Shenandoah University

Acting for Shakespeare TH 302-101, 3 credits, Spring 2016

Instructor: Dr. Carolyn Coulson
email: ccoulson2@su.edu
Office: RUE 127-G
Office Phone: 540-6654917
Class Meets: MW 9 10:40 and W 3-3:50
Office hours: Mon 11:00-2:00, Tues/Thur 11:00-12:00 & by appointment
Course Description:
In this class the student will develop textual, vocal and physical skills for
performing the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Particular
attention will be paid to scansion, textual analysis, historical context,
movement, and vocal technique.
Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of the course, students will:
1. Know and use multiple techniques of analysis to explore and gain control of
Shakespeares language
2. Apply voice and body work to the rigors of Shakespeares text and characters
3. Overcome fear of Shakespeare and discover types of characters which suit
students individual strengths
4. Apply skills of textual analysis and character research to at least two different
characters
5. Prepare a 45 minute-cut of a Shakespeare play for performance.
Teaching Methods:
Readings/Discussion
Scansion/context lectures
Character analysis (L.O. 1, 4)
Soliloquy/Set speech study (L.O. 1, 2)
2 Scenes (L.O. 2, 3, 4)
Performance of 45 minute cut of play (L.O. 5)
Materials:
Required:
Playing Shakespeare: An Actors Guide, by John Barton, Methuen
Any edition of the following texts/plays:
Shakespeares Sonnets
Midsummer Nights Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Pericles

Required technology:

Blackboard: written analyses and other assignments

Recommended for further study and voice work:

Speaking Shakespeare, by Patsy Rodenburg, Palgrave MacMillan

Freeing Shakespeare's Voice: The Actor's Guide to Talking the Text, Kristin
Linklater, Theatre Communications Group
Your body and your mind, in an alert, fed condition!
Appropriate clothing. Always be prepared to move. We will not always
approach Shakespeare from a period setting, but we will sometimes. You
need appropriate rehearsal garb. This includes shoes, skirts, jackets, vests or
ties, and hair.
Your full-size notebook and writing implement

Other Policies:

All work is due in class on the assigned date. Some written assignments
will be submitted digitally through Blackboard and will be graded on
content, style and mechanics.

In-class work cannot be made up. You will lose points for each absence, as
you will miss work. Exceeding 3 absences will result in failure of the
course. Tardiness or leaving early counts as an absence.

A committed, open attitude and a willingness to work are required, as is a

respect for the work and for your fellow student actors and instructor.
Students are expected to respect the studio space and properly strike all
set pieces and props. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a
manner contributing to a healthy and creative working environment.
Conduct that is disruptive or detrimental to the healthy environment may
be cause for a students dismissal from class.

On Wednesdays at 3-3:50, all acting classes will meet in Glaize for Acting
Forum. Please check the schedule posted on the Bulletin Board.

Grading:
Attendance, attitude, & participation in discussion of reading 20%
Soliloquy work and analysis
20%
First scene work and analysis
25%
Second scene
25%
Performance
10%
Acting and Musical Theatre majors must receive a C or better in this class
to continue in the acting course sequence.
Grading:
93-100
90-92 A-

88-89 B+
83-87 B

80-82 B78-79 C+
73-77 C

70-72 C60-69 D
Below 60 F

Health Statement: Students are expected to maintain a state of health that

permits them to function in the instruction offered. Proper nutrition and adequate
rest form the basis for this condition.

