Interdisciplinary Arts 0125 - Acting and Presence

What is presence on stage? And how does an actor manifest it? This course examines the work of the actor through a hands-on, experiential approach, focusing on the body, voice, and imagination. The course begins with an exploration of the body, and how one's physical form can be both a text and a jumping off point to create visual poetry on stage. We will then move to naturalistic scenes as a way to develop tools of text analysis, character development, and receiving and sending action. Essential to all our exploration is the principle that dynamic life on stage is found not within oneself but in relationship to scene partners, an ensemble, and the audience.

Arts, Design, and Media Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes rehearsing, reading, writing, and attending productions.