Fundamental Acting Class
Course Elements
of the Drama Department
TECHNIQUE:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the craft of
acting. The content of this course will include: training and use of
the body for the stage; training and use of the voice for the stage; the
relationship of the actor on stage to the audience and to the other
actors; theatrical vocabulary; development of the student actor’s
understanding of himself as a performer; pantomime; improvisation; oral
interpretation and storytelling; and theatre games. The emphasis is on
group work and being a participating, contributing member of the group.
If the student shows the necessary skill development, the next level of
training is at the Ensemble level.
ENRICHMENT:
The enrichment courses allow beginning acting students to broaden their
range of understanding of the theatrical experience. The course is not
designed to replicate the beginning acting class but to supplement the
development of the actor. Course elements may include: theatre
history, discussion and investigation of different genres of theatre,
different national and ethnic theatre styles, puppetry, mime and
storytelling.
ENSEMBLE:
Building on the skills developed in Technique, this course is to further
develop the acting skills of theatre students. The content will include
continued work on the skills developed in Technique and, character and
script analysis, investigation and creation of characters vocally,
physically, and emotionally; voice and diction; and oral
interpretation. If the student shows the necessary skill development
and maturity, the next level of training is the Performance level.
PERFORMANCE:
Building on the skills developed in Ensemble, the course is to reefing
the acting skills of theatre students. The content will include
continued work on the skills developed in Ensemble and, in-depth script
and character analysis of contemporary and historical characters,
performance of contemporary and historical characters in monologue and
group scenes; analysis and performance of characters in different
theatrical genres, and the beginning development of a professional
portfolio.
PRACTICUM:
The Practicum is a course designed to allow selected advanced students
to work on very specific project related performance skills, which are
presented in each of the classes as skills develop. The Practicum
allows for in-depth practice on these skills. The skills practiced will
vary depending on the make-up and needs of the individual class but may
include: movement for the actor, musical theatre, mime, puppetry, story
telling, directing, and, plays and playwrights.
See
Also: Drama Progression
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