“Acting is a process involving certain transformations: A person is transformed into an actor; an actor is transformed into a character. This process is not sudden or magical; rather, it is graduate and deliberate.” ~Robert Cohen
ADVANCED ACTING
Throughout the school year, students have the opportunity to build on skills they learned in Theatre Arts. This class requires certain discipline and student focus on the craft of acting and directing. Learning about theatre is all in the doing. To that end, this class is very project oriented with many opportunities for students to apply different theories and techniques of acting/directing to their work as the year progresses. Students will also be responsible for certain reading and written assignments.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- To further develop the actors craft and process for the young actor.
- To practice the tenets of an actor workshop in the classroom: vocal and physical exercises, rehearsals, and constructive criticism.
- To provide opportunities for students to see, and to participate in live theatre.
- To understand and be able to analyze the dramatic structure of plays.
- To develop constructive and analytical criticism of live plays.
Classroom requirements:
This class requires a lot of physical movement, which necessitates that students wear clothing that does not restrict their movement. If a student is not prepared to do the exercises and does not have a valid excuse to not participate, their participation grade will be affected.
This is a performance- based class. Your presence is necessary and needed for all work we do in class. If you have major conflicts with any of the performance dates please let me know ASAP. Don’t ask the whole group to scarifce their good work because you are unable to keep track of your calendar.
You will be given scripts to work from in class. Put these scripts in a folder when you are not using them. These scripts are the same as your textbook. You MUST have your script with you in order to participate in the rehearsal process. If you come to class and you do not have your script then you will be coming to class unprepared. DON’T STAND UP your scene partner – keep track of your script.
After-school rehearsals:
You may be required to attend a few after-school rehearsals that will be called for certain performances. Notice of after-school rehearsals will be posted as soon as their need is determined. ADVANCED ACTING STUDENTS will have at least one after-school rehearsal in February for the Children’s play and another one in May for the Play Festival. There may also be one called for the scene competition. Unless there is a major change in the schedule that we do not have control over (snow days, administrator whim) you will have at least 3 weeks notice of this rehearsal time, so you can adequately plan. These rehearsals are mandatory. When you miss a rehearsal you hold everyone else up, therefore, if you miss any of these rehearsals without proper notification (A note and phone call with your parental figure) your grade will be deducted 10 percent. Your parents will also be notified of your absence.
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS and DUE DATES
DUE FIRST SEMESTER
Letter of Intention – August 12
Practice Performance I – September 5
Statue Project Concept - August 29
Monologue chosen – September 9
Play Reflection 1 – September 16
Class Reflection 1 – September 23
Dress Rehearsal for Statue September 19
LIVING STATUE – September 21
Practice Performance II– October 17
Monologue Panel October 28
Class Reflection 2 – November 1
Play Reflection 2 October 31
Observation Nov. 4
Etude Nov. 12
Practice Performance III– December 4
Scene Competition week of December 9
Play Reflection 3– December 16 (or earlier)
Class Reflection 3 – December 18
ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION:
Students are required to see three live play performances each semester and to write a reflection on the show they saw.
Due Dates for Play reflections:
Lord of the Flies (Class field trip) Reflection is due September 16.
Own Choice (may be a North Theatre production)
NOTE: These may be handed in any time before the due date. The due date is for grade recordning purpose. It is recommended that you hand in your reflection within 48 hours of seeing the play. Second reflection is due October 31.
Third Reflection NO LATER than December 16, 2013.
What your PLAY REFLECTION should look like:
Basically your reflection should be about 3 short, but detailed paragraphs long. In the first paragraph you want to address the basics – What play you saw, where and when you saw it, and a sentence that addresses your general response to the play. The second paragraph should be a 2-3 sentence summary of what the play was about. The third and final paragraph should have 4-5 sentences that give your impression of the production. This can include a discussion of the acting, a connection of what you saw on stage to what you are learning in class, one particular actor, the set or costume design or any combination thereof. Below is an example:
Theatre Arts Play Reflection/THE WIZARD OF OZ
NAME: Maggie Smith
On Sunday, Dec. 23, my family and I had the opportunity to see the Cardinal Stage production of THE WIZARD OF OZ at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre. It was a really fun show with great singing and dancing, but I thought some of the costumes were uninspired.
The musical play is just like the movie! The familiar story of Dorothy Gale who runs away from home and gets caught up in a tornado and lands in Munchkinland, and so begins her journey to return home after a visit to the Wizard of Oz, and the friends and foe she meets along the way. By plays end Dorothy has rescued those under the spell of the wicked witch, helped her friends achieve their desire – a brain, a heart and courage, and with her own fervent wish “There is no place like home!” returns to her beloved Auntie Em and Uncle Henry.
