Academic Catalog

THTR 20B: ACTING II

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
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

  • Employ the voice and body as an instrument of expression applicable to mutiple performance and interpersonal situations through analyzing multiple dramatic texts from an empathetic perspective.
  • Exercise augmented skills and methodologies targeting the ability to analyze multiple sources of dramatic text for dialogue, relationship, and related characteristics, transferring that analysis to enhanced,

Description

Further development of concepts introduced in THTR 20A, emphasizing comprehensive expansion of the students' performance potential through probing greater depths of character analysis and text interpretation.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Identify and incorporate nuances of human conversation by relating psychological prompts to text analysis.
  2. Apply analysis of setting, character, relationship, and other vital premises, as they relate to the generation of personal interaction and dialogue.
  3. Recognize the critical importance of spontaneity and engendering the appearance of spontaneity to all acting work.
  4. 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

  1. 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
  2. In-depth dialogue text analysis derived from a broad scope of culturally diverse dramatic literature for performance
  3. 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
  4. Script performance, improvisations, and theatre games based on perspectives of empathy towards character individuals and the cultures represented
    1. Situational prompts
    2. Representative literature
    3. Visual suggestions
    4. Properties
    5. Costume pieces

Lab Content

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

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Clothing suitable for rehearsal work.
2. A flexible, open-space classroom.
3. Rehearsal furniture and props.
4. Video recording and playback equipment.
5. 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:

Lectures targeting skill based foundations
Discussion based in analysis of student performances
Cooperative learning exercises, such as theatre games and group performance preparation
Oral presentations of rehearsed scene performances and preparation practices
Laboratory preparation of performance exercises
Demonstration of skill based foundations accompanying lectures
Field trip study of applicable professional or community productions
Through structured lecture, instructor 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

Hagan, Uta. Respect for Acting. 2023.

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

  1. Read assigned individual and/or class scripts.
  2. Write personal reflection journal.
  3. Write live performance critique.
  4. Write reflection journal.
  5. Analysis of assigned text readings.

Discipline(s)

Theater Arts