Acting II: Advanced Scene Study

Catalog description

Building on Acting I: Introduction to the Actor's Craft, this class provides students with techniques and skills designed to help them make the transition from theater games, improvisation and basic text work to detailed scene study. After beginning with ensemble building exercises to create a safe and supportive environment conducive to bold, creative exploration, the class will focus on methods of script analysis; playing actions; particularizing emotional meanings; ways to make creative choices while respecting the playwright's intent, and how to balance spontaneity with precision and aspects of character development. The goal of the class is to enable students to make the journey from text analysis to a full, immediate and inventive embodiment of the given circumstances, character adjustments and dramatic action. Scenes will be drawn from a wide range of dramatic material. A NOTE ON ZOOM: it works wonderfully as a medium for the actor. It’s closer to film acting, but you will do everything to prepare, that you would in going on stage, or in front of a camera. You must be living in the moment with your partner: Zoom allows for the development of a real, personal relationship. Your living space is your “green room.” You can see yourself in a little box, and can “frame” yourself, as if you were behind the camera. Scenes will be recorded, so you can view your work. Rehearsing in Zoom is especially convenient. The acting exercises that I use, we will also do on Zoom. We will make full use of Improvisation.