HS Theatre Arts at GSIS

Introductory Materials

Voice & Memory Work

Journal Assignment: 

Read the "Your Speaking Voice" text below and complete the related Google Doc Journal assignment outlined in the next file.  "Actor's Voice" should be read for further class discussion.

Method Acting

Summative Assessment

 Stanislavsky/Voice/Memory Essay Test

NOTE FOR 2013 STUDENTS: THE TEST BELOW WAS GIVEN IN 2011 TO A GROUP OF STUDENTS THEN.  IT IS NOT THE TEST YOU WILL HAVE, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME SIMILARITIES AND MAYBE EVEN ONE OR TWO IDENTICAL PARTS.  YOU MAY USE IT TO STUDY BUT REMEMBER, WE ARE NOT TAKING A TEST ON BREATHING OR MEMORIZATION AT THIS TIME.

Acting Assessment: Contentless Scenes

Contentless Scenes Rubric

Contentless Scenes Script

Monologues

Movie Monologues (To Watch in Class)

Miracle - http://youtu.be/tdmyoMe4iHM

Erin Brockovich - http://youtu.be/BGX4nMrnxg0

Rocky Balboa - http://youtu.be/la3qECG3dM8

Steel Magnolias - http://youtu.be/8EjNa8Ukg_0

Blade Runner - http://youtu.be/L1IzmGhyiM0

Jaws - http://youtu.be/u9S41Kplsbs

Other Great Movie Monologues

Women:

10 Things I Hate About You - http://youtu.be/qmac3896iXY

The Color Purple - http://youtu.be/rnSbUuCEvrQ

300 - http://youtu.be/X61QeEDxPcY

Spiderman 2 - http://youtu.be/02abAc3pRF4

Men: 

Saving Private Ryan - http://youtu.be/LvAIBDGIYE0

Braveheart - http://youtu.be/gr_OpFxCx-A

Remember the Titans - http://youtu.be/m950HE79RuU

Glory - http://youtu.be/-NYB67m1ccg

Journal Assignment: 

Choose one of the above monologues.  Identify the dominant emotion(s).  How are these portrayed?  Discuss the use of pauses.  Discuss the interaction of the character with their audience.  

Online Journal Assignment 

(FEB 28, 2013)
Reading Comprehension 

The Naked Voice: An Interview with Patsy Rodenburg
By Randy Gener
American Theatre Journal, January 2010

Directions: Read the article linked above.  While you are reading, copy, paste, and answer the following questions in your Google Doc Journal.  Each question deserves at least one complete sentence.

Patsy Rodenburg's "Three Circles of Concentration" are similar to Stanislavsky's "Circles of Attention".  One key difference is found in her focus on the voice.

1. Define First Circle according to the text

2. Define Third Circle according to the text

3. Define Second Circle according to the text

4. What does the author of this article refer to as "the bread-and-butter of the trained actor?"

5. How can anyone (non-professionals, businesspersons, etc) build their own presence?

6. Rodenburg believes we’re all born with this quality of presence, but it gets lost.  How and why?

7. What aspects of performance work that involve voice does she touch on in her five books?

8. Why does Rodenburg believe that actors during the Elizabethan era might not have needed a voice coach to build vocal athleticism, but that actors often do today?

9. What is a "naked voice" according to Rodenburg?

10. Why might Rodenburg say to an actor, “Lie on the floor”?

11. Rodenburg says she's a "pragmatist".  When does she says that the voice will work for you without training?

12. What is "it"? (As in he hasn't got "it".)

Monologue Reflective Response:

The Task

Write a reflective response answering three questions with at least one paragraph per question. Your responses should be submitted in your drama journal Google doc under the heading Monologue Reflection.  The questions are as follows:

1) Describe your progress as an actor so far. (Compare and contrast your skills and abilities now with 6 months ago.) Think about the areas of Voice & Breathing, Memorization Skills, Character Work (Method Acting). 

2) Identify your strengths & weaknesses as an actor.

3) What feedback (positive or negative critique) did you find most useful?

Improvisation 

A Mini-Unit

Improvisation Assignment from “The Stage and The School” Textbook

1) Read pages 7-18, the chapter on “Improvisation”.  

2) Define or discuss, using only the assigned reading in the book, the following terms or concepts in your Google Doc Journal:

     Improvisation, 

     Spontaneity, 

     "illusion of the first time", 

     "is" rather than "pretending to be", 

     "do nothing", 

     scene-stealing, 

     character-centered, 

     situation-centered, 

     "stay in character", 

     motivated sequence, 

     "play the character down"

3) Find and attempt three of the "exercises" described in the text on pages 10-17.  Write about your experience in your Google Doc Journal.

Musical Theatre Unit

Introductory Presentation: 

Video Resource:

The Story of Musicals (BBC) - Youtube Playlist

Fiddler on the Roof

Assessment Task 1: Dramaturgy 

Due By May 13

Download the questions for this task here and paste them into your Google Doc Journal.

Part 1- Finish watching "Fiddler on the Roof"  

The film has been uploaded onto You Tube and can be accessed through a link here:  

Fiddler on the Roof - Youtube Full Length Film

Part 2 - A Biography of Shalom Aleichem: 
Read the following.  
"Shalom Aleichem" By Daniel Septimus, MyJewishLearning.com

When you are finished answer the related questions on the Dramaturgy Worksheet.  

Part 3 - Life in the Shtetl:

Read the following.

"The Shtetl" by Temple Emanu-El of San Jose
Map of the Pale of Settlement and Other Images

Choose one of Ms. Helberg's stories from her index, Mr. Kornblau's memoir, or the excerpt from Ms. Antin.  

"Life in the Shtetl - Earlient Years" by Joseph Kornblau
"The Promised Land" by Mary Antin

When you are finished answer the related questions on the Dramaturgy Worksheet. 

Complete Musicals on You Tube:

Jesus Christ Superstar

Oliver!

Evita

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

My Fair Lady

Annie 

Scrooge

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Oklahoma

Writing a Theatre Review   

Below are some resources for you to draw from for writing a theatre review.  There really is no one way to write one, but you should select from these resources the format that you choose to use, or use the format we brainstormed in class.  

1) Each of you are responsible for writing a review of the production of a play in English at the High School, College, or Professional Level.  You should have viewed this production between Jan 1 and June 1, 2013.  "Into the Woods" and the spring comedy production are great options for this assignment.  For full credit submit your review in your Google doc journal and hand in your ticket stub, a program of the play, or a signed note from someone who accompanied you to the production verifying your attendance. Due By May 22

2) You will be asked to write a review of one of the above musicals on You Tube as part of your Musical Theatre final exam.  You may take notes on the film and bring those notes with you to the exam. Due By May 16

Les Miserables

Musical Theatre Performance Experience

Spring Comedy Performance

History Class (Jerry Seinfeld)

Useful Links:

A YouTube clip of "One Day More".  The portions you are singing begin at 2:21 and again at 3:10

A link to the YouTube clip of the "Do You Hear the People Sing/Finale".  The portion you are singing begins at 7:25. 

The Polish "One More Day" flash mob we watched in class.

The entire "Les Miserables" 10th Anniversary Performance done in concert style in October of 1995 at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Final Reflection  Due By May 22

1. Besides by acting, in what ways have you contributed to your group’s scene work or the play as a whole?

2. Identify some things that seem similar between you (or someone you know) and the character you play.

3. How did your work as an actor help the audience understand the message or comedy of the play?

4. Describe what you have learned are your strengths as an actor.  

5. Describe what you have learned are areas you can still improve on.