Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Completion of THEA 23B with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 120 activity
Description: The third of four courses that provides an opportunity for students to perform in their third role in a Sierra college production as a member of the cast. Students apply increasingly advanced rehearsal and performance techniques and style to complex and in-depth characters. All actors are required to audition for roles. Acceptance into the class is determined on being cast in the production. (C-ID THTR 191) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Demonstrate the ability to remain in the moment through active listening.
  • CSLO #2: Demonstrate the ability to rehearse and perform the requisite style of the selected theatrical piece.
  • CSLO #3: Demonstrate the ability to perform effective beats having charted the emotional journey of character throughout the entire play or musical.

Effective Term

Fall 2026

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

120

Outside of Class Hours

60

Total Student Learning Hours

180

Course Objectives

1. Demonstrate ability to effectively build a character of great depth and complexity in a selected theatrical work.
2. Demonstrate ability to apply stylized acting techniques under the pressure of performance conditions.
3. Demonstrate appropriate period posture, gestures and positioning utilizing stage movement technique to support stylistic characterization. 
5. Demonstrate increasingly sophisticated acting techniques for character analysis and development.
6. Clearly demonstrate a layered depth of acting choices by combining technique and character development following a thorough examination of the text.
 

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable
          • UC Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: After watching video examples of both classical and modern versions of HAMLET during a table discussion rehearsal, students will discuss the differences in acting styles and how they can apply their own creative acting choices to their characters based on the director's concept that was shared to them previously
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: After having reviewed and discussed the style of performing a modern Farce, students will demonstrate physical comedy techniques during rehearsals and continue to hone their physical timing through performances.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Activity
          • Distance Learning

          Activity:

          1. The instructor will lead a discussion about the approach to prat falls in a stylistic Commedia d'elle 'Arte play. Instructor will then demonstrate how to safely fall on stage in character and students will practice prat falls in their character.
          2. The instructor will lead students in an improvised exercise to explore movement qualities for caricature types of Commedia de'll arte that apply to the production of "A Servant to Two Masters."

          Distance Learning

          1. Instructor will post on the LMS approaches to acting Shakespeare that help with phrasing techniques as well as word origins from ROMEO AND JULIET. Students will be expected to read and study these documents along with posted video samples to help them apply techniques of acting Shakespeare during online rehearsals

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Students will read original Grimm fairy tales from which the musical "Into the Woods" was adapted to discuss character back story and apply in rehearsals of "Into the Woods." 2. Students will read the entire play and identify clues to their character as well as relationships to all other characters including scenes in which they do and do not appear.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Students will submit a paper identifying expected and possibly unexpected acting challenges for the performance of the play and list ways they will approach working to solve these challenges. 2. Students will apply theoretical knowledge of acting technique in a practical performance environment. For example, if the production is using a southern dialect, students will need to ensure diction is still intact and that all words are still understood.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Required Materials

          • Red
            • Author: John Logan
            • Publisher: Oberon Books Ltd
            • Publication Date: 2009
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?: No
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Time Stands Still
            • Author: Donald Margulies
            • Publisher: Theater Communications Group, Inc.
            • Publication Date: 2010
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?: No
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Rehearsing in the Zone: A Practical Guide to Rehearsing without a Director
            • Author: Maria Cominis Glaudini
            • Publisher: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company
            • Publication Date: 2014
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?: No
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Mastering Shakespeare: An Acting Class in Seven Scenes
            • Author: Scott Kaiser
            • Publisher: Muse of Fire Books
            • Publication Date: 2022
            • Text Edition: 2nd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.