Rehearsal & Performance in Production Syllabus

TA 150A – Rehearsal & Performance in Production, Spring 2019                  Office: P106-1

Mon – Thurs, 6:00 to 10:00                                       email: chamberlain_amberly@sac.edu

Phillips Hall, Room P100                                   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

A study of the actor's process in the development of a character, culminating in live staged performances. Students learn the process of presenting a role on stage, emphasis being placed on acting techniques, theatre vocabulary, and creative individual expression.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, the student will be able to: 

• Demonstrate ability to interpret a script
• Analyze beats and units
• Conceptualize an acting process
• Demonstrate and utilize acting methods in performance
• Utilize motivated blocking
• Utilize and apply directorial adjustments in rehearsal and performance

COURSE CONTENT

• Script analysis
• Directorial expectations
• Production goals
• Developing the an Acting Process
• Introduction to acting methods
• Experimenting with acting methods
• Choosing acting methods based on script type and style
• Creating a Believable Character
• Objectives, obstacles, and tactics
• Units and beats
• Personalization and acting methods
• Character relationships
• Rehearsal obligations and expectations
• Memorization techniques
• Motivating blocking
• Working with directorial adjustments
• How to work through technical rehearsals
• How to work with dress rehearsals
• Using costumes and makeup to enhance character
• Taking and applying directorial adjustments
• Repetition in performance

Student Learning Outcomes Tools/Assessments

• Varied character and acting process development assignments that will be assessed by the instructor using correlating grading rubrics
• Instructor evaluation and critique of scene and character performance using a correlating grading rubric
• Peer review and critique of scene and character performance

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

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 rehearsals and performances. Since this is an experience-oriented class, absences cannot be made up, nor anything 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 and absolutely no flip-flops. If you are not dressed appropriately, you will find it difficult to participate & may be asked to sit out of rehearsals, losing participation points for the day. That being said, it is encouraged for you to wear rehearsal clothing & shoes similar to that of your character(s).

REQUIRED TEXT. We will be utilizing the play The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis for this course. A copy of the play will be provided for you.  

CONDUCT. This course is about opening up, being creative & professional. The only behavior that is unacceptable is that which prevents other students from doing so. Treat your fellow actors with respect; treat your director and all crewmembers 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 in the theatre and clean up after yourselves!

Lastly, it is the student’s responsibility to keep their preferred email information updated, in order to receive important updates from both the instructor and school. This also involves alerts for emergency situations. A Facebook group page has been created for this course. Please check it often, keeping your notifications on and responding to needed information in a timely manner.

ATTENDANCE

The California Education Code states that every student is allowed two (2) absences. Please note that four (4) tardies equate to one (1) absence and that leaving early is considered the same as arriving late. The only absences that are considered excused are those that were submitted as conflicts upon being cast in the production.

Any unexcused absence or excessive tardies can result in your role in the production being altered and your grade will be affect. Upon a third absence, you will be considered dropped from the course completely. However, it is not the instructor’s responsibility to drop you from the course. If you do not do so and remain on the roster at the end of the semester when grades are given, you will receive an “F.”

GRADING: (Est. points available for the class.)

Participation (36 x 5 pts)                                      180 pts

Written Character Analysis                                100 pts

Marketing Project                                                  100 pts

Script Breakdown w/Units & Beats                      25 pts

Incorporation of Direction/Blocking                       25 pts

Facilitation of Acting Process/Methodologies     25 pts

Note Taking                                                            20 pts

Performances (5 x 5 pts)                                      25 pts                                                                                                                       Total: 500 pts

Grading scale:

500 - 448 points = A

447 - 398 points = B

397 - 348 points = C

347 - 298 points = D

297 - 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 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

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 a revised syllabus.