COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

A
B

Course Title
& Number
Pre/Corequisite(s)

Number of
credits

Faculty Name

Term/ Year

Sections

Instructor
Information

THE 102: Dramatic Process

None
3-0-3
Prof. Cate Moran
Spring 2017
CRN

Course

Day
s

Time

Location

20635

THE102-01

MW

12:30-1:45

Arts 102

Instructor

Office

Telephone

Email

Prof. Cate
Moran

Arts 112

X4356

cmoran@aus.edu

Office Hours:

Course
Description
from Catalog

Course
Learning
Outcomes

MW 2-3 also available by appointment

Explores the speech, movement and improvisational techniques used to
create dramatic expression and effective stage communication. Introduces
the Stanislavsky system. Includes interactive ensemble performances.
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1.Describe the basic principles and techniques involved with acting, as well
as the actors process;
2.Demonstrate effective stage movement, internal and external motivations
and objectives in developing characterizations;
3.Demonstrate an understanding of working in an ensemble;
4.Explain the basic goals of an actor in a professional setting.

Textbook and
other
Instructional
Material and
Resources

The Actor in You (fifth edition) by Robert Benedetti

Teaching and
Learning
Methodologie
s

Lecture

Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

Production critiques

Class Discussions of Text readings

Performance

Group assignments/exercises

Videos

Quizzes

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Grading
Scale,
Grading
Distribution

Explanation of
Assessments

Grading Scale

94 100
90 93
88 89
83 87
80 82

4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7

A
AB+
B
B-

78 79
73 77
70 72
60 69
Less Than
60

2.3
2.0
1.7
1.0
0

C+
C
CD
F

1. Participation
10 points
2. Production Critiques
10 points
3. Improvisations (4)
20 points
4. Quizzes (4)
20 points
5. Monologue
10 points
6. Scene
10 points
7. Written Final /or Scene Presentation
10 points
Assignments
1. Production Critiques: Students are required to attend the following
AUS productions: Hiraeth and Flashbacks and write a critique on the
acting. Guidelines will be handed out in class.
2. Improvisations: Throughout the semester, you will be assigned 4
improvisations for which you will be graded. These will be explained
in detail as we get to them. These improvisations will require
working with other members of the class on your own time in order
to prepare them. Please make sure that when you are assigned
to work with others, you fulfill your obligation by showing up
on time and ready to work. Failure to do so should be
reported to the instructor, and will count against your grade
for that assignment.
3. Quizzes: There will be 4 scheduled quizzes during the semester.
These will include readings from the text, handouts, and what is done
in class. Readings from the text are due on the dates indicated on
your syllabus. You will be asked to put points from the reading on the
board. Discussions will then be conducted in class, and you are
expected to participate. Failure to do so will trigger a pop quiz on the
reading.
4. Monologue: Students will prepare and present a monologue from a
play assigned by the instructor. Grading is based on the final
presentation, and the following factors are worth 20 points each:
Character Analysis, VoiceProjection, Objectives, Motivation, and
Movement. Line memorization is not graded. It is expected of actors.
Failure to fully memorize lines by the date specified on the course
calendar will result in a grade of 0.
5. Scene Exercise: This is a scene assigned by the instructor. Grading is
based on final presentation, and the following factors are worth 20
points each: Character Analysis, Voice Projection, Objectives,
Motivation, Connection, and Presence. Line memorization is not
graded. It is expected of actors. Failure to fully memorize lines will
result in a grade of 0.
6. Written Final: A comprehensive written final will be given, which will
cover all class readings, lectures and discussions and/or a final scene

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

presentation.

Student
Academic
Integrity Code
Statement

Students will be held accountable for all issues concerning

academic integrity as outlined in the student handbook.

