• To integrate Stanislavski acting technique into solo singing from musical theatre repertoire
• To use script/character analysis to explore the monologue of each solo song
• To perform songs representative of different musical theatre styles, genres, and periods
• To analyze given circumstances, characterization, and personalization in relation to the expressive ideas of the librettist, composer, and lyricist
• To reinforce the use of discipline-specific vocabulary
• To refine personal discipline for rehearsal/performance
• To explore the unique nature of musical theatre as an art form
• To instill a sense of self and pride within each student through the work accomplished

Methodology/Assessment

Objectives and goals will be assessed with solo performance of musical theatre repertoire; participation in classroom discussion and exercises; constructive peer evaluation; research and written analysis of song characters; journal writings; and quizzes/exams.

Recommended Textbooks for this Course:

• An Actor Prepares by Constantin Stanislavski
• The Stanislavski System by Sonia Moore
• Broadway Musicals Show by Show by Stanley Green
• The Actor Sings by Kevin Robison
• A Practical Handbook for the Actor by Bruder, Cohn, Olnek, Pollack, Previto, Zigler

Recommended Materials for This Course:

• Three-ring notebook binder for class materials
• Three-ring notebook repertoire binder
• Recording device (i.e., tape recorder, computer recorder, etc.)
• White typing paper (8-1/2" by 11")
• Note paper/typing utensils for taking lecture notes

Attendance Policy

It is imperative you attend every class and participate fully.  You are part of a professional training program that places as much emphasis on self-discipline as it does skill development.  Careless attendance and/or tardiness will not be tolerated.

You will be allowed two unexcused absences during the semester before your final semester grade is affected.  Each subsequent unexcused absence will result in one full letter grade reduction of the final semester grade (meaning that if you earned an "A" for the semester and accumulated three unexcused absences, your final grade will be a "B").

Missing class because of late night rehearsals or it is opening night of a show you are in is totally, completely, absolutely, no-questions-asked, better-pick-a-new-major UN-EX-CUSED!!

Two instances of tardiness will equate to one unexcused absence.  The door to the classroom will be closed at the beginning of the regularly-scheduled class period.  If you arrive after the door has been closed, you are late!!!

It is the policy of the University to reasonably accommodate absences due to observed religious holidays and/or University-sanctioned events whereby a student will be representing UCF.  However, the student is responsible for any material covered during the absence(s).  You must informt he instructor in writing two weeks prior to being away.  Please also notify any classmates who will be affected by your absence(s) so alternate arrangements can be made for the class(es) you will miss.

Emergencies will be handled individually and at the discretion of the instructor.  Written verification will be required for extenuating circumstances.

PLEASE DO NOT COME TO CLASS IF YOU ARE ILL!!!

Seek medical attention and return to class when you are not infectious.  If you miss class due to illness and see a doctor or go to the Student Health Center, please provide the instructor with a written medical excuse.

If you are unable to attend class, it is your responsibility to notify the Instructor of your absence via phone or e-mail.  Failure to do so will result in the absence being marked as unexcused.

Any work/exams missed due to excused absences may be made up through special arrangement with the Instructor.  Work and/or exams missed due to unexcused absences may not be made up, and you will suffer the consequences of the work you missed.

Extra Credit for Excessive Unexcused Absences:

Should you find yoursle in a position where your final semester grade may be lowered due to excessive unexcused absences, you may erase ONE unexcused absence from "the books" by completing an extra credit assignment.  You will be required to research a topic of the Instructor's choosing and present a written analysis of your research before the final exam is proctored.  Extra credit will be given only for this purpose.  No extra credit will be offered to mend poor grades on assignments, quizzes, and/or major tests.

NOTE:  Any student more than 10 minutes late to the Final Exam (without prior approval from the Instructor) will accrue an unexcused absence and will not be allowed to participate in the Final Exam!!

