Acting | Academic Requirements | Courses | Faculty

The Acting B.F.A. Program: Courses

Note: In the two-semester course sequences offered every year, successful completion of the fall course is a prerequisite for the spring course. For example, TAC 1010/Acting I (part one, fall) is a prerequisite for TAC 1020/Acting I (part two, spring).

TAC 1000–1999:

Acting I
TAC 1010 and 1020 / 5 credits (per semester) / Every year
Development of the basic acting instrument through exercises that promote relaxation, sensory awareness, expressiveness, logical stage behavior, and creative interaction with fellow performers. Beginning character and scene work emphasize various intellectual and instinctive approaches, such as script analysis and improvisation.

Design/Technical Practicum
TDT 1010 Refer to Theatre Design/Technology B.F.A. Courses for description.

Script Analysis
TAC 1030 and 1040 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
In-depth analysis of selected dramatic texts to identify elements of structure, character, and language and to understand their function in creating the dynamics of dramatic action. Explores the active purposes of analytic terminology for the actor to gain awareness of action as a basic creative process for theatre. Selected plays are used.

Acting Workshop for Film and Design/Technology
TAC 1050.11 and 1060.11 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
Introduction to the problems, processes, and techniques of the actor. Exercises deal with the focus of attention, use of objects, improvisations and beginning scenes, textual analysis to perceive acting problems, practice in communication, personal involvement, and selecting and accomplishing stage tasks. Limited to freshman film majors and sophomore design/technology majors.

Dramatic Structure
THC 1050 Refer to Theatre History/Critical Studies Courses for description.

Fundamentals of Acting
TAC 1055 / 3 credits / Every semester
Students work on basic acting skills, e.g., developing the ability to produce free, imaginative, and purposeful behavior in relation to environments, objects, and other persons; individual silent exercises; and group exercises. This work leads to in-class performances of selected scenes from a variety of American contemporary plays, with special focus on the sensory requirements in the text. No previous experience required.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Speech I
TAC 1160 and 1170 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
An enlightening approach to learning the sounds of Standard American speech for clear articulation, without emphasis on “correct” speech. Students become fluent in their use of the International Phonetic Alphabet, as a means of “training the ear” in preparation for dialects.

Voice I
TAC 1210 and 1220 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
Basic work on freeing the actor’s natural voice. Alignment, relaxation, breathing, production of vibration, and exercises in recognizing habits and beginning to free the voice from physical and psychological tension. Exploration of vocal expression and emotion. Fundamentals of voice/text work.

Stage Movement I
TAC 1310 and 1320 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
An introduction to modern dance technique, emphasizing kinesthetic and anatomical awareness of the body. Concepts include strength emulating from the center, skeletal alignment, mobility in the torso, turn out, use of breath, connection to the floor, gravity, dynamic quality, musicality, and the body’s relationship to the proscenium space and to other performers. Includes exercises to warm up the body and develop muscle tone, agility, and fluidity of movement.

Lecoq I
TAC 1350 and 1360 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
First-year study focuses on preparing actors’ bodies for the physical demands of playing a character. The neutral mask is central in the first semester, helping each performer to identify physical habits and gain a basic presence in the space. Movement analysis and theatre games are used to help free the actors, put them in their bodies, and develop the ability to physically respond to their environment.

Stage Combat I
TAC 1355 and 1365 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Beginning with basic, unarmed stage combat, students are drilled in use of the sword. An emphasis on fencing with foil épée and saber helps students attain better coordination and focus, as well as the practical applications thereof. In the latter part of the class, which is dedicated to the quarterstaff and its use, students explore this weapon through exercises and choreography.

Physical Dynamics I
TAC 1380 and 1385 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
An introduction to the basic principles of the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method. To develop easy, flexible use of the body, emphasis is placed on observing unconscious habits that interfere with balanced, natural movement; experiencing healthy, functional movement and incorporating it into daily life; clarifying basic movement through two- and three-dimensional anatomical images; and studying issues of support, flexibility, and whole-body organization.

Sensory Actualization I
TAC 1430 and 1435 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Introduces the work of “sensory actualization.” It is a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual experience, requiring awareness of ongoing objectives, intentions, and action in every way. Every class involves developmental movement, movement improvisation, and breathing exercises, all guided toward congruence of total mind, body, and spirit.

TAC 2000–2999:

Acting II
TAC 2010 / 5 credits / Fall
A continuation and extension of first-year work, with particular emphasis on characterization, text analysis, and techniques of various stylistic demands.
Prerequisite: TAC 1020

History of the Theatre
THC 2010 Refer to Theatre History/Critical Studies Courses for description.

