what you put into it. It is up to you
how many points you have toward your participation. *Note that the plays of the University
Playhouse are also part of your participation grade. Previous acting experience will not
guarantee you a good grade in this course. Significant growth and a genuine attempt within the
class will. This is a class that regards self-competition as a goal. You and your peers will arrive
at various levels, and you will leave at different levels.
Participation will be calculated daily and Growth reflected upon/tabulated at the end of
the semester. Under normal circumstances, if you are scheduled to work with a partner(s) on a
day you are absent, your participation grade will be reduced double the amount it normally
would for an absence. Responsibility to the people you are working with is essential for success
in this class. Each student will begin with a mid-passing Participation and Growth grade of an
80. Strong effort or lack of effort during each class and over the course of the semester as a
whole will either raise or lower that grade.

*Measures Course Learning Outcomes #1, #2, and #3.

QUIZZES (15%): There will be three short quizzes given in this class that will generally focus on
the assigned readings, lectures, activities, etc. Questions about the required viewing of
University Playhouse productions may also be covered on these quizzes. Quizzes will be
comprised of matching, multiple choice, true/false, and/or short answer questions. Telling me
that you were absent after the fact will not excuse you from a quiz. You must contact me before
your absence.

*Measures Course Learning Outcome #1.

OPEN CHARACTER SCENE (15%): In pairs, students will rehearse, workshop, and perform a
memorized Open Character Scene that has been selected by the instructor. The Open
Character Scene will be rehearsed, workshopped (worth 5%), and presented as an improved
performance (worth 10%). The length of the scenes will vary depending on the choices made by
the actors but will generally run around 3-4 minutes. Further criteria for this assignment will be
given at a later date.

*Measures Course Learning Outcomes #1, #2, and #3.

MONOLOGUE (15%): Each student will work individually and perform a

memorized monologue that is approximately 2 minutes long. The performance
will be rehearsed, workshopped (worth 5%), and presented as an improved performance (worth
10%). Further criteria for this assignment will be given at a later date.

*Measures Course Learning Outcomes #1 and #3.

CHARACTERIZATION COLLAGE PRESENTATION (5%): Each student will create one

characterization collage of at least twenty images. The collage will be based on the character
that the student is portraying in the Monologue. The collage will be presented to
the class via a formal presentation by the student. This is a creative project that requires you to
analyze your character in abstract and concrete terms in order to yield a more truthful portrayal
onstage. This is an individual activity. More specific criteria will be discussed at a later date.

*Measures Course Learning Outcome #1and 3.

SCRIPTED SCENE PERFORMANCE (25%): This will consist of a 5-10 minute scripted scene
performance in which you work with another person. The scene will be one of yours and your
partners choosing. The scripted scene will be memorized, rehearsed, workshopped (worth 5%),
and shown as an improved performance (worth 15%). Further criteria for this assignment will be
given at a later date.

*Measures Course Learning Outcomes #1, #2, and #3.

.
Grading:
GRADING SCALE: The following grading scale will be used to determine all individual grades
as well as the student’s overall grade in the course:
A 90%-100% (Exceptional Quality Work)
B 80%-89% (Above Average Quality Work)
C 70%-79% (Average Quality Work)
D 60%-69% (Below Average Quality Work)
F 0%-59% (Fails to Meet Acceptable Expectations in Quality of Work)

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
WORKING EMAIL REQUIREMENT: It is a course expectation that you have a working email
address that you check daily. If you have not already acquired an email address through the
university or otherwise, please make arrangements to do so before the next class meeting.
There may be times that I need to contact you with important information and email is often the
speediest and easiest way of doing so.

WRITTEN WORK: Unfortunately, papers/projects do occasionally get lost. Please, for your
sanity, save your work on a disc or thumb drive, etc. Do not depend on your paper staying on
the hard drive of any University computer, as it will be deleted, altered, or worse – turned in by
someone else as their work! Be aware that it is a course expectation that you keep copies of
your assignments until you receive your final grade for the semester.

COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT

Contacting Samantha Grace:
Please feel free to visit me during my office hours at any time during the semester. I am here to
help! If you can’t make my office hours due to a scheduling conflict, please set up an
appointment with me. The easiest and most reliable way to contact me is via email. I check it
fairly frequently.

Student Resources:
Department of Mass Media, Communication and Theatre
Performing Arts Center (PAC) #101
Phone: 903-886-5346 (Main Office)

COURSE AND UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES/POLICIES

Course Specific Policies and Procedures:
CLOTHING: Dress for maximum freedom and movement. You may occasionally be lying and
rolling on the ground. Fair warning: the floor may or may not be spotless. Wear comfortable
shoes that you can move around in or bring other shoes. Heels, boots, short skirts, tight jeans,
and low-cut shirts will all restrict movement (and consequently restrict your ability to participate
in class). Do not wear jewelry that will affect your freedom of movement or speech. No hats are
allowed to be worn during warm-ups, activities, performances, etc. Also, please keep your hair
securely away from your face during all exercises, workshops, and performances in class.

ATTENDANCE: You should realize the vital importance of daily student attendance for
developing new skills and understanding new material. You are expected to attend every class
meeting. I am very strict about this. There is no way to make up a missed acting class! If you do
not attend class, you may be leaving your partner stranded if in-class time is devoted to partner
work, which it often will be! You cannot learn if you are not in class. DON”T MISS CLASS!

LATE ARRIVALS: To further foster a high level of commitment—and because the work we will
be doing this semester will involve intensive focus—the class will adopt the following late entry
policy. Students must be on time for every class. Entering a class late or leaving early is
disruptive to the flow of the class and indicative of a less-than disciplined/committed artist.
Please be on time out of consideration to your learning process and the processes of others.
The class will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m.!

CELL PHONES AND LAPTOPS: NO LAPTOPS OR CELL PHONES! PERIOD! You can go an
hour and a half without googling something on your phone. If you cannot go an hour and a half
without your phone, then college may not be the place for you.

LATE WORK: Workshops and Performances – Under normal circumstances, a missed

workshop or performance may not be made up. Sorry, you missed the boat.

EXTRA CREDIT: there is no extra credit offered in this class

ADAPTATION OF ASSIGNMENTS: Due to the fluid nature of this performance-based class,

some assignments/scheduling may need to be adapted. All changes will be announced prior to
implementation.

FOOD, DRINK, GUM, and SMOKING: Please do not bring food or drinks into the classroom at
any time (exception: you may bring bottled water with you to class). As this is a course focusing
on practical performance, chewing gum is not allowed at any time during class. Students are not
allowed to smoke during class time – even when in individual/partner rehearsals at an outside
location.

ARTISTIC CONTENT: Writers and performers have explored a wide range of themes and
viewpoints, using a variety of artistic approaches. Pieces will be selected by the students and
instructor in order to aid their accomplishments in relation to the course learning outcomes. The
pieces chosen and presented may contain ideas, language, or depictions of behaviors/images
that you personally find offensive or otherwise disturbing. Try to concentrate on the performance
rather than your opinion about the material in such an instance. There is also a policy in this
class that a performer is required to inform his/her audience that the performance piece may be
offensive to the audience. Any class member is always welcome to leave the classroom for that
particular performance and return afterward in this case.

PERFORMANCE MATERIAL: All performance material will come from plays appropriate to the
unit under study. No film scripts will be used in this class for performance purposes. This is a
course in acting for the stage – not film. Although there is significant crossover, these two art
forms are different in a number of ways. Further, when choosing material, a piece found on the
Internet or that is not part of an actual play script will not be acceptable. In order to work on a
selection in this class, you must have access to the entire play from which the piece comes.

University Specific Policies and Procedures:

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: This course adheres strictly to the college’s guidelines for
Academic Dishonesty printed in the Student’s Guide Handbook. Plagiarism, cheating, or
otherwise representing another’s work or ideas as your own without proper attribution will not be
tolerated. All work must be new and created for this class during this semester by you. It is your
responsibility to ensure that you understand the definition of Academic Dishonesty at Texas
A&M-Commerce. If such an instance occurs, the student will receive an automatic zero for the
work in question, and I will immediately report the incident to the Head of the Department. (You
should be aware that this could result in dismissal from school without credit for the semester.)

