Course Syllabus

The Description

Objectives from the Course Description:

1. Develop an understanding and demonstrate control of basic physical and vocal acting techniques.

2. Understand and demonstrate basic techniques of characterization.

3. Utilize the Stanislavski Approach to acting technique.

4. Develop and exhibit competence in ensemble acting.

5. Analyze, rehearse, and perform a scripted text from a modern or contemporary play.

 

About John:  I love teaching acting and witnessing students access their unique ability and talent.  I have lived and directed theatre in many parts of the world: I was a headmaster in a high school in Kenya when I was in my 20s, two years in China during the Tiananmen Square conflict , three years in Guatemala where I was the Artistic Director of El Sitio Players… as well a three-month honey-moon in India where I directed high-school theatre, a spiritual community in Scotland, a seminary in Chicago where I got my first Masters in Theology, New York City where I got a Masters in TESL, Colorado where I got my Masters and PhD in Theatre at CU in Boulder.  I have one book published Grappling with Atrocity: Guatemalan Theatre in the 90s and dedicated it to my two adopted children from Guatemala, Maggie and Giancarlo and my wife Elizabeth who died of Leukemia in October 2006.  At the college I have directed Once in a Lifetime, 4x4, Dead Man Walking, Circus Acts and Anatomy of Gray, Macbeth, Barbara Kingsolver Stories, Voice of the Prairie, Our Town, Jesus Christ Superstar, Trouble in Mind, The Phantom of the Opera, Almost Maine, The Music Man, In the Heights, The Little Mermaid and How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. 

 

I love teaching and learning from the insights of students who are engaged, open and wanting to stretch themselves.

 

The Facts

Transferable: CSU and UC

Grading: Grade only.

Required Text: .Acting Onstage and Off   Robert Barton  6th Edition

Required Reader: THAR 10A. With the name John Shillington, Instructor on cover.  

Recommended Preparation: Eligibility for English 100A.

 

Grading

Written Work 90 pt. 

• Play Critique (50 pt.)
• 6 take home quizzes from reading (60pt.)
• Test on Terms (40 pt.)

Performance Work 350 pt.

• Exercise 1 (30 pt.)
• Exercise 2 (30 pt.)
• Exercise 3 (30 pt.)
• Exercise 4 (30 pt.)
• Exercise 5 (30 pt.)
• Scene Rehearsal Process (50 pt.)
• Final Monologue Performance and process (50 pt.)
• Final Scene Performance (50 pt.)

Participation, Preparation, Attitude, Professionalism (50 pt.) 50 pt. 

 

450-500 pt = A 400-449 pt = B  350-399 pt = C  300-349 pt = D  0-299 = F Total: 500 pt. 100%

 

Want to know how you are doing throughout the semester? Here is how to figure it out:

I don’t  “give” you a grade; you earn it, based on the work you do. Here is how you do it: Add up the number of possible points from all the assignments completed so far. Then, multiply that possible total times .90 (A), .80 (B), .70 (C), and .60 (D) to get the grade ranges. Now, total the number of actual points you have scored so far for those same assignments and see where your grade fits within those ranges. (Don’t forget to add in extra credit you’ve earned.) Note: Your participation grade is not calculated until the end of the semester, but you should have a fairly good idea of how well you’ve been doing in those areas.

 

Theatre Arts Attendance Policy

• You are allowed a total of 3 absences for the semester without point penalty. These include both excused and unexcused absences, work conflicts, illness, the Russian River flooding, family emergencies, etc. I recommend that you use them only for such events.
• Excessive absence for the course: Your final grade for the course will be reduced one full letter grade for the fourth absence, another full letter grade for the fifth absence, and three full letter grades for the sixth absence. If you have six absences (excused or not) the best grade you would be able to receive for the course would be a D. However, given all of the class time you would have missed, the chance of you passing would be very slim.
• I start warm up for class right at 9AM and I use the entire class period. Every class.
• If you are late for class, the time missed will be added together to count as an unexcused absence. If you are late, please catch my eye when you come into the room and give me a quick ‘excuse me’ and I will respond with ‘thank you.’

• Signing the sign-in sheet at the start of each class is your responsibility.
• Failure to attend any scheduled rehearsal (in or out of class) or performance may result in a zero for that assignment.
• Any anticipated absences for the semester (class/team events, work conferences, personal responsibilities, etc) must be discussed with me within the first two weeks of class and will count as part of your three absences.
• For the purpose of late work, an ‘Excused Absence’ is defined as: illness or hospitalization accompanied by a note from your doctor for an office visit or hospitalization.
• Please call in when you are ill.  We are a team now. We need to know where you are!
• Go to the bathroom BEFORE CLASS and DURING the break….. not DURING THE CLASS!!

 

Late Work Policy    

• • Make up work (written and performance) for valid emergencies is due at the beginning of the next class period.
• • All written and performance assignments are due at the start of class. Late written assignments (including assignments due on days you have an unexcused absence,) will be reduced by one full letter grade. They will be accepted anytime up to 11 PM on the day they are due. You may email or fax these assignments by 11 PM. Or you may drop off a hard copy of the assignment to the Theatre Arts office anytime before 5 PM on the day it is due. Be sure to have someone in the Theatre Arts office initial the drop off time. There are some exceptions to this policy. For instance, if the content of the assignment is going to be discussed in class on the due date (one example would be critiques of SRJC performances), late assignments will not be accepted.
• • Performance assignments may only be made up for excused absences and they must be done at the next class period following the absence.
• • Final written and performance exams: Attendance is mandatory.

It shall be the policy of the Sonoma County Junior College District to maintain an attendance policy and

procedures consistent with State and local requirements.

1.0 Attendance

1.1 Students are expected to attend all sessions of the course in which they are enrolled.

1.2 Any student with excessive absences may be dropped from the class.

2.0 Excessive Absence Defined

2.1 A student may be dropped from any class when that student's absences exceed ten

percent (10%) of the total hours of class time.

2.2 Instructors shall state in each course syllabus what constitutes excessive absence for

that course.

3.0 Excused vs. Unexcused absences 

3.1 Unless state or federal law requires that the absence be deemed excused, no instructor

shall be required to make a distinction between excused and unexcused absences.

3.2 If individual Instructors wish to distinguish between excused and unexcused absences

the instructor shall state in each course syllabus all criteria for any excused absences in   

addition to those required by state or federal law. 

4.0 Nonattendance

4.1 Students who fail to attend the first two class meetings of a full semester course may be dropped by the instructor.

 

Email

Good old-fashioned email is the way that instructors at the college are going to be communicating with you. You have a responsibility to check your email everyday.

 

Tips for Success

• • Participate! While it is up to you whether you attend or not (see attendance policy regarding three absences above), Participation is 10% of your grade.  The secret to a great learning experience is your own active participation in the class environment—discussing, listening, contributing ideas, taking notes, volunteering for improvisations without a ton of coaxing on my part, supporting your peers and daring to speak up too. If you are shy or find it had to volunteer or speak up in class, please know that I totally understand.. Let me know and I’ll try to help.
• • COME TO CLASS. 50% of life is just showing up! Seriously.
• • Whenever you miss a class, or know you will be absent, it’s up to you to get any missed instructions, announcements, handouts, etc. Check the class calendar first and then check in with me, preferably during office hours. Here’s a secret: Instructors really don’t like the question, “Did I miss anything important?” Of course you did! For notes on class material you’ve missed, make a friend in class and get their notes.
• • No excuses. I’ve heard lots of excuses over the years and believe me some have been very creative! Please, do us all a favor and be honest with me. I know what complicated lives you are balancing. And I know how tough college can be (I was in college and grad school for a total of ten years after all). So, if you hit a rough patch please come see me as soon as possible. There are resources here on campus that are just waiting to help you. However, I’m still going to hold you to the standards of the class because you deserve nothing less. 
• • Even in the best of circumstance, we can put our foot in our mouth. If anyone (including me) says or does something that hurts or worries you, please come talk to me. Better to clear things up than to let things fester.
• • If you need to reach me, all of my contact info is listed on this Syllabus and on the Lesson Plan. While email is a great way to communicate with me, I don’t recommend using it for time sensitive issues; if you really need to reach me fast, call my office or Angela in the Theatre Arts Office. If you need to leave me a note or get a paper to me (if you are sick), place it in my mailbox. If you can’t make my office hours, please call or email me and we will arrange an alternative time to meet. I’m here for you! But you will have the best results if you schedule time with me and avoid trying to get answers as I’m walking to my next class or a meeting.
• • Turn off that cell phone. You don’t want to endure my wrath . No texting. Really.

