TH 100 - Intro to Theatre Syllabus

Instructor: Amberly Chamberlain

TA 100 – Introduction to Theatre, Spring 2018                 Office: P106-1

T/TH, 1:30pm to 2:55pm                                                     email: chamberlain_amberly@sac.edu

Phillips Hall, P105                                                                 Office Hours: M/W 3:00 to 5:30

COURSE SYLLABUS                                                                    

This syllabus is a contract. By accepting this syllabus you are agreeing to the terms for grading, attendance, participation, and workload as set out herein.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to the art and concepts of theatre through a study of modern and historical theories of dramatic structure, playwriting, directing, design, and acting. Attendance at live theatre is required.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Distinguish characteristics of theatre that differentiate it from other art forms
• Describe the major components of a theatrical event
• Describe the functions of the various personnel in the theatre
• Define specific terms relating to the study of theatre
• List and describe parts of a play
• Describe the components of plot
• Describe the different forms of theatrical styles and genres
• Identify and describe the principles and elements of theatrical design as they relate to the various design specialties
• Discover and appreciate the role of theatre and acting in our lives and society.
• Explore the potential for abandon, imagination and impulsive creativity in our lives and in our work.
• Understand the fundamental use and preparation of the actor’s instrument: the body, mind and the voice.
  • Develop/nurture the higher, artistic ego and learn to quiet the critical mind.
  • Build and strengthen self-awareness of our own physical and vocal lives.
  • Observe the physical and vocal world around us with new acuity.
  • Learn techniques for basic training and maintenance of the body and voice.
  • Explore the intentional altering of our physical and vocal selves to create character.
• Improve concentration skills, listening, and collaboration through play.
  • Discuss self-confidence, “stage fright”, and stage presence.
• Explore the basic technique for building a character and scoring a script.
  • Learn how to Investigate, Infer, and Imagine the GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES of a character/scene.
• Build a working understanding of the actor’s workplace.
  • Understand stage terminology, blocking, memorization technique, and production.
• Develop critical, analytical opinions on theatre and acting and express those opinions in writing.

COURSE CONTENT

• Introduction to Theatre is a survey course of live theatre in Western culture.
• The course will introduce you to various concepts and genres of the theatre.
• The course focuses on contemporary and historical theories of performance and production.
• Concepts such as the function of the playwright, director, actor, design team, and technicians will be investigated in detail with an exploration of the social, political, and historical significance of each.
• The course will introduce you to the study of theatre literature through in-class viewing of selected plays.
• The course will emphasize the development of a full understanding and appreciation of the art of theatre by experiencing its impact in person.

Student Learning Outcomes Tools/Assessments

• Students will be able to develop the following: a script plotline, a supporting character analysis, a short script, the casting for each character, the selection of costumes for each character, the selection of scenery for each scene.
• Interpret, define, develop, and utilize the course information to effectively develop some or all of the following: a plotline, supporting characters, dialogue, casting, costume design, scenic design.
• Students will demonstrate original thought by using their imaginations to develop one or more of the following: a plotline, supporting characters, dialogue, casting, costume design, scenic design.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE. You must attend either the spring semester SAC Theatre Department production or an outside play/musical and write a review on what you saw. Consider the experience part of the lab for this course. If you cannot afford to attend the production here at the school, ushering is available. Please see Karina Rebolledo in the Fine & Performing Arts Offices (A-109) to sign up or email her at Rebolledo_Karina@sac.edu. The production this semester will be:

One – April 13^th& 14^th at 7:30pm, 14^th & 15^th at 2:00pm & 15^th at 6:30pm

PARTICIPATION. This class is highly based on participation & ultimately, the only way to progress. Grading will be affected by your attendance, preparation, and participation in all exercises and performances. Since this is an experience-oriented class, absences cannot be made up, nor any exercises or performances missed due to an unexcused absence. It is imperative that you are in class.

ATTIRE. We will be doing a lot of physical work, so please wear comfortable shoes & clothing appropriate for movement. No short skirts, tight/restrictive or revealing clothing, steel toed boots, heels or flip-flops. If you are not dressed appropriately, you will find it difficult to participate & may be asked to sit out of exercises, losing participation points for the day.

RECOMMENDED TEXT. The Keys to Acting by Hugh O’Gorman. An electronic eBook or printed version is available at: www.kendallhunt.com/OGorman. We will be utilizing the journal exercises and worksheets within the book. I will provide them to you, but it is highly recommended that you purchase your own copy.

