Theatre #97-410

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Theatre Department
Course Syllabus
Spring 2011

Professors: Merlaine Angwall and Jane Purse-Wiedenhoeft
Emails: angwall@uwosh.edu pursewij@uwosh.edu
Office Phones: Angwall: (920) 424-7050 Purse-Wiedenhoeft: (920) 424-4425
Office Locations: Angwall = ACW 120 Purse-Wiedenhoeft = ACW 119
Jane’s Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 11:30a.m.-1:30p.m.and by appointment.

Merlaine’s Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 12:00-1:50p.m.and by appointment.

Class Meets: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday @1:50p.m.
Location: ACW 18 and the theatres as laboratories.

Text:
Reading assignments will be distributed from a variety of sources. Students will need to access plays by Shakespeare that are available in collections of his work and in anthologies. Students need to read any play from which they are performing a scene or monologue.

Course Objectives:
The students in this class will continue to build upon, develop and apply the analytical and characterization work that was introduced in previous Acting Studio classes. The student will have hands on experience analyzing, rehearsing and performing a scene from the works of Shakespeare. The students will also gain experience in selecting and rehearsing an acting audition package and will gain experience in preparing for and doing cold reading auditions. Emphasis will be placed on identifying specific acting choices based in the texts and then actively communicating those choices in performance.

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. Study of the methods and skills used in this class will incorporate character development and analysis using the plays of Pinter, Beckett and Shakespeare.

Course Requirements:
The student will be required to participate in and/or attend three U.W. Oshkosh Theatre Department productions: The Boys Next Door, The Student Directed Once Acts and The Importance of Being Earnest. 50 points will be subtracted from the semester point total for each show not attended.

Students are required to participate in departmental auditions to gain practical experience in the auditioning process. Theatre majors are expected to be available to participate in productions as cast. There will be one set of auditions for the first show of 2011-2012. The dates will be announced and posted when known. Students will have 50 points deducted from their semester point total if this requirement isn’t met.

Two contrasting monologues are required, one from the realistic genre and one from of a classical genre. Two scenes will be performed; one from Pinter or Beckett and the other from Shakespeare. A Character Analysis of the Shakespeare scene is required. A movement and vocal study will be required. A performance analysis is also required.

Grading Criteria:
Participation in and commitment to daily exercises, improv., discussions, using a disciplined work ethic and being a supportive member of the class will inform the grades that are assigned. Students are graded on an individual basis, not against one another. Attitude, effort, class attendance, and completion of work – in and out of the class – are the key components of the class. In scene and/or monologue work; growth in the application of feedback received from the professors and commitment to applying new skills and taking risks are of most importance.

2 Monologues @ 100 points each (50 pts. process/50 pts. performance) =200 pts.
1 Performance analysis =100 pts.
1 Movement and 1 Voice assignment @ 50 pts. each =100 pts.
1 Pinter/Beckett scene (50 pts. process/50 pts. performance) =100 pts.
1 Shakespeare scene (50 pts. process/50 pts. performance) =100 pts.
1 Character Analysis of Chekov character =100 pts.

700 Points Total

Grading Scale:

Class Attire:
-Please wear clothes in which you can exercise to class. No dresses, tight fitting clothes, flip flops, high heels, baseball caps, hats, etc. If you are not dressed properly, you will be asked to leave and/or change into something appropriate for class. Please secure hair so your face can be seen during class work.

Attendance:

• -Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend class and to be on time. There are no “make-ups” on performance assignments. Everyone is allowed 4 absences for whatever reason; sickness, emergency, etc. For every unexcused absence beyond the four allowed absences, the end of semester grade will be lowered one grade level. If you are sick, email or call either Jane or Merlaine depending on who is scheduled to teach the class that day. This must occur BEFORE the absence. If a student arrives after attendance has been taken, it is up to the student to inform the professor of his/her attendance immediately following the class to receive credit for that day.
• -If a student is late to class on a regular basis, points will be subtracted from the total semester points earned at the discretion of the professors. Arriving a half-hour late to class is considered an absence.
• -If there are questionable weather conditions, the professors 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.

Expectations:

• -Attend class, be punctual and begin doing warm-ups when you arrive.
• -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 some lab time available for scene partners to rehearse.
• -Specific assignment criteria and due dates will be distributed in class.
• -Complete assignments on time.
• -Participate in discussion.
• -All electronic devices must be turned off. Cell phones, laptops, iPods, etc. In case of an emergency, distribute the phone numbers of the Theatre Department office and campus security.
• -Treat other students, the professor and yourself with respect. Harassment of any form will not 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.
• -Do not eat or chew gum during class.
• -If there are concerns about any aspect of the class, please make an appointment to meet with us so we can discuss and address it.

General Information:
Papers will be graded on successful completion of criteria, grammar usage, spelling and standard writing skills. All papers must be word processed using black ink, double-spaced, with a 10 or12 point font. Back to back pages are acceptable. 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 the total points earned for every day the paper is late. After class = 1 day.

-No class: Wednesday, February 16^th Opening of The Boys Next Door, Mon-Thurs. March 21^st-24^th Spring Break, and Wednesday, April 27^th Opening of The Importance of Being Earnest

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 professors reserve 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. This syllabus was jointly developed by Jane Purse-Wiedenhoeft and Merlaine Angwall).