THTR 194A

Group Studies in Acting and Directing: Shakespeare in the Park

Spring 2015
Section 46797, TR 2-4:50, TD-W 1703
Instructor: Gerry Hansen
Office: TD-E 2609
Office Hours: TR 1:00-1:50, and by appointment
Email: ghansen@theaterdance.ucsb.edu
Cell: 805-680-0456
Welcome to Group Studies in Acting and Directing: Shakespeare in the Park. This course is
intended to give students the opportunity to experience the rewards and challenges of performing
Shakespeares poetry in a natural setting. The class will involve ensemble work with an
emphasis on analyzing the text though performance. During the course of the quarter students
will study, rehearse, produce and perform Shakespeares The Tempest, culminating in two public
performances in Isla Vistas AnisqOyo Park on Saturday June 6th and Sunday June 7th.
The class will also be producing their own performances. Along with performing their assigned
role, or roles, in The Tempest students will also assist with costumes, props, graphics design,
and advertising. Non-performing students will assume additional production responsibilities in
assistant directing and/or stage management. By participating in both the performance and the
production end of the play students will hopefully gain a greater appreciation of staging
Shakespeares works.
As this is a performance class, please wear clothing you can move freely in. No flip flops or gum
in class. No open toed shoes at the park. Please insure your cell phones are switched off during
class time and all rehearsals.
Course Requirements
1) Timeliness: Be on time. Class starts promptly on the hour. Since the course is
ensemble based, it is disruptive to begin without all participants. Lateness to class will
affect your grade. Three late arrivals to class equates to one absence.
2) Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. One absence for whatever reason is allowed.
For each absence beyond this, your final grade will be lowered one half grade (see
Attendance Matrix below.)
3) Participation: Effort, commitment and a positive attitude are paramount. Come to class
prepared for the assignment, having done your research, rehearsed with your scene
partners, and ready to participate. Be willing to accept constructive comments and
integrate what we have discussed in class into your performance.
4) Required Reading: Readers containing a cut version of The Tempest are available for
purchase at Alternative Copy Shop in the UCEN.
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5) Rehearsals: Rehearsals outside of class are required, and a large part of the performers
homework for this course. Students should start early in the quarter, rehearsing regularly
with their scene partners outside of class.
Small group rehearsals and individual character work outside of class will be scheduled
later in the quarter. Group rehearsals will be held 7-11:00, Mon/Wed/Fri evenings in HSSB
2201. You will only be required to attend rehearsals for the scenes you are in. Schedule
TBD.
6) Production Effort: All students will assist with production responsibilities on an asrequired basis. Production areas include costumes, props, sound, graphic design,
artwork, advertising, and setup / teardown at the park. Non-performing students will
assume additional larger production responsibilities in assistant directing and/or stage
managing. Grading will consist of attitude, effort, timeliness and follow-through.
7) Written assignments: There will be several written assignments for this class. For
performers, the assignments will focus on your assigned character(s), and your characters
role within the play. For non-performing students, the written assignments will be
applicable to your production responsibilities. Details will be discussed at a later date.
8) Final Exam: The Final Exam will consist of two public performances to be held on
Saturday 6/6 and Sunday 6/7 @ 7:00 pm in AnisqOyo Park in Isla Vista. Students must
also attend tech rehearsal on Sat 6/6 (Tech time TBD), and perform both nights. NO
EXCEPTIONS.
Attendance Matrix:
1 Absence = no penalty
2 Absences = final grade lowered grade
3 Absences = final grade lowered 1 grade
4 Absences = final grade lowered 2 grades
5 Absences = failure in course
Grading Breakdown:
30% Participation
20% Production Effort
20% Written Assignments
30% Final Performances
Grading Scale:
A = 100% to 90%
B = 89% to 80%
C = 79% to 70%
D = 69% to 60%
F = 59% to 0%
Syllabus is subject to change without notice.
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