DRAMA 151 – BASIC ACTING FUNDAMENTALS (Item #0955)

SPRING 2017

Instructor: Karen Jo Fairbrook E-mail: kfairbro@bellevuecollege.edu Phone: 425-564-2719 Office location: E121 (Theater E-Building) Office Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 9:00-9:30am and 2:30-3:00pm; Friday 11:00-11:30am and

by appointment.

WE WILL USE 3 DIFFERENT ROOMS: STOP GAP Theater, N208, & E224

~ Mondays we will be in N208 ~ Wednesdays we will be in E224 ~ Tuesdays and Thursdays we will be in Stop Gap Theater

DRAMA 151 COURSE DESCRIPTION Introduces the basic techniques and tools used by the actor. Moving from improvisation to scene work, students learn warm ups, theatre games, vocal physical and emotional awareness, listening skills, and beginning textual analysis using objectives, obstacles and actions/tactics.

OUTCOMES After completing this class, students should be able to:

1. Perform a variety of warm ups for rehearsal, performance, presentation or interview.

2. Maintain concentration on stage. 3. Identify a character's objective and obstacle. 4. Apply acting technique to a monologue. 5. Explain the functions and importance of the emotional, physical and vocal tools

available for further study in acting. 6. Employ some of the emotional, physical and vocal tools of acting to improve a

performance.

HOW OUTCOMES WILL BE MET

1. Assignments: In-class exercises and some acting/script homework. Understanding of material relies on what is previously covered. To do well you should keep notes and be responsible for finding out what you miss if absent.

2. Midterm Monologue performance and character paperwork. 3. Final Scene performance and script analysis/character paperwork.

4. Leading Warm-ups once during the quarter. 5. Quiz on Lectures and our textbook ACTIONS: The Actor’s Thesaurus.

Bring this book to school each day. We will often use it for activities in class.

6. Journal of class activities/responses: chronicling what we do and you learn both doing and watching others. What works and doesn’t for you, what you need to work on, what you feel good about, and observations of yourself and your classmates. Daily entries work best but you should at least have an entry summing up each week.

7. Attending and critiquing the acting in our BC Spring production of “Trifles”. You will see the film and write a 2-3 page critique based on what we are learning. Make arrangements now if you need to get time off of work or other commitments. Play Date: Tuesday June 13th @ 7:30pm in BC Carlson Theater Tickets $5 for everyone. Purchase at www.brownpapertickets.com EXTRA CREDIT: “Dog Sees God”– BC Stop GapTheater $5 tickets

Thursday thru Saturday March 13th, 14th, 15th

GRADING

Coming to class is crucial. This class is built upon participation. Your absence will often curtail not only your learning but also that of your fellow students. If you miss more than 5 classes your grade will drop and you could fail the class for missing 7 or more. Constant tardiness will also cause your grade to drop. Absences can be explained but not always excused. I do not grade on “talent”- you will do well if you are fully present and give everything we do a try!!!

GRADING BREAKDOWN

Class Attendance -- 15% Participation & Preparation -- 15% Quiz on lectures and ACTIONS: Actor’s Thesaurus -- 10% Midterm: Monologue Presentation -- 5% Monologue Paperwork -- 10% Final: Scene Presentation -- 10% Scene Paperwork -- 10% Journal -- 10% BC Play Attendance & Critique -- 10% Special Acting Project -- 5% TOTAL: 100% EXTRA CREDIT: Attending & Critiquing “DOG SEES GOD” and other plays

The link to the College Grading Policy is located on page 10 of the Course Catalog: Grading Policy

FINAL EXAM

The Final Exam will be held Friday, June 16th from 9:30 – 11:20am

BOOK REQUIRED ACTIONS: The Actor’s Thesaurus – M. Caldarone & M. Lloyd-Williams (2004) ISBN: 9780896762527

HELP WITH CANVAS The following places are helpful for Students

CLASSROOM LEARNING ATMOSPHERE & INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS A SENSE OF PLAY

In order to understand and experience the answer to “What is Acting?”, you will participate in exercises; learn craft techniques; hone your imagination and sensory skills; use objectives, actions and obstacles; play games and improvise; work alone on a Monologue and with a scene partner on a short scene as you explore Connection, Talking & Listening, Subtext and Inner Monologue. All of this requires a willingness to take some risks, use your common sense, find your sense of bravery ~ and PLAY! The most important things you will be graded on will always be effort and willingness ~ not “talent”. Be prepared and ready to participate each day in comfortable clothes & shoes you can easily move in. Having an open attitude and willingness to “jump in” are key to succeeding and having a great deal of FUN!