I really enjoyed this production. It was lively and fun, with a lot of attention to details. The girl who played Dorothy sounded so much like the movie Dorothy, and her Toto (real live dog!) was really cute. The best part was the special effects: fire and smoke and flying monkeys! Although I thought the strongest performer was the actor who played the Scarecrow (Nate Turner). He moved around the stage as if he truly didn’t have any real limbs, flopping himself up and off and back on the floor. I could see why practicing stretches and movement like we do in class can really help you when performing. My only complaint about the show was the costumes. They seemed old and raggedy as if they had been rented from an old barn. Other than that I really enjoyed the musical and was happy to have the opportunity to see live theatre.
Class Reflections – An important part of studying theatre is reflecting on how you think you are doing in your process. The best actors are the ones who think about their work. Those artists who practice and reflect on their work are then in a process of always working to be the best they can be. In that effort, students are required to write a three - four paragraph reflection paper that is due at the end of each 6 week term. Ideally the reflection should be in journal format, so that you can take a little time each week to reflect on what we are doing in class and what you are getting from the exercises. It must be an honest and complete review of your own personal work. Your reflection might address the following:
Ø Where did you feel that you have made strides in your work? Where do you feel that you are struggling?
Ø What are some ideas that you have, or advice that you have received that you feel useful (or not)?
Ø What have been new ideas for you, and what have you learned about yourself from those experiences?
Class Reflection Due Dates: September 23, October 25, December 18
Practice Performance – Students are required to memorize and present one short poem, no longer than one minute to the class. In the first semester you have to present two, one in the second –grading period and one in the third. In the second semester, you will be required to do three, one per every six-week term. The poem should have heightened language in it or tell a story (Billy Collins) - NOT nursery rhymes, not Shel Silverstein, but a poem that evokes visual images. You are to memorize that poem and present to class as a finished piece. You will be evaluated as to the quality of your memorization (fluid), your focus, your vocal projection and variety. The purpose of these presentations is so that you may regularly practice preparing and presenting.
Performances will be on the following dates: September 5, October 16 and December 3 These dates are set, regardless of any other rehearsal schedule.
Observations: As a way to practice and study human behavior, students are to take time to observe people outside of school. Go to the mall, the public library, sit in a café downtown, or the farmer’s market and spend at least one half hour watching people walk by. Take a few notes as if you are on a reconnaissance mission: How do the people you see walk? How are they holding their heads, moving their feet? Do you have a sense of their well-being (happy, sad, shy, contemplative, etc)? If they are talking to someone, what do you observe about their relationship by the way they talk to each other? Are they good friends, or in a partnered relationship? How can you tell this? NOW after you have observed people, pick one of the people and write out a 3-4 sentence monologue that tells the character of the person you have observed. Think of it as if you are watching a silent film and now you are adding in the dialogue. Present your fully rehearsed, memorized piece to class. Notes are to be handed in just prior to your performance. You will be required to hand in one observation a semester. The first semester
Observation due November 4.
Etudes: Literally, an etude means a short instrumental composition of considerable difficulty usually created for practice pruposes. How this translates into theatre is that you are to create a moment of heightened emotional circumstances and present to the class “as if”. The piece should be fully realized. Set up the performance space to create your stage, bring in any necessary props. Take time to rehearse your piece so you are not getting snarled up in prop or costume malfunctions.
For this piece you are to create a moment where you are doing something wrong – this can be illegal, or secret, and you don’t want to be caught. Set up your scene – perhaps you are poisoning someones food – then you will need the props to show the preparations. Heighten that by hearing someone come by (or not), moving in such a way so no one walks in on you. What if someone does walk in on you? Then complete your task – you are going to the room where your victim is and the scene ends. If other people are in your scene, you let us know that by your behavior. Work for specifics.
Be realistic and thoughtful in presentations. These are not meant to be parodies, but serious, fully realized moments that require you to use truth in emotion.
Etude due: November 11.
THESPIAN TROUPE 414 – North Theatre reinstated its Thespian Troupe status in 2012. This means students who are interested, and qualify, will be able to join the National Thespian Society, which allows for opportunity to participate in certain competitions, and to quailify for some scholarships. In its first year of restatement, we qualified for the state conference, with some students participating in singular events. It is our hope have more Thespian members participate in the state conference in January 2014.
