100

The purpose of acting is to portray honest behavior under imaginary circumstances. This class will introduce students to a practical, on your feet approach to acting using script analysis, improvisation, and acting techniques grounded primarily in the concepts of Objective/Tactic and Given Circumstances. Ultimately the goal of all acting is to combine the precision of preparation with the spontaneity of improvisation. The class culminates in a showcase performance combining scenes, monologues, and improvisation.

This class will introduce students to the basic skills of theatrical improvisation: Listening, Accept & Add (Yes, And), and Immediacy. As the semester continues we will add more advanced skills, including Characterization, Objectives, Game, and Heightening. These skills will be applied to both short form improv scenes and long form improv formats, which are typically designed to more closely resemble traditional scripted theatre. In addition, students will watch online improv sets, and then comment upon and critique those sets. The class will also include two showcase performances.