CLASS ETHICS:

- Mutual respect and understanding that we all have different views and tastes is paramount in our class. Diversity and a variety of points-of-view are the norm. There is very little “right or wrong” in our discussions. We can learn a great deal from each other and when applicable: agree to disagree! Every single student must feel safe and welcome to express their opinions, thoughts and feelings in this class. I will be a stickler and very proactive about this! Those of us who participate in theatre are accustomed to “taking risks” – this is a safe place to do so! Absolutely no name-calling, slurs or prejudicial talk will be tolerated. Accept fellow students without judgement and BE SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER! When giving feedback always be honest yet encouraging, supportive and constructive in your observations.

- In this course, college students are expected to read, explore, practice, and perform adult material.  This is the kind of material being performed at the college, semi-professional, and professional levels. Though it may challenge your politics, values, religious beliefs and/or personal comfort level, I encourage you to welcome and explore those challenges.  If, at any time, you are uncomfortable with the class or the material, please don't hesitate to come and talk to me.  - If for any reason you don’t feel comfortable raising your concerns with me, the next

step is to talk with the program chair, Tammi Doyle, tammi.doyle@bellevuecollege.edu

425-564-2319, office in E100a. You can also bring concerns about the class to the Arts

and Humanities Division Dean, Maggie Harada (maggie.harada@bellevuecollege.edu) or

the Assistant Dean, Scott Bessho (scott.bessho@bellevuecollege.edu) in the Arts and

Humanities division office (R230). An additional resource for concerns you find aren’t

being addressed by faculty or administration is the Ombuds Office.

(http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ombuds/default.html).

CLASS BEHAVIOR/RULES: - As much of this class and therefore your grade, is dependent upon your participation and work with your fellow classmates, it is crucial that you stay on task and on time with regards to work and memorization deadlines. When working together, it is imperative you attend class as your partner(s) will be adversely affected if you are missing. You must let me and your partner(s) know if you will not be in class – or will be tardy – before the time class starts. Absences will be judged more harshly when working on partner projects. It is better to attend even if you are not fully prepared for the day’s activities than to skip class.

- Complete assignments by the due dates and turn in on time or you will not get full credit. Have props and items ready when needed. Particularly important is being a good “partner” when working with a fellow actor. Do not leave your partner unable to fully participate because you are unprepared or absent/tardy.

- Cell phones and laptops are to be turned off and put in your bag during class. I will take phones and return them after class if they ring or you are caught texting (I have been known to answer phones that ring during class ). Unless approved for specific reasons, laptops should also remain put away or they will be taken and returned after class. - You are welcome to bring drinks, but please refrain from eating during class – and particularly no gum chewing as these get in the way of our exercises and performances.

BELLEVUE COLLEGE INFORMATION

AFFIRMATION OF INCLUSION Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member

of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or any other assignments as a consequence of their religious observance should be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent, preferably at the beginning of the term. Students who are absent on days of examinations or class assignments should be offered an opportunity to make up the work without penalty (if they have previously arranged to be absent), unless it can be demonstrated that a makeup opportunity would constitute an unreasonable burden on a member of the faculty. Should disagreement arise over what constitutes an unreasonable burden or any element of this policy, parties involved should consult the department chair, or Dean.  

