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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHR-214 1 Bergen Community College Division of Humanities Department of Visual & Performing Arts Course Syllabus Audition Techniques THR 214 Basic Information About Course and Instructor: Semester and year: Section Number: Meeting Times: Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Departmental Secretary: [optional] Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description: Audition Techniques is a practical course which helps the students investigate, select, and prepare audition material appropriate to the individual and the audition call. The course includes exercises and handling “cold” readings and in learning to look at auditions from the casting director’s point of view. 2 lectures, 2 credits Prerequisite: THR 110 Basic Acting Techniques Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to: ● List Student Learning Outcomes and an appropriate assessment for each: Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment: 1. Demonstrate auditioning for roles in professional, community, and educational theatre In-class presentations, written assignments, reading assignments, peer evaluations. 2. Apply acting techniques to become more adept at auditioning In-class presentations, written assignments, reading assignments, peer evaluations. 2 3. Understanding the business aspects of the theatre profession Research and written assignments, examination. 4. Analyze and evaluate the technological resources available to aid with finding auditions, promoting oneself, and acquiring an agent In-class presentations, written assignments, reading assignments, peer evaluations. 5. Demonstrate cold reading skills In-class presentations, partnering ability. Examination. 6. Demonstrate three prepared audition pieces (monologues) In-class presentations, written assignments, reading assignments, peer evaluations. Examination. 7. Evaluate and compare photographers to take headshots and be able to select the type of pictures needed for a career in the theatre and create a professional looking resume. In-class presentations, written assignments, reading assignments, peer evaluations. Examination. 8. Understand and apply the requirements of a musical theatre audition In-class presentations, written assignments, reading assignments, peer evaluations. Course Content: Audition Techniques is a practical workshop that should enable students to audition successfully in the professional and non-union theatre. Students will learn about both the artistic and business aspects of auditioning. Cold reading skills will be developed and the students will prepare and present three audition pieces (monologues)/. How to audition for musical theatre will be explored. Students will create an acting resume and be guided in selecting a photographer to take their headshots. They will learn about the business aspects of theatre and many technological resources available to them for promoting their works. Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials: Required: “Audition”, by Michael Shurtleff, Bantam Books, 1986 Any Collection of Theatre Monologues: Theatre monologues from plays or even cut from a novel or short story are acceptable. Solo pieces not within a play or piece of literature are not recommended. Monologues, which are found on the Internet that are not from a play and/or which are from a film, are also not recommended. Suggested Monologue Collections in the BCC Bookstore: 3 “100 Monologues – An Audition Sourcebook from New Dramatists”, edited by Laura Harrington, New American Library, division of Penguin Putnam, Inc. New York, N.Y. 1989 (or the latest edition) The Actor’s Book of Contemporary Stage Monologues, edited by Nina Shengold, Penguin Books, 1987 Soliloquy, the Shakespeare Monologues, one for men and one for women, edited by Michael Earley and Philippa Keil, Applause Books, 1988 Research, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s): List/describe/comment on course research/writing/presentation/examination requirements. State departmental policies on research, writing, presentation, and/or examination assignments [optional]. Include policy statements on student group work (if relevant). Grading Policy: Attendance, preparation, and active participation 10% Three monologues (15% each; includes rehearsals in class)* 45% Midterm and final presentations (each worth 10%) 20% Cold readings & class exercises 15% A typed theatrical resume 10% 100% *Extra Credit: A fourth monologue, fully memorized and performance ready, will merit an extra 5% or ½ of a letter grade. Criteria for Evaluation: Attendance, preparation, and active participation: a. Consistent attendance. b. Preparation of three memorized monologues c. Completed assignments d. Overall demonstration of comprehension of the course material e. Active participation in class exercises, improvisations, and in discussions evaluating the work presented. The presentation of three audition pieces (monologues) is a major requirement of this course. Monologues are graded on a class-by-class basis. Rehearsing them in class is part of the overall grade. Also, no monologue receives a grade in the midterm or final if it is not memorized. Memorizing a fourth monologue is encouraged and strongly recommended, but not required. This will receive extra credit amounting to a half of a letter grade, but only if the monologue is completely memorized and performance ready. 4 Midterm and Final Presentations: Two memorized and rehearsed monologues are presented back to back as if at a real audition situation. The student will state their name and the plays from which the monologues have been cut and then perform the pieces. The final presentation combines the third monologue with either the first or second piece. If the student has learned a fourth monologue, this may also Three Monologues: be combined with the third. Cold Readings and Class Exercises: Three levels of cold readings will be practice in class: the first will consist of readings from contemporary plays in which students will have the opportunity to read with a partner in advance; the second level will consist of readings from classical plays without the benefit of preparing with a partner; finally, the third will consist of readings from musical scripts, also without previous rehearsal with a partner. In addition to cold readings, students will participate in exercises and improvisations relating to auditioning. A Typed Theatrical Resume: Each student will submit a typed, professionally formatted acting resume. If some of the students have very few or no credits, they will create a resume lising any theatre related training of special skills. 90-100 = A 86-89 = B+ 80-85 = B 76-79 = C+ 70-75 = C 65-69 = D 0- 64 = F W = Official Withdrawal INC = Incomplete Students will be permitted to perform their midterm and final presentations late, if they are either absent of not prepared the day of the presentation. However, one letter grade will be deducted from the grade of the presentation. Monologues, which are not memorized, are not eligible for a grade. Frequent call of lines during these presentations also lowers the grade. Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Because the course grade depands heavily upon class participation, missing more that 2 classes will drop the grade. 