Acting Theories

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Subject guarantor

Name of lecturer(s)

Mary Carmel ANGIOLILLO

Contents

Acting Theories surveys approaches to the art of acting, beginning with Stanislavski’s tools for the creation of psychological character. Approaches stemming from Meyerhold’s emphasis on physical expressivity are also explored, and the course continues to look at approaches which fall within two major categories of acting techniques: techniques for the creation of a psychologically truthful character and techniques for immediate expressivity or training an actor to physically respond to images. As each approach is introduced, in-class exercises demonstrate some of the techniques used by that particular acting teacher. This is why class size has to be limited so that there is space and time for everyone to participate in the exercises.

Learning outcomes

• To become familiar with vocabulary and key concepts related to the art of acting
• To understand basic theories of Stanislavski, Meyerhold, Brecht, Grotowski and Method Acting teachers
• To be able to compare approaches to acting as developed by major acting teachers
• To become familiar with core exercises related to different schools of acting
• To apply acting theories to practical work with actors

Prerequisites and other requirements

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Literature

Hodge, Alison (2009). Twentieth Century Actor Training. (London: Routledge).

Zarelli, Phillip. (1995) Acting (Re) Considered: Theories and Practices. (London: Routledge).

Evaluation methods and criteria

Students are expected to regularly attend class and fully participate in the exercises. Student must have a minimum of 70% attendance to pass the course (more is expected).

See detail of assignments below.

If students miss the class on Lecoq, they must prepare the in-class transfer exercise at home and submit a filmed version to the instructor.

If students miss the class on Grotowski, they must prepare the in-class physical score exercise at home and submit a filmed version to the instructor.

A final grade is calculated is in this way:

40% - In-class participation in exercises, attendance includes transfer exercise (5%) and physical score exercise (5%)

30% - Written response to readings

30% - Two in-class tests on material covered in the course

Note

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Schedule for winter semester 2023/2024:

• Week view
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Schedule for summer semester 2023/2024:

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The subject is a part of the following study plans