Acting II (Part Two)
TAC 2020 / 6 credits / Spring
A continuation of TAC 2010, leading to performance in a full stage production.
Prerequisite: TAC 2010

Speech II
TAC 2160 and 2170 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
A progression of first-year work, brought to classical texts with strong emphasis on Shakespeare. Includes awareness of the devices of language and poetry necessary for speaking verse. Continued use of the International Phonetic Alphabet, followed by beginning dialect work.
Prerequisite: TAC 1170

Voice II
TAC 2210 and 2220 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
Continued work on freeing the actor’s natural voice, developing a voice in contact with emotional impulse, and strengthening this connection. Work on extending the voice.
Prerequisite: TAC 1220

Stage Movement II
TAC 2310 and 2320 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
Second-year, intermediate-level modern dance technique. Students are given combinations that are lengthier, with more intricate floor patterns and spatial relationships between dancers, gesture articulation at a more advanced level, richer musical and dynamic choices, a deeper vocabulary of movement, and an introduction to partnering techniques.
Prerequisite: TAC 1320

Lecoq II
TAC 2345 and 2360 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
The second year of Lecoq introduces a physical approach to character and the idea of actor as creator. This involves the development of two archetypes and the student-created scenario in which they are played. In addition to gaining solid tools for the creation of character, from the outside in, students begin to learn how to construct theatrical play (the relationship between character, space, and event). In the spring, students are introduced to full-faced character mask. Professional and student-made masks are used in the creation of student-devised original scenes, which are presented at the end of the spring semester.
Prerequisite: TAC 1360

Stage Combat II
TAC 2355 / 1 credit / Fall
Covers the rapier and dagger, traditional weapons of Shakespeare’s day, and the broadsword, a classic medieval weapon. Rapier and dagger training picks up from single sword technique, with the second weapon added to the nondominant hand. Students practice this double-fence style until they can use both weapons with facility. Broadsword basics include rudimentary footwork and guards of the weapon, cut and parry drills, and exploration of styles and choreography.
Prerequisite: TAC 1365

Physical Dynamics II
TAC 2380 and 2385 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
In this continuation of first-year work, students begin using the Alexander Technique to allow the breath to occur without interference. Using the Feldenkrais Method, students continue refining access to functional movement and explore how different body attitudes and movement patterns relate to character, personality, and emotional states. The class learns how to use “focusing” when reactions limit the ability to express particular character traits or emotions, and practices identifying restrictive movement patterns that accompany these reactions.
Prerequisite: TAC 1385

Directors’ Scene Workshop
TAC 2450 and 2460 / 2 credits (per semester) / Every year
An introduction to directing actors in theatre scenes. Film majors direct sophomore acting majors in scenes under the guidance of film and theatre arts faculty. In the spring semester, the focus is on transferring the stage work to film/video.

Stage Makeup
TAC 2610 and 2620 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Makeup begins with basic corrective work on the student’s own facial structure and progresses to characterization work with hair, putty, and beards, aiming throughout to learn the makeup requirements of the major style periods and specialties like fantasy characters, animals, and clowns.

Singing for the Actor
TAC 2650 / 1 credit / Fall
Simple techniques are used to make music, including the basics of reading music notation, less mysterious.

TAC 3000–3999:

Acting III
TAC 3010 and 3020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
Acting techniques applied to more complex dramatic forms, including genres in which language and characterization are particularly demanding. Theatre periods and special authors for whom style skills are developed may include some or all of the following: Greek, Elizabethan, Restoration, Molière.
Prerequisite: TAC 2020

Acting Scene Study
TAC 3070 / 3 credits / Spring
A continuation and extension of first-year work, with particular emphasis on Shakespeare, characterization, text analysis, and techniques of various stylistic demands. Intended for and normally limited to drama studies majors.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Speech III
TAC 3160 and 3170 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
After the first two years of study, students are able to speak in a standard contemporary American accent and to meet the additional demands of classic texts. In the third year, actors use their newfound skills to learn various American and international dialects. The spring semester includes more advanced work on dialects.
Prerequisite: TAC 2170

Voice III
TAC 3210 and 3220 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Developing the actor’s natural voice. Emphasis is on developing vocal strength, range, variety, texture, coloration, and the connection with thought and feeling. Sound and movement exercises enlarge the voice and develop vocal stamina and sensitivity through detailed work on contemporary and classical texts.
Prerequisite: TAC 2220