Dropping a Class

If you have been in class for one class period and you need to drop, it is your responsibility to drop yourself from the course.  Instructors are required to drop you from class if you do not attend the first two class meetings. It is illegal for you to be in class without being registered for the course.

SRJC Performances

You are required to see the two department productions this Spring: All the Great Books (Abridged) and Jesus Christ Superstar.   You will receive 10 Participation points for attending each show. Keep your ticket stub with your name on it and your program and turn them in to me on the due date (the first class after the show closes). You are required to write an acting critique of one of the shows. A handout on the style and content of this paper and a grading rubric for this assignment are in your reader. This paper is due the first class day after the closing of the show. Box Office Hours: WThF 12-5 PM. (Note: If you are cast in or are working backstage on one of the shows, you will still get the 10 points for Participation.)

 

Scene Performance/Monologue Performance

You will be performing one scene and one monologue for the semester. (That’s a total of 2 plays you’ll need to read.) Here are your responsibilities:

• Scene/Monologue Selection: one scene and one monologue in the style of Realism for the semester. Nothing off the Internet please. You will be choosing your monologue, I will be choosing your scene.
• Performance Ready: Have each scene/monologue well memorized and ready to present on the assigned day.
• Out-of-Class Rehearsals for Scene/Monologue: five to six outside-of-class rehearsals will be necessary for rehearsing each scene/monologue. You and your partner are equally responsible for scheduling and honoring these rehearsals.
• Scene Partners: You will work with a scene partner this semester, which may include someone with more or less experience and/or dedication than you. This demands patience, tolerance, and a kind heart. Rule of the theatre (and life): Make your partner look good!
• Scene Partner Obligation: You take on a very serious responsibility when you sign up for a performance class. Partners are expected and required to be on time, prepared, and to share in the labor involved.

• Purchase of Scripts: If you choose a monologue from a script that is not in the library, it may require that you purchase the script. These usually cost between $5.50 and $10.00.

 

Note to Class

Because this is a class of sharing and discovery for all students, there are a couple of issues we need to discuss to be alertly sensitive about.

• In our activities and improvisation, though you are required at times to think impulsively, please try to keep yourself guarded against portraying offensive stereotypes, particularly those targeted towards race and sexual orientation.  Everybody's interpretations and humor limits vary.  Please try to keep that in perspective.

• Please understand that because this is an interactive class there may be a need to touch and be touched by the teacher and other students.  For my part, know that my intentions are purely clinical and geared toward your development in the class.  For your part, please keep in mind you are here to learn and help the development of you fellow student who is depending on you and trusting your judgment.  If you ever feel like the personal agenda you are toting on a particular class day would interfere with your comfortable participation in such activities, discretely notify me before class and I will try to steer you away from such situations.  If you have a problem with this, please feel free to talk to me.

• Occasionally scene work or improvisation may become emotionally upsetting or seem out of control.  At this time any student or I may call “TIME OUT”.  There will be no discussion or blame but a chance for everyone to breathe and regain personal control.  Remember:  We are here to make art not freak you (or us) out.
• There are some class exercises that are only effective if done very quickly. For example: tongue twisters are most effective when done quickly. If you have any disability that prevents you from fully participating in these exercises, please see me privately so that we can work together to find a solution.
• Theatre encompasses all aspects of life and human nature, including the base, sexy, or raunchy as well as the holy, beautiful or sublime. Some of the scripts that we use in class will definitely be R rated. If something disturbs you, come and talk to me.

• I am very much looking forward to working with you and creating some ART!