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CONFIDENTIALITY AND MANDATORY REPORTING As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible. However, I am required to share with the Title IX Coordinator any and all information regarding sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct (e.g. dating violence, domestic violence, stalking) that may have occurred on campus or that impacts someone on campus. Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the BC Counseling Center at (425) 564-2212. The Title IX Office can be contacted at 425-564-2441 and more information can be found at the Title IX web site. For further information and contacts, please consult College Anti-Discrimination Statements.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source), and fabrication and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College.  Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates.  The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Success for investigation.  Specific student rights, responsibilities, and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct at: Student Code A common, campus-wide minimum standard regarding student cheating, stealing, and plagiarizing provides enough autonomy for instructors and programs to set their own standards. It is the instructor's responsibility to clearly articulate to the students what is considered appropriate and inappropriate behavior in the classroom and what action will be taken in the case of inappropriate classroom behavior. It is recommended that this be done through the course syllabus. Information about Bellevue College's copyright guidelines can be found at: College Copyright Policy This link provides a good, short summary of how to avoid plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism

This 22-minute video also provides a good overview of how to avoid trouble when using sources: From the college home page select SERVICES, then LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, then DATABASES, then FILMS ON DEMAND. At their site, search by title for PLAGIARISM 2.0: ETHICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE.

DIVISION STATEMENTS Arts and Humanities Division Statement

STUDENT PROCEDURES/EXPECTATIONS: ARTS & HUMANITIES DIVISION

Students in all Arts and Humanities courses should be aware of the following:

DROPPING A COURSE: If you decide to drop a course, you are responsible for doing

the required paperwork at the Student Services Center. Should you fail to do so, your

name will appear on the final roster and your instructor will be required to assign a

grade for you—in most cases, that will be an "F." Many instructors, in fact, feel strongly

that students who take up seats in this unproductive way are keeping more serious

students from getting an education, so they use "F" grades for "phantoms."

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT: The college's "Affirmation of Inclusion” is posted in

each classroom and sets forth the expectation that we will all treat one another with

respect and dignity regardless of whether or not we agree philosophically. This

expectation is in line with the principle of free speech in a free society: we have the right

to express unpopular ideas as long as we don't show disrespect for reasonable people

who might believe otherwise. In an on-line course, you will be expressing ideas through

the medium of the course site rather than face to face in the classroom. In that case,

these expectations refer to the courtesy with which you communicate with one another

through e-mails and e-discussions.

Part of this respect involves professional behavior toward the instructor, colleagues, and

the class itself. Disruptive behavior is disrespectful behavior. The Arts and Humanities

Division honors the right of its faculty to define "disruptive behavior," which often

involves such things as arriving late, leaving early, leaving class and then returning,

talking while others are trying to hear the instructor or their group members, doing other

homework in class, wearing earphones in class, bringing activated beepers, alarm

watches, or cellular phones into class, inappropriate comments or gestures, etc. In on-

line courses, “flaming’ anyone in the class is also considered disruptive behavior. Such

behavior interrupts the educational process. When you are in doubt about any behavior,

consult your instructor during office hours: we recognize the judgment of the instructor

as the final authority in these matters.

When disruptive behavior occurs, instructors will speak to or e-mail the students

concerned. Those students are then responsible for ending the disruptions at once.

Failure to do so may result in removal of the students from class.

VALUES CONFLICTS: Essential to a liberal arts education is an open-minded tolerance

for ideas and modes of expression which might conflict with one’s personal values. By

being exposed to such ideas or expressions, students are not expected to endorse or

adopt them but rather to understand that they are part of the free flow of information

upon which higher education depends.

TO THIS END, you may find that class requirements may include engaging certain

materials, such as books, films, and art work, which may, in whole or in part, offend you.

These materials are equivalent to required texts and are essential to the course content.

If you decline to engage the required material by not reading, viewing, or performing

material you consider offensive, you will still be required to meet class requirements in

order to earn credit. This may require responding to the content of the material, and you

may not be able to fully participate in required class discussions, exams, or

assignments. Consult the syllabus and discuss such issues with the instructor.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: The principle of academic honesty underlies all that we do and

applies to all courses at Bellevue College. One kind of academic dishonesty is

plagiarism, which may take many forms, including, but not limited to, using a paper

written by someone else, using printed sources word-for-word without proper

documentation, and paraphrasing or summarizing the ideas of others without

acknowledging the source. Plagiarism can also occur when non-written ideas are taken

without documentation--using someone else's design or performance idea, for example.

