THET 103 Acting Foundations for Performance

In this course, students explore the nature of performance and the collaborative creative process through core concepts that form the foundation of the art and craft of acting. Focus is placed on the actor’s inner and outer resources including physical and vocal response, concentration, imagination, and sensory awareness. This course engages students in character creation through observation, improvisation, performance, and script analysis. Students also examine the creative process through observation and responses to live theatre events.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121 and permission of Theatre program coordinator

Corequisite

THET 125

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Adapt and interpret topic, goals, and language of the written script to reveal thematic context through performance.
2. Use clear language and purposeful physical interpretations to create cohesive and innovative characterizations.
3. Reference appropriate given circumstances information and detailed script analysis to create credible characters true to the playwright's vision.
4. Use appropriate actor skills and risk-taking to communicate clear, truthful, and compelling performances, and use strong inter-personal skills to facilitate productive rehearsals between partners.
5. Identify theatre terminology and organize scripts for performance through detailed scoring and beat analysis.
6. Generate ideas, explore possibilities, and consider alternative performance choices through observation, imagination, improvisation, sense and emotional memory techniques, script analysis, rehearsal, and revision.
7. Analyze and evaluate one's own theatrical creation, and that of others, through honest and constructive critiques of peer performances and live theatre events.
8. Apply information and ideas to reflect on, and critically analyze, the role of theatre and performance in illuminating the human condition.

Course Objectives

1. Adapt and interpret topic, goals, and language of the written script to reveal thematic context through performance.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Completion of beat analysis scoring and script analysis for monologue/scene, Character analysis worksheet

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Oral Communication Rubric

   Oral Communication

   • OC1
2. Use clear language and purposeful physical interpretations to create cohesive and innovative characterizations.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Rehearsal and performance of monologue/scene for class peers

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Oral Communication Rubric

   Oral Communication

   • OC2
3. Reference appropriate given circumstances information and detailed script analysis to create credible characters true to the playwright's vision.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Character analysis

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Oral Communication Rubric

   Oral Communication

   • OC3
4. Use appropriate actor skills and risk-taking to communicate clear, truthful, and compelling performances, and use strong inter-personal skills to facilitate productive rehearsals between partners.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Assessments of final performances, Adjusting performance based on constructive criticism, Written critiques for live theatre event

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Oral Communication Rubric

   Oral Communication

   • OC4
5. Identify theatre terminology and organize scripts for performance through detailed scoring and beat analysis.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Script analysis

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT1
6. Generate ideas, explore possibilities, and consider alternative performance choices through observation, imagination, improvisation, sense and emotional memory techniques, script analysis, rehearsal, and revision.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Character and script analysis

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT2
7. Analyze and evaluate one's own theatrical creation, and that of others, through honest and constructive critiques of peer performances and live theatre events.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Performance analysis

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT3
8. Apply information and ideas to reflect on, and critically analyze, the role of theatre and performance in illuminating the human condition.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Writen critique of live stage performance, Scene proposal form

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT4