The Actor s Way of Work A structured series of exercises and scenes designed to introduce the student to the actor s art as it has evolved over the centuries and primarily in the last one hundred years. The exercises seek to awaken the actor s creativity, imagination, and spirit of play, and to develop physical and vocal expressiveness. The scene work seeks to develop the actor s ability to read a text and make bold, active rehearsal choices that illuminate the character and the world of the play. An introduction to the actor s art through work on Shakespeare. Exercises to connect the actor physically and vocally to the text, and to meet the demands of performing heightened language.
Work includes the use of the neutral and half mask, verbal improvisation, and scenes and monologues.
Attention is also given to the heightened performance demands of the classic Greek theatre. Voice and Interpretation Work in voice production, articulation, and interpretation through readings of literary and dramatic texts. A substantial amount of memorization is required. Stagecraft A study of the basic principles and techniques in the design and construction of scenery, lighting, properties, costumes and sound for the theatre. Ten films will be analyzed with written reviews.