In short, plagiarism is passing off someone else's ideas, words, or images as your own;

it amounts to intellectual theft--whether or not it was your intention to steal. Bellevue

College instructors have access to commercial plagiarism detection software, so please

be advised that any work you submit may be tested for plagiarism.

Participating in academic dishonesty in any way, including writing a paper or taking a

test for someone else, may result in severe penalties. Dishonestly produced papers

automatically receive a grade of "F" without the possibility of make-up. The Dean of

Student Services will also be notified of such conduct, and repetition of the behavior will

result in progressively more serious disciplinary action (for example, an instructor may

recommend that the student fail the course for a second offense or even that a student

be expelled for a serious offense, such as stealing an exam). Grades lowered for

plagiarism or other forms of dishonesty may be appealed through the regular channels,

and any further disciplinary action taken by the Dean may also be appealed through

existing processes.

THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES: It is important to attend classes from the very

beginning. If you cannot do so, you are responsible for notifying your instructor. Your

instructor is in no way responsible for re-teaching material that you missed because of

your failure to attend the first classes. Indeed, missing crucial introductory material may

affect your performance during the remainder of the course.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS: Students are responsible for consulting the course

syllabus daily and bringing to class the appropriate texts and materials. Failure to do so

does not constitute an exception from the daily work.

LATE WORK: Individual instructors make their own rules on accepting or grading late

work. The Arts and Humanities Division believes strongly that honoring deadlines is

essential for student success. Consult your instructor regarding any late work. In

general, late work may be a) downgraded as severely as the instructor chooses, b)

given no credit, but still be required for passing the course, or c) not accepted at all. The

extent to which late work affects grades is up to the instructor. Instructors may also elect

not to give feedback to works in progress if required drafts or plans are not turned in on

time. Failure to attend class on the day a paper is due does not constitute an excuse for

lateness. Similarly, missing an exam does not oblige the instructor to give a make-up.

Your instructors will inform you about their individual penalties for late papers and

missed exams. All lateness or absence on due days or exam days should be arranged

with the instructor well in advance.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY: Instructors may, at their discretion, agree to accept

student work that is submitted in various ways, including in person, to the division office,

or via e-mail. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that all assignments are actually

received by the instructor, whether they are submitted in person or electronically. It is

the student's responsibility, not the instructor's, to initiate communication about progress

or concerns with the course. Instructors are under no obligation to inform students that

work is overdue, to nag students to complete assignments, or to call students who fail to

attend class. Similarly, students need to keep themselves informed about syllabus

changes that may have been made in class. We suggest finding a partner the first week

of classes and keeping each other up to date if one is absent.

Revised: March 22, 2017

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All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail account. Your student network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network and log in to MyBC. To create your account, go to: Create Email BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the ITS Service Desk.

▪ Disability Resource Center (DRC) The Disability Resource Center serves students with disabilities. A disability includes any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Common disabilities include physical, neurological (e.g. Autism, ADD), and mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety). If you are a student who has a disability or if you think you may need accommodations in order to have equal access to programs, activities, and services, please contact the DRC.

If you require assistance in an emergency, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan for while in class and contact the DRC to develop a safety plan for while you are elsewhere on campus. If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional access program available to you. Contact Autism Spectrum Navigators (ASN). Email and phone number is on the web page. ASN is located in the Library Media Center in D125. The DRC office is located in building B Room 132. You can contact the DRC by stopping by B132, calling our desk at 425-564-2498, emailing drc@bellevuecollege.edu, and Deaf students can reach us by Skype (account name DRCatBC). For more information about the services we offer, including our Initial Access Application, visit the DRC website.