Grading Policy:

It is the assumption of the Instructor that each student in this course begins with a clean slate upon which they build and earn points towards their final grade.  Grades are not "given" -- they are "earned."  Therefore, equal weight wil be placed on in-class presentations, written assignments, quizzes, the mid-term and final exams.

Grading will be based on individual quality and growth, a clearly-demonstrated understanding of Stanislavski acting technique, discipline-specific vocabulary, script analysis, and character analysis as they apply to musical theatre solo siging work; presentation of historical research for each character; oral communication and effective peer evaluation skills; journal quotes; production critical analysis; and quizzes/exams.

Written assignments should be treated as if they were formal essays being presented in an English composition class.  Yes, you need to be literate as a performer!!  And, yes, grading will include evaluation of grammatical structuring, statement of thesis/purpose, writing style, and punctuation/spelling.  Written assignments are expected to be presented in the following fashion:

• TYPED ONLY on white, 8-1/2" x 11" paper -- one side only!! No handwritten papers will be accepted...I don't care what happneed to you and/or the computer you were working on late last night!!  Plan ahead -- don't wait until the last minute!!
• Please put your name on every page of your paper.  This will prove extremely beneficial should the pages get separated.
• Please staple the pages together if your paper is more than one page.  Don't tape them together...or rip the corner and fold it over...or use last night's gum to stick them together!
• Double-spaced with a left and right margin of no more than 1" -- don't think you're going to get away with squeezing your work into a smaller space on the page to save from having to write so much!
• Please use 12 point type -- it's easier for my old eyes to read.  Thank you!!

NO WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE

ACCEPTED PAST THE DUE DATE!!!

You may, however, turn in any written assignment before the due date.  If you know you are going to miss class(es) due to a religious holiday or a University-sanctioned event, and a written assignment is due that day, you will need to turn in your work before the first class you will miss.

You may submit written assignments via e-mail.  In fact, this is the preferred method of assignment delivery, if possible.  If you elect to send your assignments electronically, insure you get a response from the Instructor verifying the e-mail was received.  This is your insurance the work reached the appropriate person so you get full credit for your work.  Assignments will be graded and returned to you electronically.  Make sure you respond to the Instructor that you received the graded assignment.  If you need help learning how to do this, please see the Instructor for assistance.

You will be allowed to re-submit any of your written assignments one time in order to improve your grade.  All re-submits are due by the last day of regular class at the end of the semester.  Remember -- your written assignments are weighted the same as your performances, so it would behoove you to take advantage of this opportunity!!

"The Golden Rule"

Violations of student academic behavior standards are outlined in the Golden Rule, the University of Central Florida's Student Handbook (http://www.ucf.edu/goldenrule/). It includes:

• Cheating whereby non-permissible written, visual or oral assistance including that obtained from another student is utilized on examinations, course assignments or projects.  The unauthorized possession or use of examination or course related material shall also constitute cheating.

• Plagiarism whereby another's work is deliberately used or appropriated without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student's own.  Any student failing to properly credit ideas or materials taken from another has plagiarized.

A student who has assisted another in any of the aforementioned breach of standards shall be considered equally culpable.

If you have any questions about the Golden Rule and how it applies to you and your work, please make an appointment to discuss the matter with the Instructor.

[Please be aware the Instructor utilizes Internet resources to research any paper suspected of being "lifted" or purchased for use in this class.  It is easier than you think to discover whether your paper is original or not!!  Don't jeopardize your chances of achieving a good grade in this course simply because you didn't prepare for any written assignments.]

Assignment grades will be given the following numerical values by the Instructor:

• A = 4.0
• A minus = 3.75
• B plus = 3.25
• B = 3.0
• B minus = 2.75
• C plus = 2.25
• C = 2.00
• C minus = 1.75
• D = 1.00
• F = 0.00

Calculating the Final Semester Grade:  All grades earned in the course will be added.  The total points earned will be divided by the total number of grades possible.  This will provide a numerical value for the final semester grade.

