TH 100 - Introduction to Theatre

SAC DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS                        Professor: Amberly Chamberlain

TH 100 – Introduction to Theatre, Fall 2018                                                    Office: P106-1

Mon/Wed, 10:20am to 11:45am                              email: chamberlain_amberly@sac.edu

Phillips Hall, Room P105                              Office Hours: M/W 10-10:15am & 2-4:45pm

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. Your attendance at the SAC Theatre Arts Department mainstage production is required. You will write a review on what you saw, as well, a quiz will be given. Consider the experience part of the lab for this course. If you cannot afford to attend the production, ushering is available. Please email Karina Rebolledo at Rebolledo_Karina@sac.edu to sign up. You can also receive extra credit by producing your ticket for any of the additional Theatre Department productions/events this semester. See attached document for current productions.

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 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 and to check them often. 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 also limited to (2) two additional absences. 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 unexcused absence, you are considered dropped from the course. If absences/tardies occurs after the drop deadline, the student’s grade will lower 2.5% for every excessive unexcused absence and .5% for every excessive tardy. If a third absence occurs before the drop deadline, it will be up to the instructor’s discretion to allow the student to remain in the class, only after an evaluation of the student’s work ethic has been made & the student agrees to be placed on probation. If a student decides to withdraw from the class or it is suggested that they do so, it is their responsibility to do the paperwork involved in doing so. The instructor will not do it for them. The student will receive an “F” for the semester if they fail to remove themselves 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, which include:
   1. Written creation & performed performance of a personal monologue.
   2. An artistic team project to be created on assigned text. (Midterm)
   3. A group live music video project performed live with all production values. (Final)
   4. Written worksheets, exercises and projects assigned as homework.
   5. A written evaluation for the required attended performances.

All assignments must be typed unless otherwise stated. Use of incorrect grammar and/or spelling constitutes a lower grade. PROOFREAD AND DO NOT WRITE LIKE YOU TEXT! This also goes for any correspondence with your instructor. 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 a partial grade. If absent on a performance date, whether excused or not, no make ups will be allowed. If the absence is excused, the missed points will not be counted against the student & 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 the student returns to class or in advance if the student knows ahead of time. (It is not the instructor’s responsibility to remind a student 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 answers being given to a quiz or exam, the student will not be allowed to take that quiz or exam. So, be on time!

GRADING (Est. points available for the class.)

Class Participation (30 @ 5 pts)       150 pts

Scene Worksheet                                 10 pts

Costume Design Project                        10 pts

Production Review                               20 pts

Production Quiz                                    10 pts

Performances (2 @ 25 pts)                 50 pts

Midterm Project                                     50 pts

Final Performance                                 50 pts           

Final Exam                                             20 pts

                                             Total: 370 pts

Grading scale

370 - 332 pts = A

331 - 295 pts = B

294 - 258 pts = C

257 - 221 pts = D

220 - lower   = F

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

Students at Santa Ana College are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. To falsify the results of one's research, to steal the words or ideas of another, or to cheat on an examination, corrupts the essential process by which knowledge is advanced. Academic dishonesty is seen as an intentional act of fraud, in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization, or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic exercise. As institutions, we also consider academic dishonesty to include forgery of academic documents, intentionally impeding or damaging the academic work of others, assisting other students in acts of dishonesty or coercing students into acts of dishonesty.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

Your success in this course is important to me. SAC and I are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your ability to do well in this course, I encourage you to speak with me as soon as possible. A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS). Call (714) 241-5769 or stop by B-100 to schedule an appointment with a DSPS Specialist. If you would like more information, you can also visit http://sac.edu/StudentServices/DSPS. I look forward to supporting you to meet your learning goals.

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 2018-19 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 & Scholarships

The Associated Student Government of SAC provides $100 book vouchers for students in need. More information can be found at https://sac.edu/StudentServices/StudentLife/Pages/ASGBookLoan.aspx. Scholarships can also be applied for through the SAC Foundation. More information can be found at https://www.sac.edu/foundation/Scholarships/Pages/default.aspx.

Please note: If deemed necessary, the class instructor reserves 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 a revised syllabus.