Theater and Dance 224 - Spoken Expression and Vocal Freedom

A beginning, intensive studio course in the development of voice for speaking, and learning techniques for enhanced spoken expression. Students develop range and tone through regular physical exercises in relaxation, breathing technique, placement, and presence. Individual attention focuses on helping each student develop the physical, mental, and emotional self-awareness needed for expressive vocal production. In parallel with developing voice technique, students learn to shape and speak text to powerful effect. Articulation, inflection, methods of contrast and interpretation, tone, verbal imaging, and aural structures of poetry and rhetoric are practiced in a supportive studio setting. Emphasis is placed on personal engagement and presence to others while speaking. Written reflection, readings, assignments in text scoring and memorization support class work. The course culminates in presentations of prepared texts. Practice is inspired by training for stage acting, but students with a primary interest in public speaking, teaching, or improved interpersonal communication will find this course valuable. This course has previously been offered in a two half-course format. Students who have taken THDA 225H are not eligible.  However, students who have completed only THDA 125H: The Craft of Speaking I, are encouraged to take this course. 

Four class meetings per week. Spring semester. Prof. Bashford.

How to handle overenrollment: THDA majors and students who have taken THDA 125H given priority. First year students and sophomores also given priority.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: This course requires excellent regular attendance and class participation, class discussion, reading, writing, and text scoring and memorization assignments. Class work is physical and highly participatory. Due to the increased class hours compared to other courses, homework workload is relatively moderate.