Course Syllabus
THAR 13.1A (6150) & THAR 13.1B (5831)
PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP:
STYLES, PERIODS, & SKILLS
Course Syllabus Summary: SPRING 2022
Course Description
Each semester this course introduces experienced acting students to three acting “styles", which change every time the course is offered. While the emphasis of the course is on nonrealistic styles, past classes have also explored the challenging work of playwrights of period realism, realistic and non-realistic acting challenges in culture-specific plays, and specialized acting techniques.
Embracing the fact that we are living in unexpected times, we are doing something quite unexpected with this class this semester - it will be team-taught! Reed will be teaching the first style, we'll co-teach the second, and Laura will teach the third. Then, Laura will coordinate the Showcase preparations, while Reed coaches showcase material remotely (from Detroit!).
We will start with the art of Clowning, something very close to Reed's heart. After an exploration of the art of clowning as applied to a wide variety of entertainment forms, genres, and eras, you'll work in teams to prepare a Clowning Gag for this unit's final performance.
Next, we’ll explore the 20th Century theatrical movement known as Absurdism. Emerging in Europe as a response to the horrors of World War II, this intriguing theatrical form struck a cord with audiences around the world and influenced later movements, as well. We will be focusing primarily on the work of Ionesco and Beckett, although you will be introduced to other playwrights and interpretative artists, as well.
Thirdly, we'll dive into a Period Style to be announced. This last style will explore a period in which movement and manners were quite different than our own. STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION!
FINALLY, as we do each semester, we will assemble the best of the pieces you've worked on during the class to create a dynamic one-hour (well…approx. one-hour) Showcase open to the public in our brand new Studio Theatre. Along the way, we’ll view and discuss videos and productions both "on campus and off", which should help support the learning experience. It’s quite a ride!
Transferable: CSU and UC
Certificate: Satisfies a requirement for the Acting Certificate
Pass/No Pass/Audit: This course must be taken for a grade.
Corequisite Lab - THAR 13.1AL & BL
All students registered in THAR 13.1A & B must take the accompanying lab course: THAR 13.1AL (for those in THAR 13.1A) and THAR 13.1BL (for those in THAR 13.1B). These 1.5 unit lab courses encompass the night rehearsals and performances for the Showcase, which normally occur during the last two weeks of the regular semester prior to Finals. The rehearsal and performance schedule is announced and posted during the first weeks of classes so that students have ample time to plan.
Two Classes in One!
There are actually students from two classes together in this one class. First-time students take THAR 13.1A, with its companion lab, THAR 13.1AL. Students who wish to take the class a second time, studying new styles, are registered in THAR 13.1B and its companion lab, THAR 13.1BL. On rare occasions a student may wish to take THAR 13.1B and BL yet again; in those situations, they have petitioned with the college for permission to do so.
Since the styles change for this class every time it is offered, the class requirements for THAR 13.1B and BL are nearly identical to those in THAR 13.1A and AL. However, since repeating students are more experienced, they may be assigned special assignments such as peer coaching, leading warmups, or assisting others, depending on their skills and knowledge.
Student Learning Outcomes
(from the official Course Outline of Record – view full Outline on college’s website)
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Prepare, rehearse, and perform material from plays requiring non-realistic styles, period realism and/or specialized performance skills at a beginning level for a public audience.
- Adapt his/her 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.
- Research and explain major historical, literary, and cultural forces that shaped the development of a play's specific style and/or period, as well the relationship of those forces to the acting techniques required.
Class Meetings
We will meet each week in-person from 2:30pm-4:50. (If one or more students have conflicts that require them to regularly be late to class, we may take a class vote to move our start time from 2:30 to 2:40 and end at 5:00, but only if everyone agrees.)
During each class meeting, we'll work in a variety of ways, as a group in the main session, in teams in breakout rooms, and sometimes in individual coaching sessions.
Instructor Contact - Reed
Instructor: Reed Martin
Instructor Email: rmartin@santarosa.edu
Zoom 13.1 Coaching Office Hours: TBA
If none of my office hour times work for you, contact me and we will set up a special appointment.