University Policies
Students with Disabilities: ; The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits
discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Under ADA, a disability is defined
as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. If
you need accommodations because of a disability, please register with the Office of
Learning Resources and Services (located in the Academic Enrichment Center in
Howe Hall, room 204) at the beginning of each semester, or as soon as possible, so
that arrangements can be made. Accommodations are granted on a case-by-case
basis with the support of proper documentation. Please call the office of Learning
Resources and Services at 540-665-4928 or email dss@su.edu for information
and/or to make an appointment to discuss your needs. You will find more
information at: http://www.student-life.su.edu/disability-services/
Honor Code: The SU Honor Code prohibits lying, stealing, and cheating. As a
faculty member of SU, I am dedicated to upholding the standards of academic
integrity prescribed by the Honor Code, and I do not tolerate academic dishonesty
for any reason. If I suspect a violation has occurred, I will take action. If you have
questions about the Honor Code, please come talk to me or refer to Honor Code on
the SU website. Logging in to a SU system with a SU issued login signifies that you
are agreeing to abide by the SU Honor Code.
Inclement Weather: Notice of class cancellations and campus closings will occur
through the Emergency Alert System and will be placed on area radio and television
stations, the SU Web site and the University phone system.
Cell Phone Policy: turn your cell phone off and stow it, unless you are using it as a
script!
Student Complaint Policy: Shenandoah University affirms the right of students to
bring forth complaints and is committed to resolving these matters in a fair,
equitable and timely manner, so as to protect the rights of both the individual and
the community. Refer to the student catalog for specific procedures.
Student Privacy: Annually, Shenandoah University provides information to
students concerning their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
of 1974, as amended (FERPA). This act was designed to protect the privacy of
education records and afford students certain rights with respect to their education
records. Refer to the student catalog for specific procedures.
Student Support Services:
The Library online materials are available 24/7:
http://www.su.edu/university-libraries/

The IC Help Desk are available 24/7:

https://workorder.su.edu/helpdesk/
The Counseling resources are available at:
http://www.student-life.su.edu/counseling-center-home/
Schedule
Weekly reading assignments will sometimes be discussed in class before floor work
begins, especially at the beginning of the semester. Although we may discuss them
less as the semester continues, you must realize how useful they are and continue
to read! After the first couple of weeks, I do not want to spend lots of time on warm
ups during class. Come early and warm up.
BIG PICTURE:
Weeks
Weeks
Weeks
Weeks

1-2 Verse and character

3-5 Set speeches and soliloquies (monologues)
6-9 First scenes
10-15 Performance selections (scenes)
IN MORE DETAIL (subject to change):

1. Week of 1/18: No class on Monday (MLK Day)

Wednesday: Read Chapter One in Barton: The Two Traditions.
In-class lecture/work on basic scansion
2. Week of 1/25: For Monday: Read Barton Chapter 2: Using the Verse.
Wednesday: Continue work on verse & scansion. Prologue to Henry
V
Assign character study
3. Week of 2/1: For Monday: Read Barton Chapter 3: Language and Character
In-class work on character study assignments choose monologue
by Wednesday
4. Week of 2/8: For Monday: Read Barton Chapter 10: Exploring a Character (yes,
we are out of order).
In-class work on character study assignments / monologues
5. Week of 2/15: Read Barton Chapter 5: Set Speeches and Soliloquies/The
Audience
Soliloquy work
Friday: Written analysis of character language due on Bbd
6. Week of 2/22: Monday Final showings of soliloquies on Monday
Wednesday: Read Barton Chapter 4: Using the Prose
Assign first scenes read throughs
(City of Angels)

7. Week of 2/29: Monday - Read Barton Chapter 9: Rehearsing the text

Scene work
Scene work on your own on Wednesday
SPRING BREAK (read Pericles over break)
8. Week of 3/14

Read Barton Chapter 7: Irony and Ambiguity

Scene work

9. Week of 3/21 Final showing of scenes on Monday

Assign play/second scenes for Performance
10. Week of 3/28: Scene work
(Savage in Limbo)
11. Week of 4/4: Monday - Read Barton chapter 8: Passion and Coolness
Scene work
12. Week of 4/11: Monday - Read Barton chapter 9: Rehearsing the Text
Scene work
4/-4/1

Illyria

13. Week of 4/18: Monday - Read Barton chapter 12: Poetry & Hidden Poetry
Scene work
14. Week of 4/25: WEDNESDAY: Forum Performance
15. Week of 5/2 Last week of class: Discuss final scenes - Review
monologues
Final exam: Monday 5/9 8-10:30
EXAM will consist of a mock audition for a specific
Shakespeare Festival season. More info TBA