Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - CA 251 D100

Acting IV: Text as Action (3)

Class Number: 6335

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    CA (or FPA) 250 and 254. Corequisite: CA (or FPA) 255.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The fourth Performance acting course. Work focuses on various forms of action developed through an expanded notion of text. Students with credit for FPA 251 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Twenty years ago, Darren O’Donnell, the Artistic Director of Toronto’s Mammalian Diving Reflex, published Social Acupuncture, an influential text documenting his transition from actor and playwright to multifaceted organizer, urban thinker and facilitator of unique and socially engaged performance events. CA 251 will use Social Acupuncture as a syllabus of sorts to explore the spaces between traditional performance and “small p” political actions.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • To explore and embody the spaces between traditional theatre, community practice and political actions.
  • To explore and expand traditional notions of performance training.
  • To write and perform a text of personal importance.
  • To introduce and interrogate concepts of participatory practice.
  • To develop an event that operates with a public and/or in a public space.
  • To meet the student in articulating and achieving their objectives as students and performance practitioners. 

Grading

  • Journal 10%
  • Group presentation and exercise derived from a reading cited in Social Acupuncture. 15%
  • Performance monolog from O'Donnell's play A Suicide Site Guide to the City or similar source. 15%
  • A revised journal entry shaped into a performance text. 15%
  • General participation. Includes full completion of assignments and exercises, attitude, thoughtful participation in discussions, concentration, attendance, playfulness, risk, generosity, leadership, collaborative spirit, etc. Punctuality is key here. Don’t be late. It will be noted. 20%
  • Performance Proposal for an event that operates with a public and/or in a public space. 25%

NOTES:

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

We enter this space as collaborators. Each participant is responsible for the production and maintenance of its trajectory. This requires full attendance and participation in scheduled classes and presentations.
  • Students arrive on time for scheduled classes and any group work outside of class. Absences or lateness will adversely affect the final grade. We will always start on the agreed upon time. Notify the instructor in advance of all absences. 5 minutes of unnotified lateness equals 1 full absence. 5% of the final grade is reduced for every absence.
  • Assignments are prepared and completed on time (i.e. readings completed in full, materials prepared for presentations, etc).
  • Everyone participates in group discussions and presentations. We hold each other accountable in the studio and to appropriate behaviour.
  • Individual research and group studio practice outside of the scheduled class times will be required.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

  • Social Acupuncture: A Guide to Suicide, Performance and Utopia by Darren O’Donnell. Paperback edition available from SFU bookstore. Please get the physical book, not an electronic version.
  • Bring a book to write in. Ideally one with removable pages.
  • Access to digital recording devices (broadly considered).
  • Appropriate studio clothing – we will be moving in class.

REQUIRED READING:

Social Acupuncture: A Guide to Suicide, Performance and Utopia by Darren O’Donnell.
ISBN: 978-I-55245-170-0

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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