12/22/2024 1:25:41 AM	THAR 13A Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 13A	Title:  STYLES PERF WORKSHOP 1
Full Title:  Performance Workshop: Styles, Periods and Skills 1
Last Reviewed:4/12/2021

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	3.00		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	52.50
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	5.00			Contact Total	87.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  THAR 13.1A

Catalog Description:

Introduction to three different acting styles, including non-realistic styles and period realism, as well as further study of acting theory and specialized performance skills. Styles to be studied change each time the course is offered. This combination instruction/performance ensemble course requires night rehearsals during the last two weeks of classes and culminates in two performances of a public showcase.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of THAR 10B AND Concurrent Enrollment in THAR13AL

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Introduction to three different acting styles, including non-realistic styles and period realism, as well as further study of acting theory and specialized performance skills. Styles to be studied change each time the course is offered. This combination instruction/performance ensemble course requires night rehearsals during the last two weeks of classes and culminates in two performances of a public showcase.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of THAR 10B AND Concurrent Enrollment in THAR13AL
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Prepare, rehearse, and perform material from plays requiring non-realistic styles,    

     period realism, and/or specialized performance skills at a beginning level.

2. Adapt their character development process and performance techniques to meet

    the needs of a play's specific style, period, and/or specialized performance demands

    at a beginning level.

3. Identify and explain major historical, literary, and cultural forces that shaped the

    development of a play's specific style and/or period, as well as the relationship

    of those forces to the acting techniques required.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate performance skills through a variety of non-realistic acting styles, period

    realism, and/or plays requiring specialized performance skills (e.g. dialects, unarmed

    combat, period movement, etc.) at a beginning acting level.

2. Identify the influence of historical events, literature and culture on the theatrical practices

    of various periods.

3. Analyze and score scripts, applying style-appropriate and/or period-appropriate techniques.

4. Conduct research and text analysis in preparation for roles from styles and periods of plays.

5. Translate basic acting theories and analytical concepts into practical application

    through performance interpretations.

6. Create and sustain the distinct physical, vocal, and behavioral components of multiple

    characters, while adapting to the performance requirements of specific styles, periods,

    and/or special performance techniques.

7. Revise and enhance acting choices, objectively incorporating the feedback of others,

    and utilizing the rehearsal process as a period of creative exploration.

8. Define individual acting obstacles and determine individual strengths.

9. Critique the work of others, utilizing terms and concepts relating to the specific style,

    period, and/or specialized skill being performed.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to Period and Non-Realistic Acting Styles

    A. Defining style

    B. Researching a style or period

    C. Personal acting development when studying styles and periods

II.  Introduction to Acting Standards of Professionalism

III. Introduction of Style Units:

      Each time the course is offered, three different styles will studied and performed,

       selected by the instructor using the following criteria:

           -  At least one non-realistic style, preferably two

                   (e.g. Greek, Kabuki, Commedia dell 'Arte, Farce, Comedy of Manners,

                  Absurdism, Brechtian, Post Modernism, Political Satire, etc.)

           -  At least one from a period prior to the mid-20th century

                   (preferably one that requires period manners and movement)

           -  At least one comedic style

           -  At least one dramatic or tragic style

           -  At least one should require a special performance skill

                  (e.g. dialects, unarmed combat, playing a disability, interview-based, etc.)

       Each style unit may focus on material from a single representative play, an

       individual playwright's body of work, or works by multiple playwrights. A record

       of past units taught is kept on file by the department.  

VI. Performing Non-Realistic Styles

    A. Historical and/or theoretical context

    B. Script and character analysis

    C. Vocal characterization within the style

    D. Physical characterization within the style              

V. Performing Period Plays

    A. Historical and theoretical context

    B. Script and character analysis

    C. Vocal demands of the style

    D. Movement requirements of the style

VI. Specialized Performance Skills

    A. Historical and/or theoretical context

    B. Script and character analysis

    C. Vocal demands of the style

    D. Movement requirements

    E. Techniques and terminology relating to the skill

VII. Rehearsal and Performance Techniques

    A. Rehearsing with peers

    B. Script preparation

         1. Excerpting and cutting

         2. Timing

    C. Staging

         1. Developing a basic floorplan

         2. Blocking in 3/4 thrust

         3. Sight lines and upstaging

    D. Rehearsal costumes and props

    E. Performance costumes and props

VIII. Vocal Techniques

    A. Articulation

    B. Projection

    C. Characterization

    D. Stylization (verse, rhyme, etc.)

    E. Pronunciation and dialect/accent

IV. Physical Techniques

    A. Characterization

    B. Movement and timing

    C. Style-specific movement (period movement, etc.)

X. Preparing for the Showcase

       [These topics are introduced in THAR 13.1A and

         applied in the corequisite course, THAR 13.1AL.]