For example:

A student earns:  A (4.0), B minus (2.75), B plus (3.25), C minus (1.75), and A minus (3.75)

Total points earned:  15.5

Number of assignments: 5

Thus, 15.5 divided by 5 equals a final numerical score of 3.10.  This gives the student a final grade of "B" for the semester.

Any lowering of the final grade due to attendance problems will be completed once all assignment grades have been averaged.

Grading questions should be discussed with the Instructor by private appointment.  No discussion of grades will occur during class time.

Please be aware that all grading is subjective, and the Instructor will make every attempt to clearly define what criteria has been used in the evaluation of your work.

Disclaimers:

• Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact the Instructor personally to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunity.
• Since Theatre requires the use of mind, voice, and body, there might be situations that require a certain amount of physical contact between you and the Instructor and other students.  If this presents a problem for you, please see the Instructor immediately to assess your chances for success in this course.
• The use of cell phones, pagers, beepers, or any other electronic device that may disrupt the course is strictly forbidden during class time.  It is extremely rude and disrespectful to have a cell phone ring while other classmates are trying to perform or the Instructor is trying to lecture/coach students.  If you carry these devices, turn them off while you are in class -- if class time is disrupted by your electronics, you will be asked to leave class, and you will accrue an unexcused absence for that class period.
• If you need to leave a contact number for emergencies, please arrange with the Administrative Staff in the Theatre Department for a phone number to use, and leave your schedule with them should you need to be contacted.
• The use of recorders or laptop computers are permitted in class provided they don't disturb other students or the Instructor.  If you are caught using your laptop computer for purposes other than those necessary for the course, you will be asked to leave class, and you will accrue an unexcused absence for that class session.  And "Incident Report" will be filed with the Theatre Department Probation Committee requesting disciplinary action be taken.
• If you have any questions about other types of equipment, please see the Instructor for clarification.

Behavior disruptive to the continued success of this course and other students may result in one or more of the following actions:

• Academic Action:  Taken by the Instructor, Chair, or Dean of the College.  Can include removal from the class session and loss of credit for a specific assignment, examination or project; referral to counseling; and/or removal from the course with a grade of "F"

and/or

• Conduct Review Action:  Taken by the Office of Student Conduct.  Can include warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, permanent conduct record with UCF accessible by other Institutions upon request.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS SEMESTER

• Attendance at every class
• Active participation in classroom exercises/discussions

Performance Assignments

3 Solo Songs:

• "Outside Myself" -- my surroundings
• "Someone Else" -- my lover, partner, parent, child, friend, etc.
• "To the Universe" -- God, Universe, Higher Power, etc.

Show/Song Periods:

• "Old School" -- Traditional "Golden Age" Broadway (up to 1950)
• "Middle School" -- Middle 20th Century (1950-1975)
• "Out of School" -- Pop/Rock Song NOT written for the Broadway stage...though it can be FROM a Broadway show (i.e., Jukebox Musicals)

1. You will choose which of the 3 solo songs you will match to the show/song periods (i.e., "Inside Myself" will be your "New School" song).
2. 3 copies of each of your songs are required -- 1 copy for your repertoire notebook; 1 copy to the class accompanist BEFORE you perform the song in class; 1 copy for the Instructor.  If you don't have these, you will not be allowed to sing in class.
3. Songs must be fully memorized and ready for performance -- students are expected to rehearse and prepare their material outside the regularly-scheduled class period.
4. Students should create a rehearsal tape of their songs as soon as possible.  Utilization of the Staff Accompanist hours should be used for this purpose.  There will be no class time used to record song choices.
5. Songs selected for THIS class may not be the same songs selected for Musical Theatre Voice class -- no double dipping will be allowed!!

Written Assignments

• For each song presented, the a "Character Analysis Worksheet" must be submitted on the day of the first class presentation.
• An in-depth analysis review of one UCF Theatre Department production of your choice presented during the Fall 2007 semester.  [Follow the "Departmental Critique Guidelines" handout given to you in class.]
• Five (5) journal quotes from the handout given to you in class.