ACTING SCENES DESCRIPTION: Working in teams of two or three, you will choose a 6 to 8 minute scene from contemporary dramatic literature, explore it, rehearse it, memorize and perform it in class.
SELECTION: Find a 6 to 8 minute two or three person scene as quickly as possible. Look to the scene books on reserve or in the stacks of the library, use ideas from the lit improvs, find anthologies in the HSU library or use the scene books placed on reserve. Start the process immediately. If you can't find a scene long enough, it might be possible to excerpt dialogue from the entire play to create a scene of the right length. The advantage of selecting from a familiar play is a more complete understanding of the entire work. The advantage of choosing from a scene book is economy; they often are divided into categories of gender and age. Make an attempt to read the original play the scene is from to gain a fuller understanding of it. When selecting your material, consider the attributes and personalities of you and your partners. Choose characters that are close enough to who you are so that you can play them honestly. Be sure there is a good balance of lines and stage time for all members of your group. Have scene selected and copied by the time we finish the Directed Improv (Transforming Moment) performances.
CHARACTER WORK: While accessible staging of your scene is expected, the bulk of your work should be on characterization. Part of your character work will be solo and part of it will be in concert with your partner. Create a character that is an extension and extrapolation of yourself. Create a biography of your character: history, likes, dislikes, personality, physical attributes, mental attributes, emotional attributes. At each character decision, compare the character to yourself--the similarities and differences. Of course, analysis of what your character says in the scene will be called for. Clearly define the goals for your character and make decisions on what tactics will be used to achieve them. Spend a portion of your rehearsal process sharing character decisions with your partner. Have a conversation on how your respective characters view each other, how goals intersect and how they might react to changes in tactics. Adjust your own characterization after learning of your partner's decisions. Keeping good notes while you make decisions will make writing your intent paper much easier.
WRITING: An 800 word intent paper in standard, academic format is required on the day you perform. Do a complete character analysis and scene breakdown. Include a short biography of your own character, using "four levels of characterization." Analyze the dialogue of the characters, with a particular focus on your own. Explore the subtext of the dialogue. Describe the character's goals, obstacles and tactics, again with a focus on your own character. How do the characters change? Is there a shift in power or status? Explain what you hope the audience to experience and how you intend to show that. Discuss the scene structure: Subscenes (complete goal units), French scenes (entrances and exits), and especially the beats (complete tactic units). This paper is worth 25 points and is due the day you preform.
REHEARSAL: At least 4 class sessions will be provided for your rehearsals--provided that you have your scene chosen and copied on time. It is suggested that you prepare your own character analysis and biography as soon as you select a scene so that you are ready to work with your partner in class.
PERFORMANCE: All scenes will be performed during regular class sessions; check your schedule of classes. You may invite friends to attend these session. A brief verbal critique will follow each scene.
GRADING: Each student will be evaluated not only on the performance of their piece but also on the dynamics of the process. We will note during the process how well you give and take during improvisations and discussions. Most decisions are expected to be by consensus. An evaluation form (and your paper) will be used to assess your performance. Much of the form will be filled out during the event, but your grade will not be assigned until after your intent paper has been submitted and read. We will be looking for a consistency in your performance, clear choices of characterization made evident, and changes corresponding to the dramatic beats. Use your evaluation form as a "checklist" to aid in preparing your performance. During the performance we will be looking for characterizations that are fully realized internally and externally. In other words, you will be graded on how well you go for goals, utilize tactics, listen carefully and showing your character physically, socially, psychologically as well as morally. We are expecting you to show, not tell, the action through your interactions with each other and your environment. We will also look at how the scene unfolds, builds and how lines are linked and topped. This assignment is worth a maximum of 125 points.