Expanded Approaches to Practical Acting

Catalog description

This course is designed to explore the actor's instrument--specifically, the vocal, physical, and imaginative tools necessary for the creative work of the actor through extensive and deeply explored scene work. Students will examine the creative process practically and theoretically, through exercises, improvisation, psychophysical actions, and text work. The course explores approaches to and theories about acting that are rooted in the techniques of Constantin Stanislavsky, Uta Hagen and Larry Moss and others, while also incorporating students’ personal/biographical material, some “found text” incorporated by the instructor to augment guided improvisations, and theoretical discussions around performance and performativity. In this way, the class combines disciplines usually found in more experimental venues. Throughout, a high educational premium is placed on the material discovered in student collaboration to generate new ideas about character. This course seeks students who are or who would like to be more adventurous as performing artists. Students who are willing to expand their imaginations, to explore the boundaries of their physical and psychological senses and who are willing to take risks onstage in the pursuit of a visceral and deeply personal connection with imaginary given circumstances within guided improvisations and scene work with their fellow actors. This course seeks curious-minded students who want to explore the motivations and inner imagery that animate their own behavior and those of the characters they will be asked to embody. This is an advanced character study course and the expectations of this class will be held to industry standards of professionalism, preparation and work ethic.