3 classes missed equials a B to a B+ depending upon participation, 4 classe – a C to a C+; 5 classes – a De, and more than five classes a failure in the course. Students will be evaluated on attendance and participation in class using the following criteria: consistent attendance; evidence of studying test and assignments; completed daily assignments; quality classroom responses. If a student is not prepared with the assignment for the day, they will not receive credit for it for that particular class. Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements: • Bergen Community College is committed to academic integrity – the honest, fair and continuing pursuit of knowledge, free from fraud or deception. Please review the college catalogue or student handbook for further information on this topic. • Bergen Community College has adopted an internal grievance procedure to provide for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by federal regulation implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans 5 with Disabilities Act of 1990. (ADA). Please review the college catalogue for further information on this topic. • Bergen Community College is committed to providing its students and employees with an academic and work environment free from sexual harassment or discrimination. Please review the policy prohibiting sexual harassment in the college catalog. • Please review the statement on acceptable use of BCC technology in the college catalog. • Faculty hold 3 office hours per week, and as requested by students, by appointment. Students are encouraged to seek out their faculty member for academic needs. • All students are encouraged to visit and use the BCC Library. There are particularly excellent electronic references in the area of music available to our students. • Students are encouraged to use the student support services of the college. These services include: the Writing Center, the music-computer Lab, the Tutorial Center, and the Office of Specialized Services. The Distance Learning Office – for any problems you may have accessing your online courses Room C-334 201-612-5581 psimms@bergen.edu The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908 The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908 The Online Writing Lab (OWL) On Line at: www.bergen.edu/owl The Office of Specialized Services (for Students with Disabilities) Room S-131 201-612-5270 The Sidney Silverman Library – Reference Desk Room L-226 201-447-7436 Student and Faculty Support Services: [optional but recommended] Accessibility Statement Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class, complete course requirements, or benefit from the College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) as soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works with students confidentially and does not disclose any disability-related information without 6 their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse on disability issues and works in partnership with faculty and all other student service offices. Student Support Services Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support services including advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online at https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/. • Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: Guides B Subject - https://bergen.libguides.com/index.php General Search and Databases: https://bergen.edu/library/ Include a Course Outline and Calendar: Week: Topic/Activity: Learning Outcomes: Assignments/Events: 1 Introduction to the Course • Discussion of the various auditions settings and how to approach them • The requirements, time limits and different types of monologues • Students introduce themselves as if they are at the interview 1,2 Read pgs. 1-31 and 187- 192 in text Select a monologue to read and time for the next class 2 The Elements of Scripts Analysis & First Read- Through of Monologue # 1 • Discuss pgs. 1-31 and 187-192 • Read-through, assess, and time the first monologue 1,2,3 Read pgs. 143-186 and 193-194 Memorize monologue #1 3 Breaking Down a Script into Beatsand Shaping an Audition Piece • Discuss pgs. 143-186 and 1,2,3 Rehearse monologue for performance 7 193-194 in the text • Work monologue #1 off book. 4 The Business of Show Business • Discuss how to write a theatrical resume • selecting a good photographer The different types of headshots • Audition resources: Backstage, the Ross Report, Actors Access, and the Internet • The role of agents, managers, and how to be signed by one. Knowing how to recognize a legitimate agency and how to avoid being scammed • The use Internet as a way to promote yourself, etc. • Begin presentation of Monologue #1 1,2,3,4,6,7 Read pgs. 77-105 5 Completion of the Presentation of Monologue #1 Cold Reading Techniques • Complete presentation of monologue #1 • Discuss pgs. 77-105 • Cold Reading Techniques: cold readings of scenes from contemporary plays with a brief rehearsal with a partner prior to the reading 1,2,3,5,6 Bring in monologue #2, preferably a classical piece Read pgs. 105-142 6 How to Approach a Classical Piece, Especially Shakespeare • Discuss how to approach a classical piece and pgs. 105- 142 • Work monologue #2 1,2,3,6 Memorize monologue #2 Rough draft of resume is due. 7 Present monologue #2 and hand in rough draft of resume 1,2,3,5,6,7 Prepare for mid-term presentation 8 MID-TERM PRESENTATION: first two monologues back to back 1,2,3,6 Bring in monologue #3 9 Read-through and begin to work monologue #3 Classical cold readings 1,2,3,5,6 Read pgs. 195-199 and 207-213 8 • Shakespeare warm-up exercises • Begin classical cold readings, this time without a prior rehearsal with a partner • Read-through and work monologue #3 Memorize monologue #3 10 Presentation of Monologue #3 • Discuss pgs. 195-199 and 207-213 • Present monologue #3 • Complete classical cold readings 1,2,3,5,6 Read pgs. 217-254 11 Complete presentation of monologue #3 • Discuss pgs. 217-254 • Complete presentation of monologue #3 1,2,3,6 Bring in optional monologue #4 or prepare for final presentation. Schedule a “fictional”week of auditions using the Internet and Backstage Magazine 12 Strategies for Career Success • Discuss the audition assignment • Mapping out your career • Work optional monologue #4 or rehearse for final presentation 1,2,3,4,6 Prepare a ballad and/or and up-tempo song, either a full song or 16 measures of a song (if the student sings). Bring recorded accompaniment, if desired. Also, bring jazz or ballet shoes (if the student has them) Final draft of resume is Due Read pgs. 201-206 13 Musical Comedy Workshop • Discuss what happens at a musical comedy audition • Learn a brief dance combination and present it • If singing, perform the songs, announcing them as you would an audition piece • Cold readings of scene from musical theatre • Final draft of resumes due 1,2,3,5,7,8 Bring in photos with resume attached Select which monologues will be done in the final presentation and rehearse them back to back 14 Rehearsal for the Final Presentation • Include “mock” interviews as part of the rehearsal with a completed picture and resume 1,2,3,6,7 Prepare for the final presentation 15 FINAL PRESENTATION: 1,2,3,6 9 monologue #3 with either one of the first two monologues or with a fourth one Possible Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class.