SCHEDULE
Note: Tests and other graded assignments due dates are set. No addendum, make-up exams, or
extra assignments to improve grades will be given.
#

WEEK

CHAPTER

NOTES

Jan 23, 25

Introductions, Student Survey, photos

Read Chapter 1- Steps 1-2

Jan 20, Feb 1

No class, attend performance and workshop at

Theatre Festival

1 page critique for each

event
refer to pg. 8 in Text

Festival papers due Feb 6

Read Chapter 1- Steps 3-5

Read Chapter 1, Step 6

Read Chapter 1, Steps 7-8

Read Chapter 2, Steps 9-10

Understanding the Actors Job

3

Feb 6,8

The Tradition of the Actor

Improvisation # 1, Quiz #1
Relaxing and Centering

Feb 13, 15

Breathing, Sounding, and Moving from the

Center
Collaboration, Exploring the Text
Improvision #2, Quiz #2
Objectives, and Actions

Feb 20, 22
Improvisation #3, Quiz #3
Beats, Scenes, Superobjective and Spine

Feb 27, Mar 1

The foundation of Character

Quiz #3 / Improvision #3

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Personalization
6

Mar 6, 8

Early Rehearsal

Read Chapter 3, Steps 11-12

In class and outside

rehearsal

Improvisation #4, Quiz 4

Staging and Final Rehearsals
7

Mar 13, 15

The Performance and After

Monologues

Mar 20, 22

Monologues

In class and outside

rehearsal

Mar 27, 29

Perform Monologues

Assign scenes

10

Apr 10, 12

In class and outside

rehearsal

In class and outside

rehearsal
Critique of Flashbacks due
April 19

Scene Work
Flashbacks April 11-14 and 16-18

11

Apr. 17, 19

Scene Work

12

Apr 24, 26

Scene Work

13

May 1, 3

Final Scene Presentations

14

May 8

Review for written final

15

May 11

Final 8-10

In class and outside

rehearsal

Grading Note
I will not change grades at the end of the term for any reason other than instructor error. If your
final grade ends in a .5, it will round up. If it is a .4, it will round down. For instance, if you end
with a 79.5, you will get an B-, but a 79.4 will be a C+.
Make-Up Policies
No make-ups will be given for any assignments or projects which are missed.
If a final project is missed due to absence, the missing student will receive a grade of 0.
Students may be allowed to present a missed scene presentation or project at a later time, only if
there are extreme overriding circumstances, such as personal or family emergencies and/or
illness. Make-up scene opportunities are left to the discretion of the instructor.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Missed quizzes may only be made up if the student presents to the instructor written notification
for excused absence. It must be made up within 48 hours of the absence or will be counted as a
0.
Mid-Term and Final Exam make-ups will not be given. Students may be allowed to take a missed
mid-term or final, only if there are extreme overriding circumstances, such as personal or family
emergencies and/or illness. Make-up exam opportunities are left to the discretion of the instructor.
It is the responsibility of each student to be present for all assignments. Cases involving illness or
personal emergencies will be handled on an individual basis, and make-ups may be given at the
discretion of the instructor.
Extra Credit Policy
None for this course.
Class Expectations
All written assignments must be submitted in hard copy form on the date assigned, not via email,
typed and double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font, unless otherwise announced by the
instructor. Students are expected to be fully prepared to work on all daily activities. Please respect
your instructor and classmates by turning off mobile phones upon entering the classroom.
Speaking while another person is doing so is also considered disrespectful.
Each student begins this course with a clean slate and on equal footing, which is average. Only
those who excel and greatly exceed expectations will qualify for an A. A grade of B is reserved
for those who do strong, but not superior work yet still exceed expectations. Average work, which
is the most common, requires an average grade, of C.
Excused Absences and Tardies
Documentation will be required and each case will be handled on an individual basis, according to
the instructors discretion.
Withdrawal Policy
Students are responsible for withdrawing by the deadline listed by the university, and according to
university policies. This is not the instructors responsibility, but the instructor may choose to
personally withdraw students who have exceeded the limit for absences.