Thunderous - Hagen Wrap Up 11/18

I'd like each one of you to write down which three Hagen exercises you used for your scene. You don't have to go into detail about how you did the exercise - just a brief description.

Where I WOULD like you to go into detail is in discussing:
1. How you anticipated or thought each exercise would affect your scene/work; and
2. How each exercise actually DID affect your scene/work.

Last but not least, reflect upon your performance and whether or not you were able to be truthful under imaginary circumstances during the performance (not during rehearsals). If so, try to describe what that means to you and how it felt. If not, what do you think made it difficult to do so?

Thanks for your hard work and for performing in front of Drama I. I can't wait to see how these scenes look after the Meisner unit!

THUNDEROUS - Fourth Wall

1. Provide some thoughtful reflection on how this exercise might be useful to you in future performances. Do you have trouble with audience awareness? Explore a time (or times) in performance when the audience intruded into your work - and remember, that includes anytime you were not in the moment, i.e., you started worrying about whether you were doing something right, what your line was, etc. How would regularly using this exercise help?


2. Going beyond the issues of audience awareness, what are some reasons to use this exercise anyway? What other possible skills might it develop?

RESPONSES DUE BY 9 A.M., SATURDAY 10/22.

DRAMA I - Tues, 10/18 - Sensory Improv Exercises

Now that you've spent some time developing your sensory abilities on stage, I'd like you to discuss how each of the following exercises will help you when you improvise a scene (Yes - discuss all six exercises!):
1. Mirror exercise;
2. Taste and smell;
3. Three changes;
4. Tug of war;
5. Ball; and
6. Conversation with involvement.

Be sure to describe and explore what you did in each exercise that really helped you develop helpful skills, as well as anything you discovered that maybe surprised you or confused you. If you had trouble with any of these exercises, discuss that as well. You can also explore how these exercises might relate to the rules of improv that you were given.

REMEMBER: The depth of your reflection is more important than thinking about what answer I'm looking for - there is no "right" answer!

ANSWERS DUE BY SATURDAY, 10/22, 9 A.M.

DRAMA I - Tues, 10/4

Now that you have created a character out of thin air, and subsequently written a scenario involving that character, discuss the following (please number each answer!):

1. What part did you find most challenging about creating the character?

2. How did your group negotiate and compromise on different character traits?

3. With respect to your script, do you think you were able to reveal your character's personality without being too obvious (think about our discussion in class regarding the deep voice/self-conscious character)? Describe two specific ways in which you did, or ways that you could have improved your script to do so.

4. Was it difficult to form a coherent script with characters that had so many "quirks"? Explain why or why not, and how you would shape your character differently if you were to do this again.

Thunderous Applause: Essential Acting Quotes

Choose one of the following quotes and tell me how you think it applies to the work we are doing with Uta Hagen. Think of this as a mini-essay: give me a thesis statement with your opinion, and two (or more)  sentences of support explaning why you believe what you do.

1. "For most actors, success is achieved through study, struggle, preparation, infinite trial and error, training, discipline, experience and work!" - Robert Cohen

2.  “With any part you play, there is a certain amount of yourself in it. There has to be, otherwise it's just not acting. It's lying.” - Johnny Depp

3. “Growth as an actor and as a human being are synonymous” - Stella Adler

Quotes courtesy of Actor's Realm/Volcanic Theatre (http://www.actorsrealm.com/index.php?p=1_24_Essential-Quotes)

Drama I - Friday 9/16 Ensemble Journal

Of the four activities we did today (Birthday Line Up, Story Mirror, Interview, and Two Minute Movie), which activity helped your group really work together? In other words, which activity do you think helped bring group members together so that they worked to achieve a common goal without anyone dominating the activity? Be sure to say WHY you think this activity was the best at creating an ensemble dynamic!

Your answer should be at least 100 words - be thoughtful and SPECIFIC - vagueness is the enemy of art!

Thunderous - Hagen Work

First: sorry not to clarify exactly what I wanted from you today/tonight. Please read the introduction and chapter 11, and prepare your basic object exercises - bringing two minutes of your life to the stage and making them look like they are happening for the first time. Hagen specifies precision and actual physical rehearsal - we can spend time on that in class, but the written history you should work on tonight (answering the Basic Object Exercise questions). I am very excited to work with you tomorrow!!

To read more about Uta Hagen, I encourage you to do some web research. You might also look up Sanford Meisner, Stainslavski, and The Actor's Studio. All will give you an idea of where we're heading for our acting intensive.

After reading and beginning work on Uta Hagen's Basic Object Exercises, predict whether you think you will benefit from this type of work, and how/why.

If you don't think it will be helpful, why not? What are some of the techniques you've successfully used to build character and authenticity?

Give me substance and honest answers!

Drama I - Ensemble Work

Drama I students should reflect on the following questions and post an answer to each one that is at least 100 words (total, not per question) - if you have ten (10) words per sentence, you do the math . . . Please think for yourself and do not parrot anything others have said!

What can you learn from working in an ensemble? Why is it important to learn to work as a team - not just in theatre but elsewhere?

REMEMBER: FIRST NAME, LAST INITIAL ONLY!!

Welcome to the Drama Class Blog!

We will be using this space primarily for journal assignments, but also to keep in contact with respect to assignments and department activities. Just like the classroom, this blog is a safe space for us to think, grow, make mistakes, and learn from them.

First off, please remember that you will need to maintain a SAFE environment here. This is a public site - don't use your full name or any contact information that could compromise your safety. And keep all comments appropriate. Don't write anything you wouldn't want your grandmother to read, and don't say anything about anyone you wouldn't want said about yourself.

For those of you who are in Drama I, I'm extremely excited that you made the choice to take a theatre class. You will be exposed to a great deal of history and knowledge about the theatre, and you will learn to use critical thinking skills in analyzing and evaluating theatre and its technical aspects. You will explore your identity and learn how to be honest and truthful on stage.

For the Applause students, welcome back - I look forward to learning more about your prior course of study and what areas you'd like to concentrate on this semester. We will likely focus on an acting intensive that uses Meisner and Hagan exercises, but if there is an overwhelming desire to work on ensemble work or tech or directing or whatever, we can adjust. Also, I will be looking to you for help in making the transition as smooth as possible, especially with respect to the extracurricular elements of drama.

And to everyone: Drama classes are a place where we get to explore what art is, what it means to be human, and how we can participate in the world. It is a place where you will learn skills that will apply to your life no matter what you do. It is a place where we will engage in mature discussions about material that may not appeal to everyone. Please be prepared for that - if certain topics make you uncomfortable and you don't wish to explore them, you should discuss this with me as soon as possible.

Drama classes are also a lot of fun, and I'm sure there are many people who signed up for that reason. And we can keep it that way PROVIDED that you are willing to put in the hard work that this art requires. If I have to constantly remind students to listen respectfully to others, or if we are unable to move forward because students aren't working, I will get very cranky. And that is not fun for anyone.

Many concepts in theatre and acting are simple, but that doesn't make them easy. You will have homework in this class, above and beyond memorizing lines. You will write papers in/for this class. And you will have tests. So please, if you aren't interested in doing the work, find a different elective. It is a very sad thing to fail a student in drama.

Please reply to this post by stating one thing about drama class that you're excited for, and one thing that you are nervous about.