CONDUCT. This course is about opening up, being creative, having fun & just giving it your best shot, as with anything you do in life. The only behavior that is unacceptable is that which prevents other students from doing the same. Treat your classmates with respect; treat your instructor with respect. Thicken your skin, but don’t be afraid to reveal your heart. We will be utilizing constructive criticism, so mind the way you word your responses and receive with an open mind. The work we will be doing in the course also requires that we come into physical contact with one another. If this is an area of concern, please see the instructor. All cell phones must be turned off or put in silent mode while class is in session. Do not check messages, send text messages or play games during class. Students found using these devices will be asked to leave and receive an absence for the class meeting. Finally, respect the space we work in. No food or open beverages and clean up after yourselves!

Lastly, it is the student’s responsibility to keep their email information updated in order to receive important updates from both the instructor and school. This also involves alerts for emergencies.

ATTENDANCE

Every student is allowed two (2) unexcused absences. Four (4) unexcused tardies equate to one unexcused absence. Please note, leaving early is considered the same as arriving late. Excused absences are determined by the following reasons only:

1. Illness or injury to the student.
2. Death, injury, or serious illness of an immediate family member or the like.
3. *Religious reasons (California Education Code section 89320)
4. *Jury duty or government obligation
5. *University sanctioned or approved activities

Asterisked excuses must have a minimum of one week advanced notification. Documentation for any of the above listed exceptions is required upon your return to class. Upon your third consecutive unexcused absence, you are considered dropped from the course. If a third absence occurs at a later time in the semester, it will be up to the instructor’s discretion as to whether you may remain in the class, after an evaluation of the student’s work ethic has been made. If you decide to withdraw from the class or it is suggested that you do so, it is your responsibility to do the paperwork involved in doing so. The instructor will not do it for you. You will receive an “F” for the semester if you fail to remove yourself from the class roster before the withdraw deadline. These grades cannot be changed at a later date, for any reason!!!

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Individual, partner & small group performances.
2. Written creation of your own personal monologue, performed as your midterm.
3. A written evaluation for the required attended performances.  
4. Written worksheets & exercises assigned from the required text.
5. A music video performed live as your final project in a group and with production values.

All assignments must be typed. Use of incorrect grammar and/or spelling constitutes a lower grade. PROOFREAD AND DO NOT WRITE LIKE YOU TEXT! All assignments must be turned in by its due date and time, whether you are in class that day or not. Absolutely no late work will be accepted, even for partial grade. If absent on a performance date, whether excused or not, no make up will be allowed. If the absence is excused, the missed points will not be counted against you & the points will be adjusted accordingly. In regards to quizzes & exam, no make-ups will given, unless absence is excused & must be taken on the day you return to class. (It is not the instructor’s responsibility to remind you of a missed exam; it is the student’s responsibility to ask upon return.) One last caution, if you arrive tardy to class after or during the answers being given to a quiz or exam, you will not be allowed to take that quiz or exam. Be on time!

GRADING (Est. points available for the class.)

Class Participation (32 @ 5 pts)       160 pts

Performances (2 @ 25 pts)                 50 pts

Worksheets (2 @ 10 pts)                    20 pts

Written Exercises (11 @ 5 pts)          55 pts

Production Review                             20 pts

Quizzes (2 @ 10 pts)                          20 pts

Final Performance                              50 pts           

Final Exam                                           20 pts

                                                 Total: 395 pts

Grading scale

395 - 354 pts = A

353 - 315 pts = B

314 - 275 pts = C

274 - 236 pts = D

235 - lower     = F

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

All students are expected to adhere to the college’s Academic Honesty Policy. Cheating and plagiarism (copying or passing off someone else’s work as one’s own) are serious offenses. Cheating and plagiarism will result in an “F” for the assignment/quiz, referral to the dean & can be cause for expulsion.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

SAC is committed to providing educational accommodations for students with disabilities, upon the timely request made by the student to the instructor.  If you require any special accommodations or if you need additional time to complete tests/projects on a regular basis, you must notify the instructor upon receiving and reviewing the course syllabus.  Otherwise, you will be expected to adhere to the information included in this course syllabus without alteration. Verification of the disability must also be provided.  Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSP&S) functions as a resource for students and faculty in the determination and provision of the accommodations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Free Bus Pass

Students can use their SAC student ID cards to ride any OCTA fixed route bus service for free during the 2017-18 academic year. You must get your student ID card encoded in the Cashier’s Office, VL205, in order to ride. Limitations do exist.

Book Loan Program

The Associated Student Government of Santa Ana College will be providing $100 book vouchers for students in need. More information can be found at https://sac.edu/StudentServices/StudentLife/Pages/ASGBookLoan.aspx.

Please note: If deemed necessary, the class instructor reserve the right to alter this syllabus at anytime, in order to accommodate the size and abilities of the class. Students will be given ample notice and any changes will be made in writing and handed out in class.