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 have a
disability requiring an accommodation, please contact:
Office of Student Disability Resources and Services
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Gee Library
Room 132
Phone (903) 886-5150 or (903) 886-5835
Fax (903) 468-8148
[email protected]
STUDENT CONDUCT: All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common
decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment. (See Student’s
Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct.)

COURSE OUTLINE / CALENDAR

Tentative Schedule: (subject to change at the discretion of the instructor)
*Tuesday, August 27
Introduction to Course
Pre-test
*Thursday, August 29
Warm-up Activities
Activity/Discussion – What is acting?
Homework-the most interesting person-you
*Auditions for Compleat works of William Shakespeare Abridged
*Tuesday, September 3
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
The most interesting person presentation
Overview of Open Character Scene Projects/Partners Assigned
*Thursday, September 5
Warm-up Activities
Open Character Scene Rehearsals
Homework-read chapter :The Method of Physical Actions in The Stanislavski System
Tuesday, September 10
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Open Character Scene Rehearsals
*Thursday, September 12
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Open Character Scene Rehearsals
Homework-Read chapter: Elements of an Action(and all sub-headings) in The Stanislavski
System
*Tuesday, September 17
Quiz #1over The Stanislavski System
Lecture on Characterization Collage Presentation
Open Character Scene Rehearsals
*Thursday, September 19
Warm-up Activities
Open Character Scene Workshops #1
*Tuesday, September 24
Warm-up Activities
Open Character Scene Workshops #2
*Thursday, September 26
Warm-up Activities
Open Character Scene Performances
Overview of Monologue Project/Selection of Monologue
*Tuesday, October 1
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises/ Improv
Lecture Characterization Collage Presentation
Homework- have Monologue Selections
*Thursday, October 3
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Monologue Approval
**Due: Monologue Selections
*Tuesday, October 8
Warm-up Activities
Characterization Activities
*Opening night of Compleat works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) make sure you have a ticket!
*Thursday, October 10
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Monologue Rehearsals
*Tuesday, October 15
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Monologue Rehearsals
Homework- Read chapter: Analysis through Events and actions in The Stanislavski System
*Thursday, October 17
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Monologue Rehearsals
Homework- Read chapter: The Super-Objective and the Through Line of Actions in The
Stanislavski System and Characterization Collage and Developed Presentation
*Tuesday, October 22
Characterization Collage Presentations
Lecture
Monologue Rehearsals
*Thursday, October 24
Warm-up Activities
Monologue Workshops #1
Homework: Read chapter: The Actor’s Physical Apparatus in The Stanislavski System
*Tuesday, October 29
Warm-up Activities
Monologue Workshops #2
*Thursday, October 31
Warm-up Activities
Contemporary Monologue Workshops #3
Overview of Scripted Scene Projects/Partners Assigned
*Tuesday, November 5
Quiz #2 (over The Stanislavski System and Compleat works…)
Warm-up Activities
Monologue Performances
Opening night if Kiss me, Kate. (have your tickets)
*Thursday, November 7
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Overview of Final Project
Improv
*Tuesday, November 12
Warm-up Activities
Scripted Scene Rehearsals
*Thursday, November 14
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Scripted Scene Rehearsal
*Tuesday, November 19
Warm-up Activities
Lecture/Exercises
Homework: read hand-out
Scripted Scene Workshop #1
*Thursday, November 21
Quiz #3 (over- Hand out and Kiss me, Kate)
Scripted Scene Workshop #2
*Tuesday, November 26- Thursday, November 28-Thanksgiving Break!
*Tuesday, December 3
Warm-up Activities
Scripted Scene Final Performances
*Thursday, December 5
Scripted Scene Final Performances
Post-Test
*December 9-13 finals week
NO CLASS
You last project is your final.