To become a member, and to maintain membership, students are required to participate in the North Theatre program: working on or off-stage, as well as take care of front-of-house duties. Meetings will be held on a monthly basis which members are required to attend. Although a Den meeting time has been requested for these meetings, a general call out meeting will be on Wednesday, August 28 at 3:10pm. See Mrs. Sobrer if you have questions.
ACTORS TROUPE: North Theatre would like to establish a small troupe of about 5-8 actors to design and host Theatre Workshops that would then be taken to Batchelor and Tri-North Middle Schools. We would also like to design workshops to take to elementary schools. Interviews for interested participants will be held in September. All rehearsals and Workshops will take place right after school. It is hoped that the workshops will take place at the middle-schools in early December, the elementary workshops will take place in January. There will be more information about this announced at the Thespian Meeting on August 28. If interested, see Mrs. Sobrer.
Advanced Acting Projects First Semester:
Living Statues. For this project students will create a character, costume, setting and scene to present at the Bloomington Farmers Market. We will use this preparation time to review movement and improvisation exercises. This year Living Statues will be presented September 21, 2013.
LIVING STATUES TIMELINE
Week of August 19:
Warm-ups and practice holding still/idea exploration
Week of August 26:
Statue Concept DUE: August 29
Begin Practicing in statue groups (2)
Week of Sept. 3:
Practice Performance September 5
Continue practice in statue group (1)
Week of Sept. 9: Final Rehearsals (2)
Monologue chosen
Field Trip Sept. 13
Final Week, September 16:
Play reflections due Sept. 16
Dress Sept. 19
STATUES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
CLASS REFLECTIONS DUE September 23
MONOLOGUES chosen and Memorized by Sept. 23
The audition and monologue* Actors will choose a monologue by September 9. The monologue should be from a play, NOT a movie, and NOT a monologue written for practice purpose. Students will be required to present an audition-ready monologue to a panel of area theatre professionals the week of October 28.
In school scene – competition: The best scenes will be selected to represent North Theatre at the State Thespian Competition at the University of Indianapolis end of January 2014. Advanced Production class will also present scenes. Students will present their scene the week of December 9.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How soon do I need to know my lines? – As soon as you know what monologue, scene, play you are doing get to work on your lines. When you don’t know your lines you are holding up your own creative process.
Do I have to bring in props? – Only if you feel that they will help the scene. However, the more attention made to details, the better your scene.
How soon should I look for a monologue? – In short, yesterday. Too often students put this choice off to last minute and then are not happy with their choice. If you don’t have one picked out by the time you have to make choice known I will select one from the production book for you. You will not be able to change monologues after you have told me which one you are doing
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- To further develop the actors craft and process for the young actor.
- To practice the tenets of an actor workshop in the classroom: vocal and physical exercises, rehearsals, and constructive criticism.
- To provide opportunities for students to see, and to participate in live theatre.
- To understand and be able to analyze the dramatic structure of plays.
- To develop constructive and analytical criticism of live plays.
Classroom requirements:
This class requires a lot of physical movement, which necessitates that students wear clothing that does not restrict their movement. If a student is not prepared to do the exercises and does not have a valid excuse to not participate, their participation grade will be affected.
This is a performance- based class. Your presence is necessary and needed for all work we do in class. If you have major conflicts with any of the performance dates please let me know ASAP. Don’t ask the whole group to scarifce their good work because you are unable to keep track of your calendar.
You will be given scripts to work from in class. Put these scripts in a folder when you are not using them. These scripts are the same as your textbook. You MUST have your script with you in order to participate in the rehearsal process. If you come to class and you do not have your script then you will be coming to class unprepared. DON’T STAND UP your scene partner – keep track of your script.
After-school rehearsals:
You may be required to attend a few after-school rehearsals that will be called for certain performances. Notice of after-school rehearsals will be posted as soon as their need is determined. ADVANCED ACTING STUDENTS will have at least one after-school rehearsal in February for the Children’s play and another one in May for the Play Festival. There may also be one called for the scene competition. Unless there is a major change in the schedule that we do not have control over (snow days, administrator whim) you will have at least 3 weeks notice of this rehearsal time, so you can adequately plan. These rehearsals are mandatory. When you miss a rehearsal you hold everyone else up, therefore, if you miss any of these rehearsals without proper notification (A note and phone call with your parental figure) your grade will be deducted 10 percent. Your parents will also be notified of your absence.