Instructor Contact - Laura
Instructor: Laura Downing-Lee
(Students are welcome to call me "Laura", "Ms. Downing-Lee", or "Ms. Lee"; use whichever you are most comfortable using. My preferred pronouns: She/Her/Hers)
Instructor Email: ldowning@santarosa.edu
Instructor Phone: (707) 527-4420
(Calls will go to Voice Mail; I receive an email notification of the voice mail and will return your call as soon as I can.)
Zoom 13.1 Coaching Office Hours: Mon. 5:00-5:30 (After March 1. By appointment only; email me for an office hour appointment and I'll send you the Zoom link.)
Office Hours: Currently by appt. only (Email me for an office hour appointment with your availability and I'll find a time that works with our schedules. Please specify whether you wish a Zoom or in-person appt.)
Course Web Site
Students will use the Canvas course web site for course communication and organization. We are still building the site so bear with us. However, the plan is to use Canvas for assignment instructions, submitting most assignments, viewing peer team work, sharing resources, and viewing grades.
Course Communication
Please make it a habit to check Canvas, the announcements section of your myCubby (via SRJC's Portal), and your personal email daily so you don't miss something important
Instructor to Class: We will both post general course announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas. In some cases, we may also send them using the SRJC Portal's email system (myCubby). Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. A “Q&A Forum” is also on Canvas to ask for assistance of your classmates or instructors.
Instructor to Individual Student(s): When sending individual messages to students, Reed will use Canvas in most cases. Laura may use Canvas, the Portal, or send an email from her JC email (ldowning@santarosa.edu) directly to your email address. Please check Canvas, your "myCubby", and your email daily so you don't miss an important class message.
Student to Instructor: You can send either/both of us a message via Canvas or email us directly at rmartin@santarosa.edu or ldowning@santarosa.edu. We do not release our cell phone numbers to students except in urgent situations, so you do not have the ability to text us. Laura can also receive phone messages if you call her SRJC number, 707-527-4420.
Textbook
There is no required textbook for this class. However, we will be posted reading assignments as PDFs on our Canvas site for the units.
Recommended Technology and Software
Your Main Device: All of our class meetings are in person. However, if you have to attend via Zoom (rare cases only), you will need to use a device with a camera and microphone (built-in or external). In addition, you'll often need to view a script or other document at the same time you are doing an exercise so, if your main device has a small screen, I recommend having access to a second device if you can (such as a tablet or smartphone). If you do not have access to a second device, don't worry. One solution: SRJC library has an inventory of laptops and tablets (as well as hotspots, if you have internet accessibility issues) available for student check-out. Visit that page on the SRJC Libraries website if you think you'll need to take advantage of this service.
Recommended-Access to Printer: In order to easily access course materials during the semester, I recommend that you have access to a printer. If you do not have a printer, don't worry. Please let us know on your course Questionnaire (posted on Canvas) so that we can make arrangements to get hard copies to you, in that situation.
Suggested-Access to Scanner: While this is not essential, having access to a scanner can make submitting assignments a bit easier. If you don't have one, don't worry. Photographing a document with your cellphone and sending the photos to me will work too.
Suggested Software and Apps: You might need the following software for this course at some point. If you don't have one, don't worry; these are just suggestions. If there are other software or apps that we find would be useful this semester for the class, I'll update this part of the syllabus and let you know. (Suggestions from students are also welcome!)
Important Dates
Day Class Begins: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Last Regular Class Meeting: Wednesday, May 18, 2022 (not including Showcase rehearsals)
FINAL: 1:00-3:45, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
College-Wide Dates for Full Semester Classes
Last Day to Add without instructor's approval: Jan. 25, 2022
Last Day to Drop a Semester-Length Class and be eligible for a refund: Jan. 30, 2022
Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: Feb. 6, 2022
Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: Feb. 6, 2022
Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: Apr. 24, 2022
Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass: Note: This class cannot be taken P/NP.
Dropping the Class
If you decide to discontinue this course (although we hope you won't!), it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%).
