Acting Program

The Theatre Acting Program is designed to train actors in a wide range of skills, techniques and experiences that provide a broad overview of theatrical performance, practice, history and literature. The overall arc of the program is to begin by establishing a foundation in the first year, moving into progressively more challenging work in years two and three, and finally exploring each student's unique artistic voice in the final year. As this is a new program, it is understood that this arc and the specific courses listed below may change as the school, the program and the students develop. However, the end goal remains to provide a high level of instruction and experiences that prepare students for further study at the college level or entrance into the profession.

ACTING PERFORMANCE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Acting I/II/III/IV 8
Voice & Speech I/II 2
Theatre History & Lit. I/II 2
Movement I/II 2
Theatre Production 1
Special Techniques 1
Period Speech and Movement 1
Elective 2
Professional Development 1
TOTAL 20

1st Year – Foundations

Acting I

Using improvisation as a basis for the fall semester, students will explore a connection to the self and their ensemble. They will begin with exercises and techniques developed by Viola Spolin to explore and heighten their connection to sensory life, environment and relationship in order to develop their creativity, imagination and understanding of human behavior. They also will develop skills related to scenic objectives, listening, impulse, problem solving, physical and verbal communication and given circumstances. Building on the work of the fall, students will begin to work with text (existing and self-generated) such as monologues and short scenes in the spring semester. They will be expected to take all the skills they have developed in the first half of the year and to begin to apply them to the text.

Theatre History and Literature I

This class is a survey of Western theatrical history, drama and practices from Classical Athens through the Restoration. Students will study the social, political, cultural and historical influences of each period to understand the context in which theatre was created. Likewise, they will explore the means by which theatre was produced and practiced including theatre companies, acting styles, design and architecture. They also will study the dramatic literature of each period including a critical analysis of each text.

Voice and Speech I

In year one, the focus of the Voice and Speech class is to create a greater awareness of and connection to the actor’s natural voice. Further, it is to free that natural voice toward greater psychological and physical connections and improved self-awareness, imagination, expressiveness and embodiment. Students will focus on breath and vocal production, opening the channels of communication and releasing tension to begin to build vocal strength and connect the voice to creative impulses.

Movement I

Movement in year one will focus on the fundamentals of body awareness, sense, and awareness through movement. The fall semester likely will use yoga as a means to discover body mechanics, physical alignment, connection to breath, and self-awareness. The spring semester will explore full body awareness through Feldenkrais or a similar technique with an emphasis on the ability to sense and establishing awareness through movement.

2nd Year – Realism

Acting II

Scene study and acting techniques with a focus on 19th and 20th century realism.

Theatre History and Literature II

A continuation of the first year’s study with an emphasis on 19th-century, 20th-century and contemporary Europe and the United States.

Voice and Speech II

The focus is on refining the actor’s use of voice through deepening his/her experience of resonance along with clarifying vowel and consonant articulation.

Movement II

An exploration of movement through space and in groups. Specific courses may include Laban technique and Contact Improvisation.

3rd Year – Periods and Styles

Acting III

Scene study of various theatrical periods with an emphasis on texts with heightened language and physicality.

Special Techniques

In support of the year’s focus on periods and styles, special technique classes may include such subjects as Stage Combat, Clowning and Comedia dell’arte.

Theatre Production

An overview of theatrical production, basic stagecraft and design.

Period Speech and Movement

One semester of voice study focusing on heightened language and text, and one semester of movement study focusing on dances and movement from various periods and cultures.

4th Year – Artistic Voice and Preparation

Acting IV

An exploration of an original theatrical work created, developed and produced by the students.

Professional Development

Preparation for college auditions and/or entrance into the profession including an overview of the business of acting and audition preparation.

Electives

An opportunity for students to explore other areas. Classes may include Directing, Playwrighting, Musical Theatre, Social Dance, Independent Study.