Academic Catalogs

THEA A207: Acting 4

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/08/2021
Top Code 100700 - Dramatic Arts
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 45; Lab Hours 27)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

Advanced acting techniques with particular emphasis on stage diction. Units of study include phonetics, voice projection, vocal quality, dialects, and the application of vocal techniques to dramatic literature. Required of theatre arts majors. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Analyze a play script in terms of character and in terms of vocal and performance style.
  2. Rehearse and perform scenes and monologues of several genres, periods and styles.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Analyze acceptable theatre speech showing improvement in the following areas: breath control, tone production, and articulation.
  • 2. Identify the speech mechanism and its function in theatre speech.
  • 3. Apply principles of dramatic interpretation techniques such as emphasis, poetic speech, use of variety , pitch, volume and rate, application of emotion, use of rhythm to communicate ideas, and use of stage dialects.
  • 4. Evaluate interpretive choices of various dramatic literature styles.
  • 5. Justify all actions through careful analysis of character motivation and goals.
  • 6. Explain all vocal and physical needs of scenes.
  • 7. Solve the unfamiliar problem posed in unrealistic speech and physical conditions of various types of literature.
  • 8. Compare and contrast acting approaches and methods needed in various genres of dramatic literature.

Lecture Content

1. The Elements of Stage Diction -  breath control; proper breathing for the stage is emphasized and instruction is given in volume control and rate                  -  tone production; studied are areas of improvement of vocal tone in resonation, pitch, rate, and strength                  -  articulation; the articulated process is studied through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet 2.    Applying Dramatic Interpretation Techniques                  .  in this unit the actor applies his speech to dramatic literature using phrasing, emphasis, force, emotion, rhythm, and other interpretation techniques to increase his communication and enhance the artistic appeal of his work                  -  in the unit the actor will deliver the dramatic literature with a script before him 3.    Stage Dialects                  .  stage dialect is an area of concern to the actor as many plays require the use of dialect                  -  this unit devotes itself to an introductory study of dialects; among them are British, Cockney, Irish, French, German, Southern United States, and Western United States                  -  from his study the actor will:                  ;        understand general principles related to the use of all dialects for the stage                         concentrate his study on two dialects; one must be from the United States 4.    The Shakespeare Scene                  .  students will prepare at first a monologue from Shakespeare and then a scene with another actor stressing vocal techniques and fundamentals of acting 5.    Final Project                  .  students prepare a scene from a play with one other actor; the purpose of the project is to provide a basis with which to evaluate the actors progress

Lab Content

See Course Content.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Lectures and discussions.  Assignments of exercises, scenes, and monologues.  Critiques of assignment representation.

Reading Assignments

Written scene and character analysis, self-evaluation and critiques of presented scenes.

Writing Assignments

Written scene and character analysis, self-evaluation and critiques of presented scenes.

Out-of-class Assignments

Written scene and character analysis, self-evaluation and critiques of presented scenes.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Successful completion of scenes, monologues and exercises.  Written self.evaluation, scene analysis and critiques of fellow students.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Written scene and character analysis, self-evaluation and critiques of presented scenes.

Other Resources

1. Handouts and play scripts provided by instructor