Lecoq III
TAC 3345 and 3360 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
The third year of Lecoq focuses on high-performance techniques, with focus on commedia dell’arte in the fall and clown in the spring. Both genres explore comical acting and require a synthesis of the Lecoq I and II training in the students’ ability to play at an extremely heightened level and create professional, self-devised theatre. There is a presentation at the end of each semester.
Prerequisite: TAC 2360

Period Movement I
TAC 3350 and 3355 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
The fundamentals of period movement from Egyptian dance through contemporary absurdism. Other topics covered include Greek mask work, Renaissance dance, Restoration deportment, farce, physical metaphor, and object manipulation. Students explore these forms through movement, vocal, and characterization techniques, including viewpoints, Laban, isolation, and traditional dance. Designed to give the actor a deeper insight into physical characterization as well as work in period plays.
Prerequisite: TAC 2320

Physical Dynamics III
TAC 3380 / 1 credit / Fall
In this exploration of the freedom of Alexander’s “primary control,” actors become conscious of the difference between their habits and those of the character through one-on-one work. Students learn how to make conscious character choices, both physically and vocally, and continue refining their ability to observe nonverbal communication. Attention to “energy/shaping” is also used to explore the relationship between language and physical action.
Prerequisite: TAC 2385

Rehearsal and Performance I
TAC 3700, 3710, 3720 / 6 credits (per semester) / Every year
TAC 3730 / 5 credits / Spring
Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This four-course sequence is required of all acting majors in their junior year. It covers four separate Conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period. TAC 3700 and 3710 are offered in the fall; TAC 3720 and 3730 are offered in the spring.
Prerequisite: TAC 2020

TAC 4000–4999:

Acting IV
TAC 4010 and 4020 / 3 credits (per semester) / Every year
Advanced acting, which may include one or more areas of special studies, like in-depth work on a role, audition techniques, or preparation for rehearsal. Career development is emphasized.
Prerequisite: TAC 3020

Voice and Speech IV
TAC 4250 and 4255 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
Every actor has a unique vocal instrument. This course focuses on methods used to develop the speaking voice and integrate it with good speech while staying true to one’s self. Emphasis is placed on deepening the connection between voice, body, and mind through exercises, warmups, and focused work on both classical and contemporary texts.
Prerequisite: TAC 3220

Movement IV
TAC 4310 and 4320 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
These movement courses continue the work of the previous three years and focus on jazz and “Broadway” dance movement.
Prerequisite: TAC 3355

Special Topics in Movement
TAC 4350 and 4360 / 1 credit (per semester) / Every year
An exploration of various techniques, methods, and forms, including Argentine groundwork, African dance, Suzuki, Renaissance dance, Restoration deportment, and Bunraku puppetry, that help when developing character and devising work. The progression starts from an earth-based center and evolves from the floor to heightened, lifted forms. This progression ultimately gives the actor several tools to help develop a stronger connection to the body and voice, encouraging creative and bold alternatives. In the spring, actors use the forms explored in previous semesters to create a one-person show. Open to drama studies majors with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: TAC 3355

Physical Dynamics IV
TAC 4380 / 1 credit / Spring
Control of functional movement and movement dynamics continue to be refined. Actors explore the organizing features of movement that are influenced by culture, the movement characteristics of America’s multicultural society, and how patterns of body use contribute to styles of interaction and social organization. Through focusing and attending to energy/shaping, actors learn to access, recognize, and move from their creative edge.
Prerequisite: TAC 3380

Advanced Shakespeare Workshop
DRA 4450 Refer to Drama Studies Courses (School of Humanities) for description.

The Business of Acting
TAC 4500 / 1 credit / Spring
Prepares students to make the transition into the professional acting world. Topics include how to attract and keep an agent, headshot and résumé requirements, auditioning, making and using a business plan, writing cover letters, unions, contracts, and marketing techniques. Sessions with a New York casting director are included.
Prerequisite: TAC 3020

Acting for Camera
TAC 4550 / 1 credit / Fall
Students apply the tools and vocabularies developed in studio work to acting in front of the camera. The physical freedoms and limitations of particular shots, from handheld to extreme close-up, are examined. The professional audition is replicated, and techniques for working on location are developed. Throughout the course, students view footage from features and rough cuts, independent films, television, actor’s reels, and audition tapes.

Rehearsal and Performance II
TAC 4700, 4710, 4720 / 5 credits (per semester) / Every year
Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This three-course sequence is required of all acting majors in their senior year. It covers three separate Conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period. TAC 4700 is offered in the fall; TAC 4710 and 4720 are offered in the spring.
Prerequisite: TAC 3720

Updated July 31, 2008 (using the 2008–2010 College Catalog final text)