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS and DUE DATES
DUE FIRST SEMESTER
Letter of Intention – August 12
Practice Performance I – September 5
Statue Project Concept - August 29
Monologue chosen – September 9
Play Reflection 1 – September 16
Class Reflection 1 – September 23
Dress Rehearsal for Statue September 19
LIVING STATUE – September 21
Practice Performance II– October 17
Monologue Panel October 28
Class Reflection 2 – November 1
Play Reflection 2 October 31
Observation Nov. 4
Etude Nov. 12
Practice Performance III– December 4
Scene Competition week of December 9
Play Reflection 3– December 16 (or earlier)
Class Reflection 3 – December 18
ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION:
Students are required to see three live play performances each semester and to write a reflection on the show they saw.
Due Dates for Play reflections:
Lord of the Flies (Class field trip) Reflection is due September 16.
Own Choice (may be a North Theatre production)
NOTE: These may be handed in any time before the due date. The due date is for grade recordning purpose. It is recommended that you hand in your reflection within 48 hours of seeing the play. Second reflection is due October 31.
Third Reflection NO LATER than December 16, 2013.
What your PLAY REFLECTION should look like:
Basically your reflection should be about 3 short, but detailed paragraphs long. In the first paragraph you want to address the basics – What play you saw, where and when you saw it, and a sentence that addresses your general response to the play. The second paragraph should be a 2-3 sentence summary of what the play was about. The third and final paragraph should have 4-5 sentences that give your impression of the production. This can include a discussion of the acting, a connection of what you saw on stage to what you are learning in class, one particular actor, the set or costume design or any combination thereof. Below is an example:
Theatre Arts Play Reflection/THE WIZARD OF OZ
NAME: Maggie Smith
On Sunday, Dec. 23, my family and I had the opportunity to see the Cardinal Stage production of THE WIZARD OF OZ at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre. It was a really fun show with great singing and dancing, but I thought some of the costumes were uninspired.
The musical play is just like the movie! The familiar story of Dorothy Gale who runs away from home and gets caught up in a tornado and lands in Munchkinland, and so begins her journey to return home after a visit to the Wizard of Oz, and the friends and foe she meets along the way. By plays end Dorothy has rescued those under the spell of the wicked witch, helped her friends achieve their desire – a brain, a heart and courage, and with her own fervent wish “There is no place like home!” returns to her beloved Auntie Em and Uncle Henry.
I really enjoyed this production. It was lively and fun, with a lot of attention to details. The girl who played Dorothy sounded so much like the movie Dorothy, and her Toto (real live dog!) was really cute. The best part was the special effects: fire and smoke and flying monkeys! Although I thought the strongest performer was the actor who played the Scarecrow (Nate Turner). He moved around the stage as if he truly didn’t have any real limbs, flopping himself up and off and back on the floor. I could see why practicing stretches and movement like we do in class can really help you when performing. My only complaint about the show was the costumes. They seemed old and raggedy as if they had been rented from an old barn. Other than that I really enjoyed the musical and was happy to have the opportunity to see live theatre.
Class Reflections – An important part of studying theatre is reflecting on how you think you are doing in your process. The best actors are the ones who think about their work. Those artists who practice and reflect on their work are then in a process of always working to be the best they can be. In that effort, students are required to write a three - four paragraph reflection paper that is due at the end of each 6 week term. Ideally the reflection should be in journal format, so that you can take a little time each week to reflect on what we are doing in class and what you are getting from the exercises. It must be an honest and complete review of your own personal work. Your reflection might address the following:
Ø Where did you feel that you have made strides in your work? Where do you feel that you are struggling?
Ø What are some ideas that you have, or advice that you have received that you feel useful (or not)?
Ø What have been new ideas for you, and what have you learned about yourself from those experiences?
Class Reflection Due Dates: September 23, October 25, December 18
Practice Performance – Students are required to memorize and present one short poem, no longer than one minute to the class. In the first semester you have to present two, one in the second –grading period and one in the third. In the second semester, you will be required to do three, one per every six-week term. The poem should have heightened language in it or tell a story (Billy Collins) - NOT nursery rhymes, not Shel Silverstein, but a poem that evokes visual images. You are to memorize that poem and present to class as a finished piece. You will be evaluated as to the quality of your memorization (fluid), your focus, your vocal projection and variety. The purpose of these presentations is so that you may regularly practice preparing and presenting.
Performances will be on the following dates: September 5, October 16 and December 3 These dates are set, regardless of any other rehearsal schedule.
