SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 12:05:32 PMTHAR 13.2B Course Outline as of Fall 2021

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 13.2BTitle:  SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOP 2  
Full Title:  Performance Workshop: Shakespeare 2
Last Reviewed:4/26/2021

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled2.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled35.00
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled3.008 min.Lab Scheduled52.50
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total5.00 Contact Total87.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00Total 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 62.5

Catalog Description:
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Continuing the study of performing Shakespeare through an exploration of historical context, text analysis, acting theory, and performance techniques. Includes both in-depth monologue and scene work, resulting in a showcase performance open to the public.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Completion of THAR 13.2A AND Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 13.2BL


Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion of THAR 1 OR ENGL 27

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Continuing the study of performing Shakespeare through an exploration of historical context, text analysis, acting theory, and performance techniques. Includes both in-depth monologue and scene work, resulting in a showcase performance open to the public.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:Completion of THAR 13.2A AND Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 13.2BL
Recommended:Course Completion of THAR 1 OR ENGL 27
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:TransferableEffective:Fall 2015Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Spring 2016Inactive:
 
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:
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1. Demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the historical, literary, and cultural forces that
    shaped Elizabethan theatre and Shakespeare's plays.
2. Analyze Shakespeare's scripts at an intermediate level, utilizing various scansion
    techniques, vocal awareness terms, and acting theories.
3. Prepare, rehearse and perform Shakespeare scenes, monologues, and sonnets at a
    intermediate classical acting level.
4. Audition for a Shakespeare production, including performing a contrasting monologue
    package and participating in cold readings.

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.   Identify the influence of Elizabethan history, literature, and culture on Elizabethan theatrical
      practices at an iintermediate level.
2.   Identify the influence of Elizabethan history, literature, and culture on Shakespeare's writing
      at an intermediate level.
3.   Analyze and score Shakespeare scripts (verse and prose) utilizing terms and scansion
      techniques at increasingly complex levels.
4.   Conduct research and text analysis in preparation for roles from a different set of
       Shakespeare plays, demonstrating broader knowledge of the Shakespeare canon gained
      by working on different scripts.
5.   Translate intermediate Shakespeare acting theories and analytical concepts into practical
      application through performance interpretations with greater proficiency and confidence.
6.   Create and sustain the distinct physical, vocal, and behavioral components of multiple
      Shakespeare characters with greater proficiency and confidence.
7.   Revise and enhance acting choices, objectively incorporating the feedback of others, and
      utilizing the rehearsal process as a period of creative exploration.
8.   Assist beginning students in scansion and other interpretative techniques.
9.   Critique the work of others performing Shakespeare at a more discerning level, utilizing
      terms and concepts relating to the style.
10. Select and prepare a different set of contrasting Shakespeare audition material that
      highlights personal skills and casting potential, while adhering to audition criteria.

Topics and Scope
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SECOND EXPERIENCE TOPICS
As part of their second experience with Shakespeare in performance,
THAR 13.2B students will be introduced to the following topics during the course:
     
I. Review of Shakespeare
    A. Course introduction and acting professionalism standards
    B. Historical overview
    C. Shakespeare's works
    D. Shakespeare's voice in today's world
    E. Elizabethan vs. modern acting
    F. Research techniques and reference materials
    G. Selecting a script version
 
II. Approaching Shakespeare
    A. Overcoming anxieties about Shakespeare
    B. Review structural components
    C. Reading a Shakespeare play
 
III. Assist Peers
    A. Leading warm-up exercises
    B. Assisting peers with scansion techniques
    C. Peer scene and monologue coaching
 
IV. Intermediate Acting Skills Applied to Shakespeare
    A. Objectives, obstacles, actions, and motivations
    B. Substitution, personalization, and instincts
    C. Given and imaginary circumstances
    D. Character archetypes
    E. Acting styles
    F. Rehearsing and critiquing performances
 
V. Understanding Shakespeare's Language
    A. Heightened/elevated vs. naturalistic language
    B. Word definitions and spellings
    C. Figures of speech - meaning/usage
    D. Figures of speech - sound
    E. Playing with the language
         1. Allusions
         2. Puns and wordplay
         3. Slang and colloquial expressions
         4. Double meanings, entendre, bawdry
         5. Syntax, Schemes-unusual arrangements of words
         6. Tropes-unusual meanings of words
         7. Other organizational devices
    F. Analyzing the punctuation
    G. Identifying operative words
 
VI. Speaking Shakespeare's Verse
    A. Analyzing the meter
         1. Defining metrical feet and iambic pentameter
         2. Variations on iambic pentameter
         3. Using the Caesura
         4.  Utilizing punctuation from the First Folio
    B. Notating scansion
    C. Performance techniques for verse
         1. Rhythm, cadence, tempo, pace
         2. Phrasing
         3. Handling rhyming verse
         4. Breathing and breath support
         5. Handling line endings
 
VII. Speaking Shakespeare's Prose
    A. Functions of prose
    B. Interpretation techniques
    C. Verse/prose alternation
 
VIII. Preparing for Performance
    A. Rehearsal and performance process
    B. Scoring the text
    C. Comprehension and rehearsal techniques
    D. Balancing emotional truth and technique
    E. Vocal techniques and characterization
    F. Physical techniques and characterization
         1. Developing the character's body
         2. Supporting the text
         3. Supporting the style
              a. Elizabethan/Jacobean movement/manners
              b. Applying other styles to Shakespeare
 
IX. Other Shakespeare Performance Techniques
    A. Auditioning for a Shakespeare play
         1. Identifying strengths and casting type
         2. Researching and selecting monologues
         3. Preparing the text
         4. Rehearsing and staging
         5. Handling cold readings
    B. Related areas and further study
         1. Stage combat training
         2. Vocal training
         3. Period music and movement
         4. Period casting: gender reversal
         5. Playing roles out of type
 
X. Preparing for the Showcase
       [These topics are introduced in THAR 13.2B and applied in the
        corequisite course, THAR 13.2BL.]
    A. Rehearsing a composite performance
         1. Order and shape of the performance
         2. Transitional material
         3. Cutting and excerpting
         4. Differentiating multiple characters
    B. Performance techniques
         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:
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Students will complete approximately 4 hours of homework per week. Assignments
will include:
 
1. Reading: 10-40 pages/week (text, scripts, prepared materials), including approx.
    five Shakespeare plays during the semester.  (Ooptional:  Instructor may give 1-3
    short quizzes to assess reading comprehension).
 
2. Written Work and Problem-Solving:
    A. 1-4 short homework exercises, on subjects such as:
       - Shakespeare research for actors
       - Basic acting analysis
       - Sonnet scansion
       - Figures of speech
    B. Script scoring and analysis for monologues
    C. Script scoring and analysis for each scene
    D. Performance critiques (notes and/or 1-2 page papers critiquing performance work
       of self and others).
 
3. Performance Assignments:
    Stage, memorize, and perform the following -
    A. 1-2 Shakespeare sonnets
    B. 2 contrasting monologues (audition package)
    C. 2-3 partnered Shakespeare scenes
 
4. Showcase Preparation - Students are registered for the course corequisite,
     THAR 13.2BL, which encompasses the evening rehearsals and performances for
     the course's public Showcase. In preparation, students spend the last weeks of
     THAR 13.2B 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.
 
5. Showcase Analysis - Participate in Showcase follow-up discussion (held during
    scheduled class meeting during Finals week)
 
6. Production Viewing (outside of class):
    A. View 1-2 assigned Shakespeare productions (may be live performance or on video)
    B. Attend 1-3 Theatre Arts productions (free ticket vouchers provided).
 
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. Advanced Optional Assignment: As part of their second experience with Shakespeare,
    advanced students may also be assigned one or more of the  following, based on
    instructor assessment of student's aptitude for mentoring and current skill level:
    A. Lead peers in vocal/physical warm-up and exercises.
    B. Tutor peers in individual scansion assignments.
    C  Coach acting performances or serve as student director for a scene
    B. Perform in an additional scene
 
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
10 - 20%
Written homework, Script/Character Analysis; Performance Critiques
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
5 - 15%
Script scansion and scoring
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; additional scene (optional)
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
5 - 10%
Professionalism (includes attendance and participation); advanced assignment (optional) and optional quizzes


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Acting With Style. 3rd ed. Harrop, John and Epstein, Sabine. Allyn and Bacon. 2000 (classic)
The Actor And His Text. Berry, Cicely. Hal Leonard Corp. 2000 (classic)
Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the Works of Shakespeare. Asimov, Isaac. Avenel. 2003 (classic)
Essential Shakespeare Handbook. Dunton-Downer, Leslie and Riding, Alan. DK Adult. 2004 (classic)
The First Folio of Shakespeare: The Norton Facsimile. 2 Sub ed. W. W. Norton & Company. 1996 (classic)
Freeing Shakespeare's Voice: The Actor's Guide to Talking the Text. Linklater, Kristin. Theatre Communication Group. 1993 (classic)
How To Speak Shakespeare. Pritner, Cal and Colaianni, Louis. Santa Monica Press. 2001 (classic)
Playing Shakespeare: An Actor's Guide. Barton, John. Anchor Books. 2001 (classic)
Secrets of Acting Shakespeare: The Original Approach. Tucker, Patrick. Routledge. 2001 (classic)
Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary, Vol. 1 & 2. Schmidt, Alexander. Dover Publications, Inc.. 1971 (classic)
Shakescenes (Shakespeare For Two). Brown, John Russell (ed). Applause Books. 2000 (classic)
Shakespeare Without Fear: A User-Friendly Guide to Acting Shakespeare. Olivieri,  Joseph. Harcourt, Inc.. 2001 (classic)
 
Instructor Prepared Materials
 
Scripts for selected plays

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