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the role of the actor

If you were cast in an ACTING role in this semester's Advanced Acting show, you are responsible for participating in class rehearsals as well as growing as an actor/performer/communicator during the rehearsal and performance process.

 

If cast, you are ALSO responsible for INDEPENDENTLY learning about the role of an actor as outlined below. 

 

Please be sure you have your  Google Classroom Process Journal (to reflect on your process/journey).

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learning about THE ROLE OF AN ACTOR

 

 

complete before CLASS-time ON FRIDAY, 11/20:

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Read:  Rehearsal Expectations (at the bottom of this webpage)

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Read:  How to Read a Play

(Google Classroom) Process Journal Entry Title:  Approaches to Script & Character  (week 12)

1. Take brief notes on each of the approaches to script/character that are shared on this webpage.

2. List 2-3 approaches to script/character that you think could be helpful to YOU and the script that Adv. Acting is seeking to produce.  Explain why.

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Watch:  Scoring a Scene - A Review from Acting (7:15)

(Google Classroom) Process Journal Entry Title:   Scoring a Scene (Wants, Verbs, Blocking)  (week 12)

Take notes on what actors/directors do when they "score" a scene.  

Note:  Even though our script (a radio play) is different than a "typical" play, you still need to think through the basics of acting through the lens of scoring your script.  This video is a good refresher of those concepts learned in Acting class.

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Watch:  Playing the Action - NY Acting Coach, Suzanne Shepherd (7:20)

(Google Classroom) Process Journal Entry Title:  Playing the Action  (week 12)

Write down what you learned that you think could help YOU with playing YOUR action(s) in our radio play.  You can discuss overall concepts that were helpful or specifics for your script/character/lines.

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Do:  Give "verbs" (action words) to 10 of your characters lines. (completed by Friday's class)

Write your choices (verbs) IN your acting script next to your character's line(s).  Then share those choices with Ms. Price by completing the assignment in Google Classroom titled "Verbs for My Character(s)".  Use what you've learned above to make strong actable choices for your character(s). Start each of your verbs with "To [actable verb]".   

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complete before CLASS-time ON tuesday, 11/24:

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Watch:  What Every Actor Should Know (5:20)

(Google Classroom) Process Journal Entry Title:  History of Acting   (week 13)

Take organized notes on the basic history of acting. Pause as needed, so your notes are accurate and reflective. (Be sure to jot down each era/individual described and bullet points on what characterized each or what made each influential.)

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Watch:   Don Cheadle Explains Where the Real Work Happens for an Actor (4:02)

Watch:   Alan Tudyk Reveals the Key to Authentic Acting​ (2:37)

Watch:  Willem Dafoe to Young Actors: Strip the Baggage, Embrace the Unknown (2:35)

Watch:  Matt Damon Talks About What it Takes to Succeed as an Actor (3:25)

(Google Classroom) Process Journal Entry Title:   Being an Actor (week 13)

What truths/advice did you learn/appreciate from these videos?  (Be specific; use quotations if needed.)

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Do:  Research any VOICE WORK needed for your character (dialects, accents, how to raise/drop tones, etc.)

Remember, because we are doing a radio play, voice work is one of the most important things in this production.  You CAN'T have your characters sound the same...at all!  There are many dialect and voice coaches coaches online, which you will need to find and learn from on your own.  When learning a new accent or dialect that is authentic and believable, you will need to focus on the VOWELS and the placement of your tongue, and positioning of your mouth.  You will also need to PRACTICE!  Depending on the needs of YOUR character(s), each actor will be researching various vowel charts and videos based on who and what (s)he needs to sound like (old, young, Italian, etc.).  You will share your research with me in Google Classroom - see assignment under week 13 entitled "Voice Work Research" (due 12/3)

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complete before CLASS-time ON WEDNESDAY, 12/2:

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Watch:  The Four Muscles of Acting | Harry Mastrogeorge (4:22)  (week 14)

(Google Classroom) Process Journal Entry Title:  Muscles & Cancer of Acting

1. What are the 4 muscles of acting that you will need to work on?

2. What are the 2 cancers of acting that can limit you?

3. "Acting naturally under unnatural conditions."  Write that phrase in your journal IN CAPS & BOLD. (Another way to say this is "Living truthfully in imaginary circumstances".  If you prefer that phrase, you can write that one instead.)