 

From SRJC’s Administrators

“All students shall comply with the standards of conduct. If a student disrupts the learning environment in any way, s/he will be asked to leave class for two class meetings and will be subject to further disciplinary action.”  If you have not read the Student Code of Conduct (and let’s be honest, who has?) you might want to check it out. Go to http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/rules-regulations/scs. Santa Rosa Junior College is Hate Free Campus and a Smoke Free Campus.

 

 Student Conduct

We will conduct ourselves in a manner which reflects our awareness of common standards of decency and the rights of others.  All students are expected to know the Student Conduct Code (http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/rules-regulations/scs/section1.shtml) and adhere to it in this class.  Students who violate the code may be suspended from 2 classes and referred to Vice President of Student Services for discipline. 

 

Respect

The best way to learn is through active participation; therefore, we respect others when talking by being on-time, listening actively, and by being polite even when we disagree with another’s viewpoint.  Please turn off all electronic devices.  If you use a laptop for note taking, please sit in the front row with the sound off.  No food in class please.

 

Academic Integrity

All written work is to be original; plagiarism of any kind will result in a failing grade on that assignment.  Students who plagiarize or cheat may be suspended [ for one or two class meetings by the instructor] and referred to the Vice President of Student Services for discipline sanction, in cases of egregious violation. Please read the college policy/procedure on academic integrity at: http://www.santarosa.edu/polman/3acadpro/3.11P.pdf

 

Emergency Evacuation Plan

In the event of an emergency during class that requires evacuation of the building, please leave the class immediately, but calmly. Our class will meet just outside in front of the classroom to make sure everyone got out of the building safely and to receive further instructions. If you are a student with a disability who may need assistance in an evacuation, please see me during my office hours as soon as possible so we can discuss an evacuation plan.

 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you need disability related accommodations for this class, such as a note taker, test taking services, special furniture, etc., please provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to the instructor as soon as possible. You may also speak with the instructor privately during office hours about your accommodations. If you have not received authorization from DRD, it is recommended that you contact them directly. DRD is located in Analy Village on the Santa Rosa campus, and Jacobs Hall on the Petaluma Campus.

 

This syllabus is an agreement, continued registration in this course means that you agree to the policies and procedures outlined in this syllabus.

This syllabus is intended to give the student guidance in what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the instructor reserves the right to modify, supplement and make changes as the course needs arise.

Emergency Preparedness

• • Register your Cell Phone with ALERT U

Sign Up Instructions:
1) With your cell, text SRJC to 253788 (ALERTU).
2) You will receive a welcome text message:
Please join the Santa Rosa Junior College's Emergency Alert System. No spam. Reply Y to sign up.
3) Reply "Y".
4) That's it!

• • Immediate Emergency Dial 527-1000!
• • Do not dial 911from on campus
• • Evacuate to the front lawn of the college. This is our meeting place. Take your stuff with you.
• • There are exits from the Building out our doors to the left (back of building, and costume shop) and to the right (out the Theatre Arts office hallway, out the doors by the speech department, and out the front of Burbank).
• • No student may be driven to the hospital by a faculty member. We are required by law to call an ambulance.
• • Please notify the instructor if you have any medical condition that puts you at risk.
• •

 

Earthquakes

Most of the injuries that occur during earthquakes are caused by interior items falling on the building occupants, such as books, shelves, light fixtures and ceiling tile. Consequently, the first thing to do during an earthquake is to take shelter under desks, tables and cover your heads. After the shaking stops and if there is damage, tell the class to collect their possessions calmly and evacuate the building to the area designated in the Handbook or pre-determined by the instructor.

 

Power Outage

If the power does go out during class and does not return in a reasonable length of time such as ten minutes, then evacuate the classroom. Caution students that there is no rush and they should take their time exiting the building. Emergency lighting may or may not be functioning in the room, hallway, or stairways.

 

Reporting an Emergency

Know the location of the nearest telephone to each classroom or lecture hall.

a. Call JCPD Dispatch at 527-1000 any hour or day of the week

b. Tell the Department Safety Leader for your area

c. Report power and utility issues to Facility Operations at 527-4231

 

PS:

No food/drinks in class please.  Water bottles are fine.  Wear clothes you can move in (this includes shoes).  Absolutely no skirts, sandals, or other open-toes shoes.

 

Enough already. Let’s play!