Open Forum

So this year I'm running a 1/2-year acting elective that spends a chunk of time studying different acting methods/techniques more in depth.  (Students who take this class have already taken a general acting class where they learned basic script analysis (given circumstances, general character development, actioning/objectives/subtext), general vocal and movement ideas, and presented contemporary monologues and scenes.)  Many students who take this class are or are considering studying acting/theatre in college.

My question is this:  If you had time for 3-4 units, what methods/techniques would you choose to focus on, and what text(s)/resource(s) would you use?


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Jessica Satryan
Philadelphia PA
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I usually give my students a foundation in Hagen, Stanislovski, Meisner, and Chekov in my Theatre II and III classes. Adler is added in later during the advanced class (and my own variation on a combination of movement and Veiwpoints). This way by the time they are in the advanced class they are able to focus their work on one or two techniques that personally work for them. I have a variety of resources I use, Unfortunately all of my resources are in  my classroom. I'd be happy to send you a list after I get back. I'll be in London training at the Globe for a few weeks but will be back in my classroom in August. Shoot an email to me and I'll send you what I have. I also have some info that I can send as attachments you might be able to use.

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2014 12:15
From: Jessica Satryan
Subject: Help with Acting Elective

So this year I'm running a 1/2-year acting elective that spends a chunk of time studying different acting methods/techniques more in depth.  (Students who take this class have already taken a general acting class where they learned basic script analysis (given circumstances, general character development, actioning/objectives/subtext), general vocal and movement ideas, and presented contemporary monologues and scenes.)  Many students who take this class are or are considering studying acting/theatre in college.

My question is this:  If you had time for 3-4 units, what methods/techniques would you choose to focus on, and what text(s)/resource(s) would you use?


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Jessica Satryan
Philadelphia PA
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I would also love to see what techniques and resources you you to teach these different methods/styles. I'm always looking to improve this part of my advanced classes. I feel this is where I normally fall short. If you don't mind sharing them with me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks so much! ------------------------------------------- Heidi Frederic St. Amant High School St. Amant LA -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 06-28-2014 16:13 From: Shira Schwartz Subject: Help with Acting Elective I usually give my students a foundation in Hagen, Stanislovski, Meisner, and Chekov in my Theatre II and III classes. Adler is added in later during the advanced class (and my own variation on a combination of movement and Veiwpoints). This way by the time they are in the advanced class they are able to focus their work on one or two techniques that personally work for them. I have a variety of resources I use, Unfortunately all of my resources are in my classroom. I'd be happy to send you a list after I get back. I'll be in London training at the Globe for a few weeks but will be back in my classroom in August. Shoot an email to me and I'll send you what I have. I also have some info that I can send as attachments you might be able to use. ------------------------------------------- Shira Schwartz Chandler Unified School District Chandler AZ -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 06-28-2014 12:15 From: Jessica Satryan Subject: Help with Acting Elective So this year I'm running a 1/2-year acting elective that spends a chunk of time studying different acting methods/techniques more in depth. (Students who take this class have already taken a general acting class where they learned basic script analysis (given circumstances, general character development, actioning/objectives/subtext), general vocal and movement ideas, and presented contemporary monologues and scenes.) Many students who take this class are or are considering studying acting/theatre in college. My question is this: If you had time for 3-4 units, what methods/techniques would you choose to focus on, and what text(s)/resource(s) would you use? ------------------------------------------- Jessica Satryan Philadelphia PA -------------------------------------------

I've just commented on something similar for a different topic, but along with the Realism focus, my classes in America have looked at Commedia and the clowning work based in the work of LeCoq, amongst others (this is the Introductory level); in Intermediate, we look at a Canonical text (Macbeth) and examine the acting style and staging choices used at the time, then film the scenes from various angles and have them explore how to reimagine the ideas and concepts through the new medium of film. We also explore Social Justice theatre and in that, we have approached the work of Tadashi Suzuki, Augusto Boal, Dario Fo and Bertolt Brecht. 

When I taught overseas, I was fortunate to be in what I consider the most progressive and comprehensive secondary theatre pedagogy in the world: the people who teach, write curriculum, assess and work in this field are amazing in their continued and proactive exploration of theatre for Stages 4 through 6 (grades 7 through 12) and actually, K - 6. Look up the syllabi on their Department of Education websites and you'll see what I mean, because frankly, there is far more listed than I could talk about here.  Suffice to say: I brought much of it with me when I returned to the US four years ago and continue to learn from my colleagues there and elsewhere. 

Good luck!

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Lori Constable
Teacher; director of Drama
Independent District 112
Chanhassen MN
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2014 12:40
From: Heidi Frederic
Subject: Help with Acting Elective

I would also love to see what techniques and resources you you to teach these different methods/styles. I'm always looking to improve this part of my advanced classes. I feel this is where I normally fall short. If you don't mind sharing them with me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks so much!

