T D X53T T D 353T Topics in Acting and Directing 3 Hours
3 Lecture Hours 0 Lab Hours
Topics in acting including voice/speech, movement, and directing. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with additional hours to be arranged.
Pre/Corequisites: Upper-division standing, and Theatre and Dance 313E with a grade of at least B - or consent of the acting/directing faculty.
Restrictions: Restricted to majors in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Grading: Student Option
Repeatable for credit: May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
Academic Level: Upper Division
Topic 1: Acting Shakespeare. Incorporating language as action by applying basic acting principles to the demand of Shakespearean text. Only one of the following may be counted: Theatre and Dance 323F, 353T (Topic: Acting Shakespeare), or 353T (Topic 1).
Topic 2: Comedy Acting. Focus on issues of acting in comedy. Address the problems that confront the actor when rehearsing and performing in extant comedy play scripts. Uses improvisational, non-theatrical, and original material for developing comedy skills. Participation as an actor is mandatory. Only one of the following may be counted: Theatre and Dance 351T (Topic: Comedy Acting), 353T (Topic: Comedy Acting), or 353T (Topic 2).
Topic 3: Dialects for the Stage. Emphasizes dialect skills and good vocal production for actors pursuing professional work. Emphasis is placed on independent dialect study projects. Theatre and Dance 353T (Topic: Dialects for the Stage) and 353T (Topic 3) may not both be counted.
Topic 4: Advanced Singing in Musical Theatre. Explore the significance of music, composers, shows, and singers as they relate to the use of voice. Additional prerequisite: Some facility with voice and a background in musical or choral theatre is recommended.
Topic 5: Stage Combat for the Actor. Introduction to theatrical fighting and violence. Explores the techniques used to create the illusion of stage fighting and violence both with and without weapons. Focus on the practical application of violence to tell stories on the stage and/or screen. An opportunity to have work observed in front of a Fight Master of the Society of American Fight Directors. Theatre and Dance 353T (Topic: Stage Combat for the Actor) and 353T (Topic 5) may not both be counted.
Topic 6: Audition Techniques. Developing skills for bringing your personal self to acting and to the audition. Theatre and Dance 353T (Topic: Audition Techniques) and 353T (Topic 6) may not both be counted.
Topic 11: Introduction to Creating New Media For Actors. Introduces student actors to strategies to grow as generative artists and master the basics of a few common media production tools to give their creative voice a broader reach in the world. Only one of the following may be counted: Theatre and Dance 320J, 353T (Topic: Intro to Creating New Media), or 353T (Topic 11).