University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Theatre Department
FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING
Course Syllabus Theatre #97-205
Fall 2009

Professor: Jane Purse-Wiedenhoeft Credits: 3
Office phone: (920) 424-4425         Time: Tuesday and Thursday @ 9:40 a.m.
Email: pursewij@uwosh.edu           Office Location: ACW 119
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday @ 11:15a.m.-12:45p.m., Wednesday @ 10:00-11:30a.m and by appointment.

Required Text
-The Actor in You/Sixteen Simple Steps By: Robert Benedetti
-Students are required to read the plays from which monologues and scenes are selected.
-Additional reading assignments will be distributed from a variety of sources.

Course Objectives
-To gain an understanding of basic acting principles and techniques. Beginning principles emphasized will be trusting other ensemble members, taking and giving feedback, taking risks and critical analysis of written and performance work. Beginning techniques will be in vocal and physical explorations.
-To expose the student to the acting process and its effect on interpretation of character and play analysis.
-Students will learn to develop basic voice and movement skills and to explore the creative aspects of both play analysis and character development.
-Students will learn to work in an ensemble environment and perform simple, fundamental actions in a truthful and convincing manner through improvised and scripted scenes.
-Students will demonstrate an understanding of the acting process in monologues, scripted scenes and open scenes.

Course Goals
The goals supported by this course include:
Knowledge: To gain a broad understanding of the acting process and its effect on performance.
Skills: To develop physical and vocal basics, and to analyze and understand a text for performance.
Creativity: To enhance creative skills and artistry in building a character and developing acting technique.

Course Requirements
-Two Open Scenes, a monologue, a character analysis, one scripted scene, attendance at UW Oshkosh productions, two critical analyses of UW Oshkosh productions, and student participation in class.
-Students are strongly urged to take script analysis as preparation for this course but it is no longer required as a prerequisite.

Expectations
-Attend class and be punctual!
-Commitment: Listen, focus on the work at hand, be a supportive member of the class and disciplined in your work ethic.
-Students are expected to rehearse outside of class time although there will be lab time available for scene partners to rehearse in class.
-Specific assignment criteria and due dates will be distributed in class.
-Be dressed appropriately and ready to work at the beginning of class. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. No high heels unless the character you are portraying in a scene requires that choice.
-Complete assignments on time.
-Participate in discussions.
-All electronic devices must be turned off. Cell phones, laptops, iPods, etc. If you need to be contacted in case of an emergency, then give the phone numbers of the theatre office and campus security and they can find you if it is indeed an emergency.
-No eating or gum chewing in class. They interfere with the actor’s instrument.
-If there are concerns about any aspect of the class, please make an appointment to meet with us so they can be addressed.
-Treat other students, the professor and yourself with respect. Harassment of any form won’t be tolerated! Use good judgment and appropriate behavior in class.
-Academic honesty and integrity is expected at all times. Plagiarism or other cheating will result in a zero on the assignment and appropriate official steps will be taken.

Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend class and to be on time. Participation is an integral part of the work being done in this class. If you are sick, you may call Jane’s office phone, the theatre department office @ (920) 424-7042 or email Jane. This must occur the day of the absence. If a student arrives after attendance has been taken, it is up to the student to inform the professor immediately following the class. For every three late arrivals to class a student’s total semester points will be deducted 25 points. Unexcused absences will result in a 25 point deduction from the total semester points. If there are questionable weather conditions, the professor will follow the recommendations as recorded on the UW Oshkosh weather line which is (920) 424-0000 and/or as announced on local television and radio stations. There are no “make-ups” for performance days.

General Information:
-Papers will be graded for content as well as general writing skills.
-All papers must be typed using black ink and contain consistent spacing, fonts and margins. Two sided pages are acceptable as long as they are neat and easy to follow.
-Papers need to be turned in on time which is at the beginning of class on the due date. Late papers will have 25 points deducted from them per day. Performance assignments must be performed on the due date – no make-ups allowed.
-No class: Wednesday and Thursday November 25^th and 26^th (Thanksgiving)

Grading Criteria
In scene and/or monologue work; growth, participation and work habits are most important. Everyone is graded on an individual basis, not against one another. Attitude, effort, class attendance, and completion of work are the key components of the class.

Assignments and point values
Participation = 100 pts.
(Participation in and commitment to daily exercises, improvisational explorations, discussions, using a disciplined work ethic and to being a supportive member of the class are the items that are covered under this category.)
2 Self Evaluations of Voice and Movement @ 50 pts. = 100 pts.
2 Critical Analyses @ 50 pts. = 100 pts.
1 Character Analysis = 50 pts.
Monologue = 50 pts.
Final Scene = 100 pts.
2 Open Scenes @ 50 pts. = 100 pts.
1 Misc. assignment = 50 pts.

Total Points possible = 650 pts.

Grading Scale:

Liberal Arts Statement
Theatre is a collaborative creative process requiring a broad knowledge of the human condition to be successful. The importance of theatre in society is well documented and understanding the role it plays in society contributes to the development of well-rounded citizens. Theatre holds a mirror to society and teaches us what it means to be human. Theatre, as with all areas of the Liberal Arts, is most effectively employed when it is built on a broad base of knowledge.

The professor reserves the right to modify the syllabus to accommodate the needs of the class. If any such modifications are needed, they will be announced in class.