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Heidi Frederic
St. Amant High School
St. Amant LA
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All of the sources mentioned by Ms. Schwartz and Ms Hart are used in our program. But, being a art school with admission by audition and holding classes 3 to 4 hours a day, 5 days a week for for years, the time dedicated to each very different. I have attached a method I use to introduce the foundations of Hagen and Chekhov, plus Boleslavsky and Mamet. Which is as school break reading assignments with papers due. When then discuss in a group setting (each students must contribute) and end (or start) by coming to a group discussion as to what exercises they would like to from the readings. I have attached worksheets and rubrics if they help.

I hope Ms. Schwartz has a great instructive time at the Globe Theatre. It's a great program.

 

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Phillip Rayher
Director, Theatre Dept.
Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts
San Francisco CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2014 12:40
From: Heidi Frederic
Subject: Help with Acting Elective

I would also love to see what techniques and resources you you to teach these different methods/styles. I'm always looking to improve this part of my advanced classes. I feel this is where I normally fall short. If you don't mind sharing them with me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks so much!

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Heidi Frederic
St. Amant High School
St. Amant LA
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I run a similar elective.  I cover major theorists of the 20th century - with special attention (and some exercises) on Chekhov, Adler, and meisner.  I also discuss with them Strasberg, Grotowski, Meyerhold, and of course, Stanislavski.  My main focus on the history and technique part is to introduce them to the idea that there are many ways to approach acting.  I want them to understand that all modern thaory started with Stanislavski - but that even he kept evolving (we go over the vast difference between his System at the start and where he ended with Method of Physical Actions).  They do two scenes, one contemporary and one Shakespeare.  I assign HW from different methods (a Bio (Adler), Psychological Gesture (Chekhov), etc.) It seems to work well.

Jeff Davis

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2014 12:15
From: Jessica Satryan
Subject: Help with Acting Elective

So this year I'm running a 1/2-year acting elective that spends a chunk of time studying different acting methods/techniques more in depth.  (Students who take this class have already taken a general acting class where they learned basic script analysis (given circumstances, general character development, actioning/objectives/subtext), general vocal and movement ideas, and presented contemporary monologues and scenes.)  Many students who take this class are or are considering studying acting/theatre in college.

My question is this:  If you had time for 3-4 units, what methods/techniques would you choose to focus on, and what text(s)/resource(s) would you use?


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Jessica Satryan
Philadelphia PA
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I think acting techniques valuable to a high school student about to move into college theatre would include Augusto Boal, Anne Bogart's Viewpoints, Meisner & Laban.  


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Judy Hart
Lincoln NE
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Stanislavski
Meisner (any of the Larry Silverberg books, esp for teens)
Viewpoints- Ann Bogart
Uta Hagen- Respect for Acting ( hand in hand w/ Stanislavski)
Jon Jory- Acting TIPS 1 & 2

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Scott Keys
Sarasota FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2014 12:15
From: Jessica Satryan
Subject: Help with Acting Elective

So this year I'm running a 1/2-year acting elective that spends a chunk of time studying different acting methods/techniques more in depth.  (Students who take this class have already taken a general acting class where they learned basic script analysis (given circumstances, general character development, actioning/objectives/subtext), general vocal and movement ideas, and presented contemporary monologues and scenes.)  Many students who take this class are or are considering studying acting/theatre in college.

My question is this:  If you had time for 3-4 units, what methods/techniques would you choose to focus on, and what text(s)/resource(s) would you use?


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Jessica Satryan
Philadelphia PA
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Two texts I was introduced to in college that I continue to use in my own craft as well as with high school students I mentor are:

Backwards and Forwards by David Ball
Audition by Michael Shurtleff

Both texts introduce good (slightly more advanced) information and are easy reads. 
I highly recommend them! 

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Chelsey Cavender
Membership Service Specialist
Educational Theatre Association
Hamilton OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2014 08:35
From: Scott Keys
Subject: Help with Acting Elective


Stanislavski
Meisner (any of the Larry Silverberg books, esp for teens)
Viewpoints- Ann Bogart
Uta Hagen- Respect for Acting ( hand in hand w/ Stanislavski)
Jon Jory- Acting TIPS 1 & 2

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Scott Keys
Sarasota FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2014 12:15
From: Jessica Satryan
Subject: Help with Acting Elective

So this year I'm running a 1/2-year acting elective that spends a chunk of time studying different acting methods/techniques more in depth.  (Students who take this class have already taken a general acting class where they learned basic script analysis (given circumstances, general character development, actioning/objectives/subtext), general vocal and movement ideas, and presented contemporary monologues and scenes.)  Many students who take this class are or are considering studying acting/theatre in college.

My question is this:  If you had time for 3-4 units, what methods/techniques would you choose to focus on, and what text(s)/resource(s) would you use?


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Jessica Satryan
Philadelphia PA
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