THEATRE 271: ACTING II

The Actor in YOU

University of North Dakota
Department of Theatre Arts
Fall 2014: Tu/Th 12:30 1:45

Instructor: G. Burgess
Office: Rm. 9, Chandler
Office PH: 777-2888
Dept. PH:
777-3446

e-mail: gaye.burgess@email.und.edu
Office hours: Tues/Thurs. 11-12:30
Course Description:
Now that you have had an introduction to acting through Theatre 161, you are
about to embark on a detailed journey to build very clear, specific skills
necessary to the craft of acting. We begin now on our true road to seriously work
from the ground up. I believe it takes a lifetime to become a great actor... well, 10
years anyway...to do the necessary work on yourself physically, vocally, and
emotionally; to understand the art and craft of acting and to be able to apply this
understanding to your work and your life. It is a daunting task but an exhilarating
one.
In Theatre 271, Introduction to The Meisner Technique, we will work on
strengthening the essential skills required of great acting. These include: being
led by our instinct rather than our head, living fully in the present, being
responsive to our partners in each and every moment, being the expression of
who we truly are rather than who we think we should be, or who others tell us
we should be. It is about expanding our imagination, bringing authentic and
deeply personal meaning to everything we do on stage. Remember acting is
doing. Acting is not talking about and it is not feeling about, it is doing
something that has personal meaning to you. We do not go on stage to
emote. To go on stage to emote is what we term indulgent acting! We go on
stage to accomplish something against all odds; we go on stage to fight for
what we know is true and right and necessary. There is no pretending in true
acting. That is what we call lying.
This course is about you. It is about bringing your FULL self to your work, not just
the side that you feel comfortable presenting to the world, but the private side, the
angry side, the silly side, the screaming for joy side, the frightened side, the

truthful side, the frustrated side. Who are you? What makes you unique? What
matters to you? What do you have strong opinions about? What makes you
laugh? What are your life experiences thus far? Trust me. Herein lies your
greatness.
It is ironic that this acting course requires NO ACTING PLEASE in order to meet
with success. It will most certainly challenge your idea of what great acting is.
You will become frustrated beyond belief at times. On the bright side, you have
everything you need to succeed right now. There is nothing you do not have.
You simply need to develop the courage to use yourself FULLY. Embrace
ALL of who you are the good, the bad, and the ugly. Therein lies the
source of all of your humanity and your wonderful gift to the rest of the world.
Students will work toward the following course objectives:
to develop greater self-awareness
to develop the ability to self-reflect
to learn to recognize personal qualities/characteristics that both help and
hinder your work as an actor
to develop your observation skills
to develop your sensitivity toward others and awareness of others
to release inhibitions that stifle the actor
to learn to re-embrace your childlike qualities, to play
to discover your simple truths (the way you automatically see people,
situations and the world) no more or less, to accept this and act on this
to relinquish how you should be/act, for who you really are.
to develop your imagination, creativity and spontaneity (the primary source
of your acting power)
to identify and act on impulse...what is happening RIGHT NOW and how
that affects you
to work with others in an open way
to honestly listen and take in
to work moment to moment accepting each moment as it unfolds (not
thinking ahead)
to relinquish control to others
to begin to understand what it means to personalize your acting.
Required Texts:

Camerson, Julia. The Artists Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, New
York, NY, Penguin Putnam Inc., 2002.
Silverberg, Larry. Meisner For Teens: A life of True Acting, Smith and Kraus,
2010.
Brestoff, Richard. The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, Lyme, NH,
Smith and Kraus, 1995.
Recommended Texts:
Silverberg, Larry. The 7 Simple Truths of Acting for the Teen Actor, Smith and
Kraus, 2006.
Silverberg, Larry. True Acting Tips, Limelight Editions, 2012.
Grading and Evaluation:
Evaluation in a performance class is subjective; that is the nature of the art.
Among other things, your dedication to the work, your attitude in class, your
ability to receive criticism and put it to use, and your growth as an actor will be
considered. You must be willing to take risks, to stretch your limits, to be
generous with your energy, to participate fully in the work at hand, to leap into the
unknown and to talk about your experience in the discussions that follow. These
things are far more important than result doing a great scene, or presentation,
or performance. As such, your grade is primarily focused on supporting your
growth, improvement, commitment, attendance, generosity and honesty of
spirit that is demonstrated on a daily basis.
Assessment is on a continuing basis and is, realistically, impossible to appeal. It
is highly recommended that any student who becomes concerned about his/her
progress, make an appointment to meet with the instructor as soon as possible.
Please note my office hours. I am always available and my door is always open
to listen and to help you in whatever way I can. You need not even have a
problem to drop by.
The work load in this course is extremely heavy. It is a very time-consuming
class and requires a deep sense of commitment and discipline on your part to do
the work. Whether you are a major or not, does not matter to me. The

