ACTING STUDIO III

#97-409

Fall, 2008

Instructors: Merlaine Angwall, Jane Purse-Wiedenhoeft

Phone: Angwall: 424-7050, Purse-Wiedenhoeft: 424-4425

Office Hours: Angwall, (office W120): M, W, 1:00-1:50, T, Th: 9:00, or by appointment. Purse-Wiedenhoeft: (office W119) M/W 9:30-11:30a.m. or by appoint.

Emails: Angwall@uwosh.edu, pursewij@uwosh.edu

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To develop analytical skills necessary to uncover elements of characterization; to further understand the actor’s contribution to the creation of character through movement and voice; and to apply methods learned in previous Studio classes to scripted and non-scripted work. Methods and skills to be studied in this class will incorporate improv., character analysis, and realistic and post-modern genres. Emphasis will be placed on making choices and taking risks as an actor.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

The student will be required to attend or participate in the following two UW Oshkosh productions: True West and Pygmalion.

A monologue will be required from the realistic genre, or the post-modern genre. Two scenes will be performed, one from Chekov and another from a post modern author such as Harold Pinter. One character analysis on the character of the student’s choice will be expected. In addition, the student will perform one solo vocal study and one solo Laban study. Realistic and post-modern monologues and scenes will focus on analytical skills used to understand text, action, speech and character. The Laban study will incorporate character study and the 8 efforts. The vocal study will focus on breathing, relaxation and Standard American Stage Speech based in Rodenburg and Lessac training traditions.

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is mandatory. If you are sick, you may call one of three numbers: Merlaine’s office, Jane’s office, or the theatre office. You must call the day of or prior to the absence. Everyone is allowed one absence for any and all reasons. Arriving 10 minutes late for class will be considered an absence, (unless approved by the instructors in advance). Unexcused absences will result in a 50 pt. Deduction for every unexcused absence. There are no “make-ups” on performances and for every day a written assignment is overdue, one letter grade will be deducted from the final grade.

ASSIGNMENT DATES:

In general, Mondays will focus on vocal work, Tuesdays on physical work and Thursdays on scene and monologue work. The student is expected to rehearse outside of class time as well. The first scene will be due (performed) sometime in October, the second scene will be performed in December. The monologue and the Laban study are due in November. Specific dates will be given to you in class. The character analysis is due the day the scene is performed.

GRADING

1 Monologue: 100 points

2 Scenes: 200 points

1 Character analysis: 100 points

1 vocal study: 50 points

1 Laban study: 50 points

Participation: 100 points

600 Points total

The total points for the class equal 600 and the grading scale is based on a “percentage of points” system, which translates to letter grades as follows:

A 93% to 100%

AB Less than 93% to 87%

B Less than 87% to 83%

BC Less than 83% to 77%

C Less that 77% to 70%

CD Less than 70% to 67%

D Less than 67% to 60%

F Less than 60%

Grading Scale:

A = 600 – 558

AB = 557 – 522

B = 521 – 498

BC = 497 – 462

C = 461 – 420

CD = 419 – 402

D = 401 – 360

F = 359 or Less

Dates the class won’t meet: Thursday, November 27^th – Thanksgiving Day