Acting

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.

Credits: 3

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.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT1010

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.

Credits: 2

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.

Credits: 2

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT1160

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.

Credits: 2

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT1210

A study of Aristotle’s Poetics, plus an in-depth analysis of dramatic structures (form, theme, style, genre, and characterization) as applied to selected plays and films.

Credits: 4

Teaches the actor how to actualize essential information and awareness through exercises that explore relaxation, breathing, muscular stretching, and alignment work. The practice of kinesthetic sense development and spatial relationships, along with awareness of body language and the sharpening of the senses, helps support the development of other skills (e.g., voice, speech, alternate movement styles).

Credits: 2

Teaches the actor how to actualize essential information and awareness through exercises that explore relaxation, breathing, muscular stretching, and alignment work. The practice of kinesthetic sense development and spatial relationships, along with awareness of body language and the sharpening of the senses, helps support the development of other skills (e.g., voice, speech, alternate movement styles).

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT1310

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.

Credits: 1

Actors learn the art and language of images, imagination, physical creativity, and physical comedy. Such techniques as neutral and character mask work, improvisation, and storytelling free the actors’ bodies of excessive thinking while strengthening and honing their imagination, allowing them to create potent performances and deep character work.

Credits: 1

An intensive workshop focused on building an understanding of the techniques and applications of improvisatory practice.

Credits: 1

A continuation and extension of first-year work, with particular emphasis on characterization, text analysis, and techniques of various stylistic demands.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT1020

A continuation and extension of first-year work, with particular emphasis on characterization, text analysis, and techniques of various stylistic demands. Leads to performance in a full stage production.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT2010

A study of the history of world theatres from their origins through the present.

Credits: 4

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT1170

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT2160

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT1220

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT2210

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT1320

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT2310

In the second semester of this pedagogy, actors continue to deepen their experience with the first semester’s work, moving from exploring new freedom and power into intentional direction, specificity, and control. Actors learn how to use form, image, and technique to create and perform from pure inspiration.

Credits: 1

PREREQ: ACT1410

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.

Credits: 1

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.

Credits: 1

PREREQ: ACT2610

Rehearsal and added performance of selected plays produced before the public.

Credits: 1

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.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT2020

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.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT3010

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT2170

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT3160

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT2220

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT3210

Third-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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT2320

Third-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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT3310

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.

Credits: 1

PREREQ: ACT1355

Continued exploration of improvisatory technique for advanced acting students.

Credits: 1

PREREQ: ACT1670

Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This three-course sequence (ACT 3700, 3710, and 3720) is required of all acting majors in their junior year. It covers separate conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT2700

Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This three-course sequence (ACT 3700, 3710, and 3720) is required of all acting majors in their junior year. It covers separate conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT2700

Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This three-course sequence (ACT 3700, 3710, and 3720) is required of all acting majors in their junior year. It covers separate conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT2700

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.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT3020

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.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT4010

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT3220 And ACT3170

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.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT4250

The culmination of all previous movement classes, plus an introduction of basic yoga techniques that include meditation and the ability to focus.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT3320

The culmination of all previous movement classes, plus an introduction of basic yoga techniques that include meditation and the ability to focus.

Credits: 2

PREREQ: ACT4310

Students continue the application of tools developed in Acting for Camera 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. Students view footage from rough-cuts, features, television, actor’s reels, and audition tapes.

Credits: 1

PREREQ: ACT4450

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.

Credits: 1

PREREQ: ACT3020

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.

Credits: 1

Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This four-course sequence (ACT 4700, 4710, 4720, and 4730) is required of all acting majors in their senior year. It covers separate conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT3720

Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This four-course sequence (ACT 4700, 4710, 4720, and 4730) is required of all acting majors in their senior year. It covers separate conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT3720

Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This four-course sequence (ACT 4700, 4710, 4720, and 4730) is required of all acting majors in their senior year. It covers separate conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT3720 Or TAC3720

Rehearsal and performance of selected plays produced before the public. This four-course sequence (ACT 4700, 4710, 4720, and 4730) is required of all acting majors in their senior year. It covers separate conservatory productions, which are presented across a two-semester period.

Credits: 3

PREREQ: ACT3720