expectations are the same for everyone. If you want deep change in your life
and acting, this is the course for you. It however, comes at a cost your time
and your effort. I guarantee that the more you put into this class, the more you
will get out of this class. If you are not willing to do this, I strongly encourage you
to drop this class now, as I realize for most non-majors this is not a required
course.
The two required texts and related assignments are done completely out of class
because Acting is DOING. Class will be primarily for DOING. In order for this
to happen, all reading, written homework and rehearsals must be done outside of
class. You will find yourself, excited, joyful, frustrated, overwhelmed, and
amazed at yourself, your peers and the course.
Students should plan to spend a minimum of 2 - 4 hours per week outside of
class time working on their acting skills with a partner, and practicing the
exercises taught in class. This is in addition to reading the required texts and
written homework.
I always feel it a privilege and an honor to be able to share this course with each
and every one of you. Thank you, in advance.
Class Participation/Attendance/Tardiness:
If classes are missed, there is no way you can make up certain elements of the
work by independent study. There will be no makeup assignments or extra credit
assignments given. Nothing will cover the gap in a course that is based on
experiential learning where lessons are developed so as to lead to more complex
problems and solutions at the next stage of development. As Mira Felner states:
Punctuality, attentiveness, and preparedness are all signs of respect for
the work. Coming late to acting class disrupts the atmosphere and may
cause you to miss the warm-up and lack the focus necessary to do the
days work. When you work with others, it is upsetting if a partner has not
studied the material or is consistently late for rehearsal. Antagonism and
anxiety engendered by an uncaring actor can stymie the creative process.
If your partners cannot count on you to be there, ready and committed, it is
impossible for them to trust you and feel safe and valued in the work.

Actors have a special obligation to be responsible to each other and their

work. Please do not take this responsibility lightly.
As class participation is critical, after 3 absences your grade will be dropped
one FULL grade for EACH absence beyond the 3 absences. Eg: If your final
grade in the class is a B, but you have missed 5 classes, your actual final grade
will be D.
Grading Breakdown:
Everyone begins with an A in this class. Whether or not you keep this
A is completely YOUR responsibility, not mine. I am responsible to teach
to the best of my ability and you are responsible to learn to the best of your
ability. If you have questions, ASK. I cannot teach to anyone who does not
want to learn.
Preparation and Participation...............................................
40%
(contributions to class, discipline, focus, commitment, willingness to
actively participate in all activities, preparation in meeting deadlines,
attendance & tardiness, respect for others and the work itself, positive
attitude, personal growth, daily practical and written exercises
/assignments and the ability to risk)
Methods Exam.
10%
Meisner Contract Work ........................................................
15%
Artists Way Work
15%
Final Performance .................................................
10%
Final Written Self Evaluation................................................
10%
Students will be required to see this semesters main stage productions:
Waiting for Godot (Sept.30-Oct 4) and Into The Woods (Nov. 13-15, & 20
22). If you are not a major you can sign up to usher and see the shows for free.
Majors automatically receive free tickets. If you are not in the show, you are
highly encouraged to get involved by signing up for crew work. There is nothing
like the experience of being involved in a production. Speak to Loren Liepold
(Technical Director) or Brad Reissig ( Set and Lighting Designer) if you wish to do
crew work.

Miscellaneous:
1. Please be prepared and warmed up, ready to begin class on time. Lateness
will not be tolerated. I have a CLOSED DOOR policy. If you are late, the class
has begun, and the door is closed, you are not allowed to disrupt class and enter.
You will be marked absent and this will count as one of your 3 excused
absences.
2. Students are asked to wear comfortable loose clothing that is nonrestrictive.
Street shoes are not allowed in the studio. Please leave them in the hall and plan
to bring another pair of shoes, or work in your bare feet.
3. Late assignments will not be accepted, unless you have spoken with the
instructor personally 2 days in advance of when it is due.
4. You may wish to bring bottled water to class.
5. Please respect the space and those who share the space with you. Clean up
after yourselves. Put things back after you use them.
6. Due to the nature of this class it is imperative and critical that you be here.
This is not the kind of class you can miss. If attendance appears to be a
problem, you will be advised to drop the class for your own good and the good of
the students that must work with you. Your presence is integral to your own
success and others success as well.
7. If it is necessary to miss a class, please contact my office at: (777-2888) or
the office administrator at: (777-3446).
8. Work in this class involves subject matter and/or activities that some students
will find controversial.
For example, exercises and projects will involve direct physical contact and in
order to allow for necessary artistic freedom, minimal restrictions are placed on
students (outside of this one cardinal rule: Never physically hurt or endanger
yourself or your partner. Religious, political and/or sexual themes along with
profane or offensive language will arise. This class will get personal. If this is a
concern to you, please speak to me immediately.
It is the nature of our craft: Things will be said to you both positive and negative,
in exercises by other students. You must learn to take them personally, although
they are never meant personally. Politeness works in life and is, in fact, a
necessity, but it is often the enemy of great acting.
Note: If you need accommodations in this course because of a disability, if you
have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an

appointment with me as soon as possible. If you plan to request disability

accommodations, your are expected to register with Disability Services for
Students, 190 McCannel Hall, 701-777-3425.