Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - CA 152 D100

Acting I: Thinking as an Artist (3)

Class Number: 7293

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Tue, Thu, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Location: TBA

  • Instructor:

    Erika Latta
    elatta@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Wednesday (by appointment only). Please email to set up an appointment in advance.

  • Prerequisites:

    By audition.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The first of six Performance acting courses. The actor is trained as an individual artist within a collaborative ensemble, and within society. Emphasis is placed upon physical experience and imagination as sources for interpretation and original creation.

COURSE DETAILS:

CA152_Acting 1: Thinking as an Artist (BODY LAB)  prepares the performer to be a versatile creative thinker able to create original material for the stage and film. The training combines techniques for building ensembles, the vocabulary of composition, improvisation, the language of cinema, exploration of emotion, desire, dance, clown and working in contrast or in concert with music. The course will cover the elements of Viewpoints, Suzuki Method of Acting, Immersive techniques, visual art and dance - tempo, duration, kinesthetic response, repetition, shape, gesture, architecture, spatial relationship, topography - and apply these to composition as it relates to a text or theme. Throughout the course, we will incorporate improvisations culled from students’ own writing, selected classical and contemporary texts in order to strengthen the performer's presence as well as create original material for the stage. The aim of the class is for a performer to find their unique voice, train to listen and to speak with their entire body, ultimately giving a performance that is intelligent, precise and visceral. Students will engage in daily warm ups, training, improvisations and group and solo compositions.

Using the core vocabulary of the course we will be using the theme of Memory to generate movement and experiment to ask: “How does the sequencing of physical action affect our perception of an event? What is the effect of telling a story backwards, forward or in jump cuts? How does an event in space engage or disengage our experience of time?” The class aims to examine the performer’s relationship to the theatrical event from the perspective of the viewpoints of space and time. BODY LAB will focus on the composition of the body and voice within a given architecture, site, stage, theme or text by focusing on the perspective of the performer’s  to generate text and score original work.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • attain economy of movement, kinesthetic awareness, group listening, strength, flexibility and
  • discuss, analyze, and apply the composition tools: their use and application as part of performer training and for composition to specific text or themes. 
freeing the physical instrument. 

  • be able to use physicality on stage and be aware of the body in space and time, training the body to be aware, ready and listening.
  • utilize a greater theatrical presence through listening skills and a heightened body awareness.
  • perform various warm-up exercises, stretches, and ensemble training.
  • knowledge of how to use the body as a tool for creative expression, corporeal confidence and physical openness. 

  • attain a greater understanding of ensemble work, what it means to be a part of an ensemble and the discipline it takes to create a role and construct original material. 

  • to self-direct, to be able to give ideas and generate material for a director within an ensemble. 

  • experience gained in constructing and writing original material. 

  • experience in building a character through the use of the training and through text analysis and research. 
  • understand the value, discipline and focus it takes to be a performer and create new innovative work. 


Grading

  • Participation, attitude, work ethic, attendance and knowledge of vocabulary / training 40%
  • Improvisations, Scene Work / Character Development / Writing / Composition Assignments 25%
  • Visiting Artist attendance and participation 5%
  • End of Class Presentation (open working session) and Source Work Research (Website) 30%

NOTES:

Memorization:
Each student will memorize their own written monologue, as well as classic and contemporary text for the purpose of the training as well as text created for in class composition / scenes.
_Memorization of training text and songs
_Written monologue based on the given theme of the class and parameters given by the instructor at the beginning of the course.
_Memorize material for class compositions and final scenes.

Solo Performance:
Each student will create, develop and write a monologue to be worked on and performed in class.

Scene Work / Composition:
Students will collaborate, compose and memorize material inspired by the theme or source material, from a contemporary play and a written scene either by the student or in collaboration. These short scenes will be developed in class in a variety of exercises, culminating in an open work session. Please be prepared to rehearse outside the class with your colleagues.
Source Work / Research:
The course will make use of a website where each student will upload images, ideas, notes, research, sets, characters, drawings, sketches, text fragments, and visual inspiration during the semester. The website will act as a living catalogue of the source material and research developed in class. The purpose of this platform is to create lateral thinking, keep an open dialogue in relation to the source material and with the process of creating work, the ideas generated and to mark the journey of the class.

Final Presentation:
Students will informally present material developed in class including scenes, training, movement sequences, and or solo work for an invited audience at the end of the semester, guided by the instructor.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.