Movement 1 Syllabus

THEA 2300  –  MOVEMENT FOR THE STAGE

Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:50, 11:00-12:20/UNG Rehearsal Hall/Fall 2013

Instructor:                  Elisa Carlson  
Office:                         CE/PA 103
Phone:                         678-717-3579
Email:                         elisa.carlson@ung.edu
Office Hours:             Tu/Thur by Appointment
                          
A.         COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OUTCOMES:

This course is an introduction to movement techniques for the actor.  Focus will be on exploring a wide range of fundamental processes to provide the student with a freer, more expressive and dynamic physical life on stage. This is not a dance class or circus class, but rather an exploration of the actor’s physical instrument in order to free artistic expression and begin to build complex characters.

 

            REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENT:

No text books are required for this class.  I will provide hand-outs and make recommendations for further reading.  Here are three books that will particularly inspire me in our work together: The Art of Stillness: The Theatre Practice of Tadashi Suzuki by Paul Allain, To the Actor by Michael Chekhov and Movement for Actors by Nicole Potter.

Please arrive on time, properly dressed in clothing that allows for freedom of movement (no jeans, or any pants or sweats that drag the floor).  We will often work in bare feet or socks, or any kind of soft-soled, flexible shoe (individually approved by me).  No street/dress shoes, boots, sandals or flip-flops.  Please remove jewelry and pull your hair away from your face.  I may ask you to bring in heels, skirts or suit jackets for character work during the semester.  I will post handouts and comments about our class work on this blog:  http://gtavoicemovementclassesblog.blogspot.com/

Please inform me of any physical concerns and restrictions you may have so that I may adapt exercises for your safety throughout the semester.  You should expect to be on your feet for the entire class period, working closely with classmates and your instructor.  If you are uncomfortable with the traditional hands-on approach of a movement instructor, please let me know.  I may use my hands to guide your alignment and check your ribcage for breath release from time to time. 

B.        GRADE SCALE

100-90             A                    

80 – 89            B
70 – 79            C
60 – 69            D
00 – 59            F

C.        EVALUATION PROCEDURE (subject to change)

            Classroom Participation and Progress in Exercises:          50%

            Centering Demonstration:                                                    25%
            Suzuki Demonstration:                                                         25%

D.        EVALUATION POLICY

Full classroom participation leading to significant individual progress is your main assignment for grading in this class. Everyone will come into class at a different point in their growth as actors.  Class is not competitive, and students are expected to accept and support each other’s personal artistic journey.  That being said, I’ll know when you aren’t giving 100% of your energy and focus to our time together. 

E.        ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance Policy:  Attendance and participation is mandatory.  All students will be

accounted for on a daily basis via a role.  Each missed class after two unexcused absences will result in the lowering of the final grade by one letter grade for each missed class.  Two tardies will equal one unexcused absence. If you miss class, or are late, you will fall behind immediately.  It is up to you to contact your classmates and cover any missed material.

Excused Absences: It is best to let your instructor know ahead of time if you will be absent.  If this is not possible, be prepared to present verifiable documentation to back up your claim.

(Examples) Medical Emergency (Doctors Note)
Automotive Mishap (Report or Citation)

F.         NOTE: Changes may be made to this syllabus and daily schedule during the

semester with prior notice to the student.

In addition, all Brenau, UNG and GTA policies apply to this class, where appropriate. Please see your student handbooks and college websites for more information on policies regarding inclement weather, students with disabilities, academic dishonesty, email, smoking, plagiarism, copyright, course withdrawal, administrative office hours, and campus telephone numbers.

http://ung.edu/academic-affairs/policies-and-guidelines/supplemental-syllabus.php

WEEK ONE 8/20-8/22

Tues:  Warm-ups and Introductions

Thurs: Work with Guest Artist Derrick Ledbetter:  Lecoq

WEEK TWO 8/27-8/29

Tues:   Work with Guest Artist Derrick Ledbetter:  Lecoq

Thurs:  Work with Guest Artist Derrick Ledbetter:  Lecoq

         
WEEK THREE 9/3-9/5

Tues:    Alignment, Breath, Centering and Freeing Work, Balances, Ancient Movement

Thurs:  Alignment, Breath, Centering and Freeing Work, Balances, Ancient Movement

WEEK FOUR 9/10-9/12

Tues:    Alignment, Breath, Centering and Freeing Work, Balances, Ancient Movement

Thurs:  Alignment, Breath, Centering and Freeing Work, Balances, Ancient Movement

WEEK FIVE 9/17-9/19

Tues:    Understanding the Space:  Ed Cabell Theatre

             Space, Centering and Characterization

 Thurs:  Understanding the Space: Hosch Proscenium Theatre (Brenau campus)

            Space, Centering and Characterization

WEEK SIX 9/24-9/26

Tues:    Alignment, Breath, Space, Centering and Freeing Work, Balances, Chekhov Technique

Thurs:  Alignment, Breath, Space, Centering and Freeing Work, Balances, Chekhov Technique

WEEK SEVEN 10/1-10/3

Tues:    Space, Centering and Characterization

             Character Assignment Made

Thurs:  Space, Centering and Characterization

            (students involved with Alice In Wonderland excused)

WEEK EIGHT 10/8-10/10

Tues:    Space, Centering and Characterization

Thurs:  Space, Centering and Characterization

           (students involved in Alice In Wonderland excused)

WEEK NINE 10/15-10/17

Tues:    Space, Centering and Characterization

Thurs:  Brenau Fall Break (no class)

WEEK TEN 10/22-10/24

Tues:    Characterization Pieces Presented for grading

Thurs:  Suzuki Introduction

WEEK ELEVEN 10/29-10/31

Tues:    Suzuki Work

Thurs:  Suzuki Work: Trojan Women Scene Assigned

WEEK TWELVE 11/5-11/7

Tues:    Suzuki Work

 
Thurs:  Suzuki Work

Note:  Instructor will be speaking in Ann Demling’s Intro to Theatre class at 9:30 on the 7^th, so there will be no 9:30 movement section.  Students in the 9:30 section are invited to join the 11:00 session on the 7^th.

WEEK THIRTEEN 11/12-11/14

Tues:    Suzuki Work

Thurs:  Suzuki Work

WEEK FOURTEEN 11/19-11/21

Tues:    Last Day of Class: Suzuki Scene and Oberservation

Thurs:  No Class: Elisa in Freshman Conferences

WEEK FIFTEEN 11/26-11/28
Thanksgiving Break

WEEK SIXTEEN  12/3-12/5

Brenau Finals Week TBA.  

If we are able to complete our work by 11/19 we will not use our final exam time.  If we have fallen behind for any reason, we may use the time.

NOTE:  If you need to make up class time, you may attend the other movement class section.  For instance, if you’ve missed your 9:30 movement class you may attend the 11:00 class, and vice-versa, at any time during the semester.