Theater 216, Voice for the Actor Winter 2008 SyllabusMW 1-2:30 p.m. Location: Ruth Day Theater, Potter Center Instructor: Erin Wetzel-RighettiniEmail: [email protected] A. Course Objectives:1. To learn breathing and relaxation techniques designed to support and free the student’svoice;2. To enhance all aspects of vocal production: articulation, projection, and vocal quality/resonance through intensive exercise work and readings in the text;3. To provide opportunities for the student to practice vocal techniques in class.4. To increase the student’s awareness of the use and care of the human voice and to encourage healthy vocal practices.5. To introduce the student to a variety of techniques from several modalities of voice work including Berry, Lessac, Rodenburg, and others.B. Required Reading:Berry, Cicely. Voice and the Actor. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1973.C. Assignments:1. This class will be run in “studio” fashion and will include extensive exercise work in each aspect of vocal production, as well as assigned individual and group readings;2. There will be memorization of various texts to be used in tandem with class exercises.3. It is expected that the student keep a journal of their observations regarding their own experiences with vocal practices, changes, and progress. The journal will be brought to class everyday.*Note: Some of the breathing and restructuring work incorporates hands on body work, for diagnostic purposes as well as assisting the student in finding proper alignment in the body. I will ask permission before putting hands on, please let me know if you would rather not participate. Eventually, we will incorporate hands on partner work; again, let me know of any particular concerns.D. Additional Requirements:1. A blank journal should be purchased and brought to class daily.2. Clothing should be loose and comfortable; no jeans, no hats.3. Water bottles are allowed in class, no food or other beverages are allowed.4. Small pillows or towels may provide additional comfort and support to some exercise work.E. Attendance:Your attendance is vital to your own growth as a performer. Absenteeism and lateness arehighly discouraged. More than (2) unexcused absences will result in the lowering of the student’s grade by one letter for each absence thereafter. The only exceptions to this policy are family emergency or serious illness.F. Grading:1. 40%: Preparedness, reading assignment discussion, effort and enthusiasm in class participation.2. 50%: Well prepared and considered performance assignments.3. 10%: Written assignments.G. Course Outline:Week 1: Relaxation and Breathing. Introduce Warm-up sequence. Introduce journals, to be kept all semester. Week 2: Sound and movement games used to loosen the body and practice staying relaxed even during movement. Week 3: “Muscularity and Word” Chapter 3 in Berry. I will also introduce vocal techniques by Lessac; and work with Laban’s effort shapes. Week 4: Introduction to heightened text. We will be working with Shakespeare’s sonnets, to be memorized and “performed” in the different theaters throughout the semester. Assign one sonnet per person. Explain that they will need to look up each word in the sonnet for appropriate meanings.Week 5: Continuation of week 4. We will explore the Meter and Rhythm of Shakespeare’s Text, and discuss iambic pentameter. Week 6: Work on Berry and Rodenburg relaxation techniques. Assess proper body alignment.Week 7: Continue work on Berry and Rodenburg. Introduce Techniques based on Karen Linklater’s work. Practice vocalizing sonnets.Week 8: Midterm Performance of sonnets, fully memorized. We will go into severaldifferent spaces to practice performing the sonnets in various venues. Journals Due today for review. -----SPRING BREAK MAR. 3-8-----Week 9: Work on Arthur Lessac techniques; and articulation, projection, and resonance.Week 10: Begin assigning vocal warm-ups to groups of two. Continue work on sound and movement. Assign monologues for memorization.Week 11: Continue work on articulation, range, projection, ect. Week 12: Explore various forms of relaxation and breath work. Introduce ways to strengthen postural muscles and diaphragm to support breath.Week 13: Sound and Movement.Week 14: Introduction to IPA.Week 15: Continue IPA, and begin monologue practice for final.Week 16: Perform monologues. Last Day is May 6th. Special dates TBATutors (plus additional services for academic success) can be accessed by calling 796-8415 or by stopping by the Center for Student Success, Bert Walker Hall Room 123. "Students requiring special assistance (including those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act) should contact the Center for Student Success. This is the first step in acquiring the appropriate accommodations to facilitate your