Observations: As a way to practice and study human behavior, students are to take time to observe people outside of school. Go to the mall, the public library, sit in a café downtown, or the farmer’s market and spend at least one half hour watching people walk by. Take a few notes as if you are on a reconnaissance mission: How do the people you see walk? How are they holding their heads, moving their feet? Do you have a sense of their well-being (happy, sad, shy, contemplative, etc)? If they are talking to someone, what do you observe about their relationship by the way they talk to each other? Are they good friends, or in a partnered relationship? How can you tell this? NOW after you have observed people, pick one of the people and write out a 3-4 sentence monologue that tells the character of the person you have observed. Think of it as if you are watching a silent film and now you are adding in the dialogue. Present your fully rehearsed, memorized piece to class. Notes are to be handed in just prior to your performance. You will be required to hand in one observation a semester. The first semester
Observation due November 4.
Etudes: Literally, an etude means a short instrumental composition of considerable difficulty usually created for practice pruposes. How this translates into theatre is that you are to create a moment of heightened emotional circumstances and present to the class “as if”. The piece should be fully realized. Set up the performance space to create your stage, bring in any necessary props. Take time to rehearse your piece so you are not getting snarled up in prop or costume malfunctions.
For this piece you are to create a moment where you are doing something wrong – this can be illegal, or secret, and you don’t want to be caught. Set up your scene – perhaps you are poisoning someones food – then you will need the props to show the preparations. Heighten that by hearing someone come by (or not), moving in such a way so no one walks in on you. What if someone does walk in on you? Then complete your task – you are going to the room where your victim is and the scene ends. If other people are in your scene, you let us know that by your behavior. Work for specifics.
Be realistic and thoughtful in presentations. These are not meant to be parodies, but serious, fully realized moments that require you to use truth in emotion.
Etude due: November 11.
THESPIAN TROUPE 414 – North Theatre reinstated its Thespian Troupe status in 2012. This means students who are interested, and qualify, will be able to join the National Thespian Society, which allows for opportunity to participate in certain competitions, and to quailify for some scholarships. In its first year of restatement, we qualified for the state conference, with some students participating in singular events. It is our hope have more Thespian members participate in the state conference in January 2014.
To become a member, and to maintain membership, students are required to participate in the North Theatre program: working on or off-stage, as well as take care of front-of-house duties. Meetings will be held on a monthly basis which members are required to attend. Although a Den meeting time has been requested for these meetings, a general call out meeting will be on Wednesday, August 28 at 3:10pm. See Mrs. Sobrer if you have questions.
ACTORS TROUPE: North Theatre would like to establish a small troupe of about 5-8 actors to design and host Theatre Workshops that would then be taken to Batchelor and Tri-North Middle Schools. We would also like to design workshops to take to elementary schools. Interviews for interested participants will be held in September. All rehearsals and Workshops will take place right after school. It is hoped that the workshops will take place at the middle-schools in early December, the elementary workshops will take place in January. There will be more information about this announced at the Thespian Meeting on August 28. If interested, see Mrs. Sobrer.
Advanced Acting Projects First Semester:
Living Statues. For this project students will create a character, costume, setting and scene to present at the Bloomington Farmers Market. We will use this preparation time to review movement and improvisation exercises. This year Living Statues will be presented September 21, 2013.
LIVING STATUES TIMELINE
Week of August 19:
Warm-ups and practice holding still/idea exploration
Week of August 26:
Statue Concept DUE: August 29
Begin Practicing in statue groups (2)
Week of Sept. 3:
Practice Performance September 5
Continue practice in statue group (1)
Week of Sept. 9: Final Rehearsals (2)
Monologue chosen
Field Trip Sept. 13
Final Week, September 16:
Play reflections due Sept. 16
Dress Sept. 19
STATUES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
CLASS REFLECTIONS DUE September 23
MONOLOGUES chosen and Memorized by Sept. 23
The audition and monologue* Actors will choose a monologue by September 9. The monologue should be from a play, NOT a movie, and NOT a monologue written for practice purpose. Students will be required to present an audition-ready monologue to a panel of area theatre professionals the week of October 28.
In school scene – competition: The best scenes will be selected to represent North Theatre at the State Thespian Competition at the University of Indianapolis end of January 2014. Advanced Production class will also present scenes. Students will present their scene the week of December 9.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How soon do I need to know my lines? – As soon as you know what monologue, scene, play you are doing get to work on your lines. When you don’t know your lines you are holding up your own creative process.
Do I have to bring in props? – Only if you feel that they will help the scene. However, the more attention made to details, the better your scene.
How soon should I look for a monologue? – In short, yesterday. Too often students put this choice off to last minute and then are not happy with their choice. If you don’t have one picked out by the time you have to make choice known I will select one from the production book for you. You will not be able to change monologues after you have told me which one you are doing