    A. Rehearsing a composite performance

         1. Order and shape of the performance

         2. Transitional and introductory material

         3. Cutting and excerpting

         4. Differentiating multiple characters

    B. Incorporating production elements

         1.  Lights

         2.  Costumes and costume changes

         3.  Staging transitions

    C. Performance techniques in production

         1. Personal and group warm-ups

         2. Maintaining consistency and focus

         3. Handling nerves

         4. Handling audience responses

         5. Handling the unexpected

 

All topics above are covered in the lecture and lab portions of the course.

Topics are introduced during lecture instruction and actively expanded upon

during lab instruction.

Assignments:

1. Participation in group exercises during course of study.  Exercises may include:

    A. Discussions of acting theory based on assigned readings

    B. Improvisations and style exercises

    C. Vocal exercises for clarity, projection, dialect and style

    D. Physical exercises for relaxation, flexibility, and control

    E. Period movement and manners

 

2. Performance Assignments:

    The student will perform a scene and/or monologue for each of the three units of

    study for the course, each assignment demonstrating an understanding and

    competence in the specific acting style and/or specialized acting skill.  Each scene

    or monologue will be performed within a time limit suitable for inclusion in the

    Showcase (scenes - approx. 2-5 minutes; monologues - approx. 1-2 minutes).

 

3. Read 3 plays (one for each performance assignment), as well as supporting

    material for each unit, as assigned.  (Optional: Instructor may give one-three

    short quizzes to assess reading comprehension).

 

4. Written Assignments for Each Unit: The student will complete written analysis

    assignments for each unit, conducting research, answering character and

    script analysis questions, and completing some form of script scoring. These

    may be individual assignments and/or collaborative assignments with

    scene/team partners. While assignment length varies according to the unit's style,

    period, or skill focus, most require approx. 1000-1500 words per unit. Depending on

    the requirements of a specific unit, students may also complete dialect scoring,

    scansion, interview transcription, translation comparisons, or other preparation tasks.

 

5. Showcase Preparation - Students are registered for the course corequisite,

    THAR 13.1AL, which encompasses the evening rehearsals and performances for

    the course's public Showcase. In preparation, students spend the last weeks of

    THAR 13.1A participating in the Showcase planning process - working with the

    instructor to select Showcase material from the semester's work, reviewing and

    polishing that material, making additional cuts, learning/rehearsing new material (when

    necessary), and completing related planning tasks.

 

6. Attend two Theatre Arts Department productions (free ticket voucher provided).

    Participate in class discussion regarding the style and acting demands within each

    production and their relationship to course content.  (Cast and crew members are

    still able to meet this assignment.)

 

7. Professionalism and Attendance

    Adhere to the following standards of acting professionalism throughout the course:

    A. Arrive promptly and prepared for all class meetings, outside rehearsals,

         and performances.

    B. Maintain an amiable and supportive attitude when interacting with

         other members of the performance ensemble.

    C. Participate actively in class discussions and exercises.

    D. Work collaboratively with scene partners.

    E. Perform each role in a conscientious and dedicated manner.

    F. Respectfully follow director's instructions in Showcase

         preparation and maintain that direction in performance.

    G. Strive to maintain good health and safety practices.

    H. Follow the terms of the course syllabus.

 

8.  Optional Assignment: Attend 1-2 professional productions in the style(s) being

    studied. Discounted group tickets will be arranged; students provide

    their own transportation. Students unable to attend the performance, either with the

    group or independently, may be given a suitable alternative assignment (such as

    viewing a filmed production in the same style).

 

All assignments above apply to both the lecture and lab portions of the course.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 20 - 35%
Character analysis; script analysis; research summary; script preparation assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 60 - 70%
Class performances (scenes and/or monologues); showcase preparation
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 5%
Short reading quizzes (optional)
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 15%
Professionalism--attendance, promptness, and preparation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Acting With Style. 3rd ed. Harrop, John and Epstein, Sabin.  3rd ed. Prentice Hall. 1999 (classic)

 

Style for Actors: A Handbook for Moving Beyond Realism. 3rd ed. Barton, Robert. Routledge. 2020

 

Scripts for each assigned scene or monologue.

 

Instructor prepared materials

Print PDF