ACCESSIBILITY

The online elements of this course are designed to be welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by everyone, including students who are English-language learners, have a variety of learning styles, have disabilities, or are new to online learning. Be sure to let me know immediately if you encounter a required element or resource in the course that is not accessible to you. Also, let me know of changes I can make to the course so that it is more welcoming to, accessible to, or usable by students who take this course in the future.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCIES

Public Safety is located in the D building (D171) and can be reached at 425-564-2400

(easy to remember because it’s the only office on campus open 24 hours a day—2400).  Among other things, Public Safety serves as our Parking Permits, Lost and Found, and Emergency Notification center.  Please ensure you are signed up to receive alerts through our campus alerting system by registering at RAVE Alert Registration If you work late and are uneasy about going to your car, Public Safety will escort you to your vehicle. To coordinate this, please phone ahead and let Public Safety know when and where you will need an escort. Please familiarize yourself with the emergency postings by the door of every classroom and know where to go in the event of an evacuation.  Your instructor will be asked if anyone might still be in the building, so check in before you do anything else.  Emergency responders will search for anyone unaccounted for. If a major emergency occurs, please follow these three rules: 1) Take directions from those in charge of the response - We all need to be working together.

2) Do not get in your car and leave campus (unless directed to) - Doing so will clog streets and prevent emergency vehicles from entering the scene.  Instead, follow directions from those in charge. 3) In an emergency, call 911 first, then Public Safety. Please do not hesitate to call Public Safety if you have safety questions or concerns at any time. You may also visit the Public Safety web page for answers to your questions.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR The Bellevue College Academic Calendar is separated into two calendars. They

provide information about holidays, closures and important enrollment dates such as the finals schedule.

Enrollment Calendar On this calendar you will find admissions and registration dates and important dates for withdrawing and receiving tuition refunds. College CalendarThis calendar gives you the year at a glance and includes college holidays, scheduled closures, quarter end and start dates, and final exam dates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All students should be aware of the many tutorial services provided by the Academic Success Center. If you need free tutorial help, please visit them in D204. If you feel threatened or see something that may indicate trouble, please report it right away at Report Concerns. We all need to help keep our campus safe for everyone.

10 Questions About Syllabus:

So, this is how I know if you have read our syllabus or not! These are the easiest points to earn – all you have to

do is send me the following information, starting with YOUR name and Bellevue College email address at the top

of the page:

1) What is MY name, BC email & office phone number, and my office location? 2) What is the book you are required to have for the quarter? 3) What film are you required to attend at BC and when is it? How many pages is your Acting Review to be? 4) What should you include in your class journal? 5) What can you do to be well-prepared for class? What should you NOT DO in class? 6) What happens to cell phones if they ring or you are caught texting during class? 7) What will I be a stickler and very proactive about? 8) Why is attendance so important when we are working on partner scenes? 9) When is our FINAL scheduled to take place? 10) Where does our class meet on Monday, Wednesday, Tuesday & Thursday?

COURSE CALENDAR: Drama 151 Spring 2017

APRIL & MAY & JUNE 2017

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

APRIL 3rd

Welcome!

1st Day of

Class

4th

Bring your

Object

5th

6th

Syllabus

Questions

Due

10th

11th

12th

13th

Monologue

Chosen

DOG SEES

GOD 7:30pm

14th

DOG SEES

GOD 7:30pm

15th

DOG SEES

GOD 7:30pm

17th 18th 19th 20th

24th

25th 26th 27th

MAY 1st

Scene

Chosen

2nd

3rd

Monologue

Presentation

& Paperwork

Due

4th

Feedback on

Monologues

& Journal

Check in

8th

Begin

Partner

Scenework

9th 10th

11th

APRIL & MAY & JUNE 2017

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

15th

16th

17th

18th

22nd

23rd

24th

25th

Journal

Check in

29th

No School

HOLIDAY

30th

Quiz Due

31st

JUNE 1ST

5th

Drunk Day!

6th SPECIAL

ACTING

PROJECT

DAY

7th

8TH

10TH

12th

13th

JOURNAL

DUE

Last Day

Regular Class

TRIFLES film

@ 7:30pm

14th

15th

TRIFLES

Critique Due

16th

FINAL SCENE

Presentation

9:30-

11:20am

Happy

Summer

Break!