ITALIA CONTI - B.A. ACTING COURSE
SCHEME OF WORK
Module:
Component:
PA1501 Introduction to Acting
Acting
Class Length:
Teaching weeks:
4 hours
9 (Weeks 1-5, 7-10)
Class/Teaching project title:
Scenes from 19th Century Naturalistic Texts
PREPARATION AND SPECIFIC READING
Core Practitioner Texts for Reference is Respect for Acting Uta Hagen
Benedetti, J, 1998. Stanislavski & The Actor. Methuen.
Hagen, Uta, 1191. A Challenge to the Actor. Scribner.
Term:
Spring
Assessment:
Cumulative Practice
Teacher:
Bradley Leech
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TERM’S WORK:
This class follows on the previous term’s acting work. We will be investigating A Doll’s House by Henrik
Ibsen – Methuen Student Edition. Casting will be announced at the beginning of term, when you will also
be allocated a research topic.
You will be required to apply the fundamental acting process leant in other acting classes to a set of
increasingly complex demands. These include:
 A remote historical and cultural context
 Complex political and intellectual concepts
 Physical transformation – you may be required to play age, class, deformity, drunkenness etc
 Complex psychological characters with experiences which may go beyond anything that has
happened in your life
The group will start with a read through of the play. A discussion of themes and research topics will be
discussed. These research topics will be presented in the Week 2, which should enable the group to fully
investigate the historical and cultural context in which play was written. We will then, focussing on
individual scenes, start to break the text into units, identifying themes, major events and a super objective
for the play.
We will then start to focus on character and relationships. Students will be required to present a
character biography detailing how they relate to other characters. The text will be analysed to identify,
given circumstances, objectives and super objectives and then through rehearsal, actions/tactics will be
explored in pursuit of the identified objectives.
You will be expected to work in garments – practice skirts, character shoes, smart trousers, shirts, blouses,
jackets, ties, waistcoats. Wardrobe may be able to provide some of this but most of it is included in the
essential kit list sent to you before enrolment.
In the final week you will present your work to key staff members.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
The rest of the group will watch your rehearsal and is encouraged to make notes and ask questions at the
end.
Resources:
Marking, Assessment and Tutorial Requirements:
Studio with key furniture and
Ongoing monitoring of cumulative practice with HoD
props. You will be able to sign Indicative marks for the term provided for Assessment meeting
out these from the production Assessment and Feedback sheets given to students in End of Term
team using the specified forms. Tutorial by a member of the Acting department.
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify and use a coherent process based on the theories of Stanislavski to develop and sustain a
role.
2. Undertake in-depth background research and analysis
3. Break down text and identify subtext and intention in a way which supports both coherent
characterisation and the agreed interpretation
4. Identify themes and symbolism within text
5 Work supportively and interactively as a member of an ensemble
6 Create characters and stories, sustain on-stage relationships and respond naturally and without
self-censorship in the moment, in rehearsal and in performance
7 Use a range of movement qualities and vocal expression
8 Undertake relaxation and warm-up techniques
9 Evaluate own work and that of others
10 Work effectively and creatively as part of an ensemble/ team, negotiating and pursuing goals with
others, as well as working independently
Assessment Criteria
 Analyse texts, stories and the self to elicit meaningful information that can be used to develop a
character in rehearsal for practical performance
 Research, imagine and practically explore around a text, story and the self in ways that connect
and inform an actor’s process to develop a truthful acting performance
 Create and perform a believable character with the psychological and emotional truth appropriate
to the needs of a performance, improvised performance or rehearsal
 Identify and connect aspects of a personal and cumulative acting process as detailed above
 Use appropriate vocal and movement technique in the development and communication of
character
 Work effectively and professionally according to the requirements of the brief, the director/ tutor
and the ensemble
Assessment tasks and activities
Assessment is based on the effective completion of the rehearsal exercise outlined above together with
your contribution to the work of the group.
Connection and Integration (how this class connects to other classes within this teaching block, and how
it builds from and develops to other classes in the module and programme) (in discussion with HoD)
This class continues work on the fundamental elements of the acting process explored in the Scene Study
Class and Object Exercise Class. In addition you should make connections with the work learnt in the
Improvisation Class, research skills taught in Contextual Studies and begin to integrate work leant in Voice,
Movement and Singing Classes
Any other relevant information
You must work in appropriate garments, be prepared and demonstrate a professional level of
commitment at all times. If you do not arrive for the class ready to work you will be asked to leave.
PROJECTED WEEKLY FOCUS/ DEVELOPMENT OF WORK:
Week 1:
Introduction to the term’s work and content
Read through. Discussion. Research set.
Week 2:
Presentation of research projects (during Contextual Studies class).
(please note there will be no Scene Study class this week – to be made up in Week 6)
Week 3:
Casting/Scenes allocated. Uniting the text.
Week 4:
Character Biogs.
Week 5:
Rehearse scenes.
Week 6
Rehearse scenes. (this is a makeup class from Week 2)
Week 7
Rehearse scenes.
Week 8:
Rehearse scenes.
Week 9
Rehearse scenes.
Week 10
Rehearse. Sharing.
LECTURER SIGNATURE:
DATE:
HoD SIGNATURE:
DATE: