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Catalog Description Formerly known as DRMA 11 Hours: 72 (36 lecture, 36 activity) Description: This course takes a deep dive into the analysis and practice of movement styles to enhance acting technique applied on stage. Students will learn basic movement, control, relaxation, and interpretation of character through physical exploration and scene study. (CSU, UC) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Analyze and implement the basic elements of expression and communication, such as facial expressions, body language, gestures, and breathing, through the use of the body. CSLO #2: Apply relaxation techniques and exercises such as, but not limited to, stretching, Alexander technique, Meyerhold, adapted yoga, visualization, and personal body awareness to better focus and concentrate when creating and performing a character for the stage. CSLO #3: Create a "physical" character, including the analysis of the character, the given physical requirements of the character, the style, and the period. Effective Term Fall 2026 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 72 Outside of Class Hours 90 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives Lecture Objectives: 1. Discuss and Analyze the basic elements of expression and communication, such as facial expressions, body language, hand gestures, and breathing, through the use of the body. 2. Identify and discuss movement and rhythm patterns including, but not limited to, basic dance steps, physical comedy techniques such as prat falls, basic stunts, and stage combat. Activity Objectives: 3. Create a "physical" character, including the analysis of the character, the given physical requirements of the character, the style, and the period. 4. Use the body and the face as tools to create mood and emotion for a character on stage using, but not limited to, sense memory, visualization, internalization, imagination, and conventions. 5. Apply relaxation techniques and exercises such as, but not limited to, stretching, Alexander technique, Meyerhold, adapted yoga, visualization, and personal body awareness to better focus and concentrate when creating and performing a character for the stage.   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 Problem Solving Examinations Example: Student will select five relaxation exercises and create a daily routine using them while identifying challenges and ways to overcome those challenges. Student will be assessed by a self-evaluation kept in a journal through the semester. Projects Example: Explore and demonstrate physical traits of characters at various ages. Students will perform three examples and be assessed via a scoring rubric. Skill Demonstrations Example: Complete a performance that demonstrates understanding of the basic terms and maneuvers of self-created dance steps. Students are evaluated based upon their understanding and use of balance and rhythm within the movements. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Activity Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Activity: The instructor will hand out a packet describing ways in which the actor explores posture, gestures, movement and characteristics to create characters from different time periods with various age demographics. The instructor will demonstrate matching one time period with an age demographic and character traits such as, "An English Victorian, upper class grumpy person in their 60's." Students will review the packet for ways to incorporate posture, gestures, and movement applying age demographic, time period, and character traits to create movement on the stage while improvising dialogue with other students and their created characters. The end of the activity may culminate in two students doing an improvised scene between the Victorian, upper class grumpy person in their 60's and a 9-year-old unhoused orphan living in the American south in the 1930's.   Lecture: Instructor will demonstrate the correct way to fall on stage. Students will be asked to discuss perceptions of what makes a stage fall believable versus non-believable as well as safety measures. Distance Learning After students have watched an assigned video of Charlie Chaplin's THE KID, instructor will provide an overview of the elements of physical comedy in the silent film era vs. the modern era, and then lead a classroom discussion on how students perceived character portrayals in this style in contrast to physical comedies students have seen in the modern era. Instructor will clarify questions posed by students. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. Students will read a scene Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Tenor and be required first to create movement for their assigned character with dialogue. Then they will be required to perform the same scene without voice and only through movement. Class will discuss differences, challenges, and ways they addressed challenges. 2. Read the chapter from Edwin C. White and Marguerite Battye's ACTING AND STAGE MOVEMENT and be ready to discuss and practice what was learned about sitting, standing, walking, head movement, and using gestures with intention on stage. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. See two plays and write a formal critique for each focused on character movements and style. 2. Write a paragraph on the creation of a character that expresses their personalities through the use of the body. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) 1. Watch and recreate five movement steps. 2. Practice and be able to demonstrate the correct way to fall on stage. 3. Practice and be able to demonstrate how to throw a punch and a slap for the stage. 4. Study the physicalities present in animals and people of varying ages, and be able to recreate them. 5. Learn to relax the body and mentally focus through condensed control exercises. Required Materials Stage Movement Author: Tracy Lybbert Publisher: Independently Published Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: No OER Link: OER: The Alexander Technique Manual Author: Richard Brennan Publisher: Eddison Books Publication Date: 2018 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: No OER Link: OER: Essential Stage Movement: Psycho-Physical Training for Actors Author: Edward Rozinsky Publisher: Physical Theater Publishers Publication Date: 2010 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: No OER Link: OER: Stage Movement: Student Work Book Author: Tracy Brooke Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform Publication Date: 2013 Text Edition: Vol. 19 Classic Textbook?: No OER Link: OER: Acting and Stage Movement Author: Edwin C. White and Marguerite Battye Publisher: Hassell Street Press Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: 1 Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

The Theatre Arts Department offers training, both theoretical and practical, in theatrical production, including performance, technical and business management aspects, as well as the serious study of the development of those aspects from the early Greeks up to the bright lights of Broadway. We believe that the creativity, the personal interaction and the excitement of participating in a performance are highly valuable experiences for any individual. The heightened awareness of beauty and truth are carried on into the later life of the student to perhaps enable him or her to appreciate more fully what is available.