Course Descriptions

M.F.A. Acting Curriculum

TD 387J - WORLD THEATRE IN CONTEXT
This course will explore world theatre using a dramaturgical case study method. The purpose of the course is to enable actors to practice skills of historical, cultural, and theatrical research and of play analysis. The motivating questions are: What does an actor need to know or to be able to find out in order to create a most vibrant and rich performance? How can script analysis, dramaturgical research, and other forms of response complement expression, creativity, and technique to expand the actor's repertoire of performance skills?

TD 381F1 - ADVANCED ACTING
The purpose of this course is to fully explore the sources of dramatic action that reside in the self, in the acting partner, and in the circumstances. To that end, students will develop a philosophical framework for understanding dramatic action, engage in a particular kind of improvisation called a "jump," create a short scripted scene with an acting partner based on the jump, and transfer what they have learned to a scene from a play.

In addition, the purpose of this course is to develop an improvisational process consisting of a series of progressive exercises that invite the actor to take one small step at a time as he/she deepens his/her connection with his/her acting partner. We are coming to a deeper understanding of Stanislavski's method-particularly the element of "concentration" and how to use it to our best advantage.

TD 381F1 - CLASSICAL ACTING
This course is designed to give serious attention to the acting skills needed for the performance of Shakespeare and other verse dramatists. Students must build on the preceding acting courses that examine personal connective ness while utilizing the rules of scansion, phrasing, breath control, text analysis, action, objective and obstacles.

TD 381F2 - VOICE STUDIES I/II
Course designed to train student to be a voice coach/teacher. Part I focuses is on voice anatomy, muscularity of speech, vocal health connected to practical teaching techniques in a seminar setting. Part II continues with emphasis on teaching dialects, building voice programs, coaching professional actors, exploring theatre acoustics and amplified sound.

TD 481G1 - ACTING SHOWCASE
Students will research scenes and monologues to be used in the New York and Los Angeles showcases. All of the students' conservatory skills (voice, movement, acting, dramaturgy) will be evaluated during the course by a team of area professors.

TD 481G4 - ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
This course will prepare the student with the fundamentals of basic techniques required in acting for the camera. We will cover 1) defining "actor type," 2) basics of on-camera performance technique, 3) on-camera auditioning for both dramatic and commercial materials, 4) sight reading, and 5) specific techniques for helping the actor to bring a greater use of his/her personal resources to acting work. This is an advanced acting class, and it is hoped that meeting the challenges of acting for the camera will strengthen overall the actor's skills and technique, particularly in the areas of listening, reacting, and personalization. We will place particular attention on learning to work truthfully from our personal selves and off our acting partner. Students should leave the course prepared to tackle auditioning and performing for any camera-related acting project.

TD 481G3 - VOICE AND SPEECH
The voice component of 481-G occurs in four consecutive semesters. The first semester focuses primarily on the basics of speech and phonetics. Semester two deals with articulation as it is applied to various types of text. For semesters three and four, actors are taught a range of stage dialects and eventually research and perform their own dialect projects.

Additionally, the courses focus on practical work such as freeing the releasing the breath, breath capacity, placement, muscularity, support, pitch/range, resonance and rooting/grounding. Eventually, communication and language are introduced with emphasis on imagery and heightened speech.

TD 481G3 - MOVING TO A DEEPER PLACE: PHYSICALITY AND THE ACTOR
Description: Course brings actors to a deeper awareness of the physical side of acting; increases movement sensitivity, skills, and focus; and provides a wider range of choices in the development of character.

TD 481G3 - ADVANCED MOVEMENT /M.F.A.
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MOVEMENT AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONING
This course will provide the foundation for mind/body awareness that is the cornerstone of movement training for the graduate actor. This course introduces and refines movement exercises related to the work of Joseph Pilates, both the equipment evolved from his original designs and the floor work evolved from his classic "mat exercises". Additionally, the instructor applies movement principles and exercises from other related somatic practices like Polestar (Pilates-evolved work utilizing Feldenkrais principles), Bartenieff Fundamentals, free weight strength training, and neuro-muscular reeducation techniques, particularly the work of Swiegard and Todd. Basic experiential anatomy will be addressed to support the mind/body connection you will be developing. The eight basic principles of Pilates are an important focus of the semester study, as well as attention to movement re-education and re-patterning where necessary. Those eight principles are Relaxation, Concentration, Coordination, Alignment, Breathing, Flowing Movements, Centering, and Stamina. Related supplemental readings are an important part of the course material provided, and the required text an invaluable aid. Guided instruction and personal awareness are essential to the teaching/learning process. Students must demonstrate active participation and self-motivation in order to progress.