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Do:  Create a Character Collage (due by Friday, 12/4; if you need the weekend to finish, let me know)

Choose your most dominant character in the play (or the one that you struggle with the most and want to explore more).  Create a CHARACTER COLLAGE for that character that focuses on colors, textures, and images that represent the inner world of your character.  Don't choose images that are literal (such as "he likes golf, so I included a picture of a golf club"), but rather focus on an overall "feel"...then visually represent that.  It should go deeper than what a character does/likes.  It should require some analysis about who the character IS at his/her core.  This character collage can be created either physically or digitally. (See an example HERE of one actor's interpretation of her character "Tituba" from when we produced The Crucible.)  Upload your collage (or a photo of your collage) to the shared drive in Google Classroom. (Assignment:  Character Collage - week 14)

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complete before CLASS-time ON friday, 12/4:

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Do:  Have your lines "memorized" (very close to not needing your script) by our rehearsal on Friday, 12/4. 

You should be able to be looking into the camera when playing your character during our rehearsal on Friday, 12/4.  This is a production that we will be filming, and it's imperative that the audience sees actors playing interesting CHARACTERS, and not actors looking down and reading (which would be horribly boring from an audience perspective).  An audience isn't interested in seeing you read...they want to see you act.  :)  Get off the page and into your character's body, face, voice, and intentions.   

Note:  Friday's rehearsal will be filmed so you can watch back your performance and see what you need to do to improve it.  It will also be recorded for grading purposes.  (Yes, you will get a "memorization" grade, even though you are allowed to have your script.)

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Do:  Be prepared for Friday's rehearsal by having a "stand" for your script if you are an actor, and a chair for when you would be sitting.  (Obviously you won't need to do your "blocking" during rehearsal, but you will need to stand/sit when you're supposed to, and you can NOT have your script in your hand, since that limits your ability to play your character fully.

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complete before CLASS-time ON WEDNESDAY, 12/9:

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Watch:  Behind the Scenes at Disney's Aladdin

(Google Classroom) Process Journal Entry Title:  Calltime​ / Pre-Show Checklist  (week 15)

1. In professional theatre, as shown in this video, what are the (specific) tasks performed by YOUR assigned role prior to a show?  

2.  What are some of the things that YOU could put on YOUR Pre-Show checklist to be sure our show runs smoothly?  (Think of ALL the things necessary from the time you enter the black box until the show starts, including things like "Where do I put my personal belongings?" or "Where should this prop be pre-set?" or "What's the best place for this quick change to happen?" Etc.  Don't forget to include "sign in" on your checklist.)

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Do (Formative Grade):  You will create YOUR Pre-Show Checklist with ALL tasks to consider prior to the show.  This MUST be well-thought out and completed/hung up PRIOR to the FIRST dress/tech rehearsal.  (You will also create a copy in Google Classroom - "Pre-Show Personal Checklist - will be uploaded by Friday 11/20" Type and print your checklist (with your name in large font at the top) and hang in a designated area backstage.  (Keep in mind that you will most likely need to add to this list from things you learn or are reminded of in dress/tech rehearsals.

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REHEARSAL expectations:

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Task (Formative Grade):  Whether online or in-person, expectations for rehearsal include:

1.) arrive on time 

2.) (in-person) help set up the space (daily) prior to the start bell - whether you're on stage that day or not

3.) have your script and pencil daily

4.) correctly mark your script with blocking during rehearsal (if absent, get missed blocking from the SM ASAP)

5.) participate fully both on and off stage during rehearsal

6.) know each day what's being rehearsed, and be ready for it (this includes all props used by your character)

7.) memorize your lines and blocking by pre-established deadlines

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As you know, most actors are ALSO serving on a Design Team when they are not on stage. Actors to whom this applies will be responsible for their team's design work as well as for their own acting role.

 

Note:  Included in the Design Process for the Costume Team is fittings.  You will be responsible for scheduling fittings with the costume team, which will typically be outside of class time.    The Make-up & Hair Team may also need to meet with you outside of class to practice your hair and make-up.  As of now, we will plan for an after-school fitting of costumes on Wednesday, December 9 (your first day back to in-person learning).  Please prepare for this by marking it on your calendar now.

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GO DEEPER (optional):

 

(This list will be added to over time.  Let KP know if you find any helpful information that could be useful to future Advanced Acting students.)

 

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