Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

20810262Acting 1

Course Information

Description

Explores the actor's process in preparing for a role. Covers basic acting principles, including action, objective, obstacles, conflict, beats and being in the moment. Incorporates fundamentals of movement, voice and improvisation essential to the art of acting. Students will examine scripts, do character analysis, maintain actors journals and perform five graded exercises.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Analyze a character

Assessment Strategies

by writing a character analysis prior to performance

by successfully performing a role that fits the assignment criteria

Criteria

character analysis includes an identification of the physical aspects of a character

character analysis includes an identification of the psychological motivations of a character

character analysis includes an explanation of the vocal traits of a character

character analysis includes an explanation of the physical actions of a character

you memorize a monologue/duologue

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the physical actions of the character

you present a monologue/duologue that is believable

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the psychological motivations of a character

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the vocal traits of a character

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the physical actions of a character

you optionally use make-up

you optionally use costumes

you optionally use props
Critique a dramatic performance

Assessment Strategies

by participating in the class

by writing a critical analysis

Criteria

you enter into class discussions regarding the dramatic performance

you offer questions or comments during class regarding the dramatic performance

you attend class regularly

you arrive for class on time

you listen attentively during class

you record impressions in your acting journal or on a teacher-generated critique form

critical analysis of a performance is 2- to 3 pages in length

critical analysis of a performance includes an identification of the physical aspects of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes an identification of the psychological motivations of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes an explanation of the vocal traits of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes an explanation of the physical actions of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes a personal opinion of how well the actor performed the role of the character

critical analysis of a performance includes suggestions on how the actor could improve the performance

critical analysis of a performance includes observations about distractions (if any) that kept the actor from performing the role to perfection

critical analysis of a performance includes observations about how the actor overcame or could have overcome distractions (if any)
Cope with stage fright

Assessment Strategies

by performing successfully before classmates

Criteria

you present your lines from memory with appropriate vocal expression

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the physical actions of the character

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the psychological motivations of a character

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the vocal traits of a character

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the physical actions of a character

you control stagefright so it is not obvious to the audience
Demonstrate basic stage directions/positions

Assessment Strategies

by taking a written test

by demonstrating stage positions during in-class activities

Criteria

you correctly label stage positions on a diagram

you demonstrate stage positions when directed

you demonstrate a sense of physical presence on stage in relation to other actors, scenery, and audience

you use appropriate blocking/movement
Demonstrate physical/vocal improvisation skills

Assessment Strategies

by participating in in-class improvisational activities

Criteria

you improvise the physical aspects of the character

you improvise the psychological motivations of a character

you improvise the vocal traits of a character

you improvise the physical actions of a character

you improvise a characterization that is believable
Articulate the playwright's objective

Assessment Strategies

by stating the playwright's objective

Criteria

you identify the type of production (comedy, historical, tragic, melodrama, etc)

you summarize the setting of the play

you summarize the time period of the play

you explain the author's message (theme) for your audience

you evaluate the past relevance of the message

you evaluate the present relevance of the message
Budget rehearsal and performance time

Assessment Strategies

by participating in the class

Criteria

you adhere to a rehearsal/performance schedule

you come prepared for class

you arrive for class on time

you attend class regularly

you make productive use of scheduled work/practice time

you offer relevant questions or comments during class

you listen attentively during class
Value the work of both amateur and professional actors

Assessment Strategies

by participating in the class

by writing a critical analysis

Criteria

you enter into class discussions regarding the dramatic performance by peers and/or professionals

you offer questions or comments during class regarding the dramatic performance by peers and/or professionals

you attend class regularly

you arrive for class on time

you listen attentively during class

you record impressions in your acting journal or on a teacher-generated critique form

critical analysis of a performance is 2- to 3 pages in length

critical analysis of a performance includes an identification of the physical aspects of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes an identification of the physical aspects of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes an identification of the psychological motivations of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes an explanation of the vocal traits of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes an explanation of the physical actions of a character

critical analysis of a performance includes a personal opinion of how well the actor performed the role of the character

critical analysis of a performance includes suggestions on how the actor could improve the performance

critical analysis of a performance includes observations about distractions (if any) that kept the actor from performing the role to perfection

critical analysis of a performance includes observations about how the actor overcame or could have overcome distractions (if any)
Analyze the duties of the production staff

Assessment Strategies

by completing a written evaluation

by completing a report on a selected job

Criteria

you analyze the duties and responsibilities of the playwright

you analyze the duties and responsibilities of the director

you analyze the duties and responsibilities of the actors

you analyze the duties and responsibilities of the costumer

you analyze the duties and responsibilities of the stage manager

you analyze the duties and responsibilities of the set designer

report includes a description of the job

report includes the roles and responsibilities of the professional in the job

report includes the education/training needed in the job

report includes locations for employment

report includes salary range in the selected job

report includes an analysis of job security
Explore the actor's process

Assessment Strategies

by preparing a written character analysis/GOTE sheet

by performing a role well

Criteria

you research the selected role through interviews, readings, and observations

you use your own knowledge/experiences to create a character

character analysis includes an identification of the physical aspects of a character

character analysis includes an identification of the psychological motivations of a character

character analysis includes an explanation of the vocal traits of a character

character analysis includes an explanation of the physical actions of a character

you memorize a monologue/duologue

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the physical actions of the character

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the psychological motivations of a character

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the vocal traits of a character

you present a monologue/duologue that portrays the physical actions of a character

you present a monologue/duologue that is believable

you optionally use make-up

you optionally use costumes

you optionally use props
Use appropriate theatre vocabulary

Assessment Strategies

on a written evaluation

by using appropriate theatre in class

Criteria

you recognize the definitions of theatre terms

you employ correct vocabulary when critiquing others' work

you use theatre terms correctly in class
Critique peer performances

Assessment Strategies

by orally critiquing a performance

by writing a critique of a performance

Criteria

you explain your personal opinion regarding the performance

you give specific examples regarding strengths and weaknesses

your personal opinion is supported with relevant facts and research

your comments are well organized

your comments are clear and concise

you use correct vocabulary

written comments include an explanation of your personal opinion regarding the performance

written comments include specific examples regarding strengths and weaknesses of the performance

written comments include relevant facts and research to support your critique of the performance

written comments are well organized

written comments are clear and concise

written comments include the use of correct vocabulary

written comments evidence correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
Apply stage makeup for various types of characters

Assessment Strategies

by applying various types of stage makeup

Criteria

you apply straight makeup properly

you apply character (old age) makeup properly

you apply mime makeup properly
Perform dramatic material that has social and/or artistic merit

Assessment Strategies

by performing a dramatic piece that has universal appeal

Criteria

you select material from a well-known playwright or from critically acclaimed anthologies

you select material that has been performed/analyzed by professional actors/critics

you accept recommendations of teachers and drama critics