Academic Catalog

THTR 20B: ACTING II

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2021
Units: 4
Hours: 4 lecture, 1 laboratory per week (60 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: THTR 20A.
Advisory: This course is included in the Acting family of activity courses; not open to students with credit in DRAM 20B.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Upon completion of this course students will further develop the voice and body as an instrument of expression applicable in multiple public and interactive situations through the means of analyzing the precise triggers and nature of dialogue interaction from an empathetic platform. Additionally, students will gain confidence through the experience of interaction--applicable in both interpersonal and performance circumstances.
  • Upon satisfactory completion of this course, through the employment of enhanced techniques and methodologies, the student will develop the ability to thoroughly analyze text from multi-cultural sources, and performance content for self-advancement. Students will be able to employ intermediate acting premises towards a confident, embodied performance at an increasingly advanced level from previous sequence course.

Description

Further development of concepts introduced in THTR 20A, with emphasis to expanding the students' performance potential through probing greater depths of character analysis and text interpretation.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:
A. Identify and incorporate nuances of human conversation by relating psychological prompts to text analysis.
B. Apply analysis of setting, character, relationship and other vital premises as they relate to the generation of personal interaction and dialogue.
C. Recognize the critical importance of spontaneity and engendering the appearance of spontaneity to all acting work.
D. Apply and employ skills of improvisation and theatre games to formal, rehearsed acting work, in the performance of scenes drawn from a broad range of multi-ethnic/multi-cultural sources.

Course Content

A. Active, practical engagement of acting theories targeted towards developing realistic recreation of personal interaction, for example:
1. Stanislavsky approach
2. Contemporary methodologies based in Stanislavsky approach
B. In-depth dialogue text analysis derived from a broad scope of culturally diverse dramatic literature for performance
C. Incorporation of the premises of logic of cause and effect in dramatic action and principles of motivation as they relate to human behavior and active life choices
D. Improvisations and theatre games based on:
1. Situational prompts
2. Poetry
3. Word cues
3. Visual suggestions
4. Properties
5. Costume pieces
6. Masks from various cultures

Lab Content

A. Cooperative rehearsal of class assignments and projects.
B. Individual and partner exploration and self-analysis of concepts and exercises introduced in class.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

A. Clothing suitable for rehearsal work.
B. A flexible, open-space classroom.
C. Rehearsal furniture and props.
D. Video recording and playback equipment.
E. Tutorial support for student scene work.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Evaluation of student scenes, improvisations and acting projects
Demonstration of theory and techniques acquired, depth of dramatic characterization, consistency of vocal and bodily execution through prepared performance
Assessed development of accepted standards of theatre discipline
Required written assignments, specifically demonstration by the student of involvement in the course material through written critiques by the student of projects and assignments, followed by the instructor's evaluation of both the project and the critique

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Oral presentations
Laboratory
Demonstration
Field trips
Through structured lecture, teacher demonstrations and guided student rehearsal, the student will explore and apply the techniques of study to formal, rehearsed work
Students will actively, practically develop an enhancement of a personally-developed acting process through exposure to the listed primary outline topics

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Petit, Leonard. The Michael Chekhov Handbook: For the Actor. 2019.

Boleslavsky, Richard. Acting: The First Six Lessons. 2013.

Specific playscripts, tailored to individual student needs, selected by the instructor.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

A. Read assigned individual and/or class scripts.
B. Write personal reflection journal.
C. Write live performance critique.
D. Write reflection journal.
E. Analysis of assigned text readings.

Discipline(s)

Theater Arts