Attendance
Make it your goal to show up on time AND ready to work for every class meeting. Acting is a collaborative art form and your daily participation is crucial to your learning experience, as well as those of your fellow actors.
- Attendance in Uncertain Times: We are all facing stressful and uncertain conditions this year due to Covid-19, as well as our region's fires and other events. If you are unable to attend class temporarily due to situations like these, please contact me right away and I will accommodate your absence(s) as best I can. All I ask is that you only use this option when you really need it.
- Otherwise, three (3) absences will result in your course grade dropping one full grade; four (4) absences will result in you being dropped from the course. Three late/unprepared arrivals will equal one absence.
- With the exception of an excused absence, failure to attend any scheduled in-class rehearsal, coaching session, or performance may result in a grade drop of two letter grades (from an A to a C) for that assignment. An excused absence is supported by a written/signed document on letterhead with contact information from a doctor, court official, or other authority.
- Any anticipated absences for the semester (ACTF, team/class events, long commutes, or personal responsibilities) must be discussed with me within the first two weeks of the course. Unless it’s an emergency, please don’t schedule work, or make travel plans or personal appointments (counseling, doctor appt., etc.) during class time. This class is filled with partnered exercises and assignments; therefore, any absence can negatively impact the whole class.
Late Policy
Unless posted other, all assignments are due at the start of class on the due date. A late submission will receive a 10%-20% penalty, depending on the assignment. Submissions more than one week late are not accepted without prior arrangement. Late work will not be graded unless student sends instructor an email with URL for late work.
Performance Assignments
Over the course of the semester, you will complete the following performance assignments:
- Perform a full-prepared Clowning Gag
- A partnered scene from our unit on 20th Century Absurdism
- A partnered scene from the selected Period Style for Unit 3 (TBA)
Other Assignments
- Attend both both in-person SRJC productions this semester and participate in a class discussion of the production's style and acting. (You'll receive a free "ticket" for each show). If you are either in the cast or crew, you will still be able to complete this assignment.
- Complete written performance packets for each performance assignment (includes scoring, research, and analysis assignments designed to help your performance work).
- Complete assigned reading for each style unit, as well as the play from which your performance work is excerpted when appropriate.
- Maintain daily/weekly notes on class subject matter in your notebook (actor's journal).
Grading Policy
Since this is my first semester using Canvas, it may take me awhile to post grades and comments on the online Canvas grade book, so you may be receiving that information via email for awhile. If you have any questions about your grade in the class at any time, please contact me and we will discuss your progress.
Grades will be assigned as follows for THAR 13.1A/B:
90%-100% (450-500 pts.) = A; 80%-89% (400-449 pts.) = B; 70%-79% (350-399 pts.) = C; 60%-69% (300-349 pts.) = D
The Showcase
See THAR 13.1AL Canvas page for Showcase details.
Standards of Conduct
Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.
Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's policy on Academic Integrity
Other Important Policies and Practices
Avoid Plagiarism Like the, er, Plague: Although most students have likely heard about plagiarism during their years of schooling, it still is prevalent-even in higher education. The video below reviews what plagiarism is and how not to do it.
Netiquette, or Why Is It Harder to Be Polite Online?
Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications. Use these guidelines:
- Use capital letters sparingly. THEY LOOK LIKE SHOUTING.
- Forward emails only with a writer's permission.
- Be considerate of others' feelings and use language carefully.
- Cite all quotations, references, and sources (otherwise, it is plagiarism).
- Use humor carefully. It is hard to "read" tone; sometimes humor can be misread as criticism or personal attack. Feel free to use emoticons like :) for a smiley face to let others know you are being humorous.
- Use complete sentences and standard English grammar to compose posts. Write in proper paragraphs. Review work before submitting it.
- Text speak, such as "ur" for "your" or "ru" for "are you" etc., is only acceptable when texting.
Special Needs
Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278), as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
About this Syllabus Summary: As we continue to build the course on Canvas this semester, we will be making additions or adjustments to this page. You will be notified whenever that happens.