TPP 2220: AUDITION TECHNIQUES

Instructor: Crotty Text: AUDITION by Michael Shurtleff, current edition.

Office: #7 Office Hours: posted on office door

Voicemail: 312-4310 Email: patriciacrotty@sjrcc.edu

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Prepare for a variety of different auditions; prepared monologues, cold readings, improvisations etc.

B. Demonstrate the ability to prepare for all steps of the audition process, from locating the audition through final interviews.

C. Cope more effectively with audition stress.

D. Use Michael Shurtleff's "Twelve Guideposts" to create dynamic characterizations in cold readings.

E. Demonstrate an understanding of the thought processes behind casting so that he/she can change the audition piece to fit the circumstances.

F. Apply the strategies presented in class to callbacks.

G. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of presenting a strong visual package.

H. Perform a set of prepared audition pieces.

I. Apply the concepts presented in class to the set of audition pieces.

J. Develop an understanding of his/her strongest "types" for casting.

K. Use the concept of type casting to select and prepare appropriate audition material.

L. Develop the ability to evaluate his/her success in a given audition situation based on goal setting rather than on the cast list.

M. Develop the personal discipline necessary to enable an actor to motivate him/herself to seek out, prepare for, and recover from professional auditions.

N. Prepare a resume.

O. Display a basic knowledge of the primary unions for performing artists.

P. Prepare for a headshot photo session.

Q. Prepare a working contact file.

R. Demonstrate a basic understanding of networking.

S. Develop a professional approach to time management.

ASSIGNMENTS

Each student will prepare an audition package consisting of four audition projects:

Package A (Acting): 3 monologues (contemporary comic, contemporary serious, classical) and 1 song.

Package B (Musical Theatre): 2 songs (ballad, upbeat) and 2 monologues (comic, serious).

Package C (Dance): 1 monologue, 1 song, 1 dance collage video, 1 monologue or song.

Note: Although the packages are designed to accommodate the needs of the various disciplines any student may elect to do package A, B, or C regardless of his or her major. At least three of the four projects should be new material.

Each student will also prepare a resume. There will also be tests, quizzes and homework assignments.

GRADES

15% Chapter test Average

5% Resume

30% Audition Projects (10% each--lowest grade dropped)

20% Final Exam (comprehensive--on lecture and text.)

30% Final Performance

(Presentation of entire audition package--all 4 performances back to back)

Extra credit is available for a contact file.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students in this class must know, observe, and not compromise the principles of academic integrity. It is not permissible to cheat, to fabricate or falsify information, to submit the same academic work in more than one course without prior permission, to plagiarize, to receive unfair advantage, or to otherwise abuse accepted practices for handling and documenting information. The grade for this course includes the judgment that the student’s work is free from academic dishonesty of any type. Violations or infractions will be reported to the Vice President for Student Affairs and may lead to failure of the course and other sanctions imposed by the College.

CLASS POLICIES

Attendance is mandatory--in accordance with SJRCC policy. Excessive absences(more than 3) will result in a lowering of the student's final grade (up to two full letter grades) or removal from the class.

Students are responsible for making up work missed due to absences whether excused or unexcused. If the student misses a class for any reason it is his/her responsibility to contact the instructor regarding the assignments or lecture material missed.

Excessive lateness or disruptive behavior will also result in a lowering of the student's final grade (up to two full letter grades.)

At any point during the semester the instructor may choose to give a pop quiz on any of the material covered in the lectures, handouts, or text.

At any time after a student has presented an audition piece, he/she may be asked to perform it again.

To enhance the class assignments, students may be asked to present one or more performances in Stage I.

Enough rope policy: Since one of the main purposes of the course is to force the student to confront the need for self-discipline in a successful career in the performing arts, late work will be accepted. Makeup tests will be given. The course schedule is designed to lead the student through the material in the simplest possible way--if the student chooses to try a more difficult method it is at his or her own peril. Late performances will be graded off one and 1/2 letter grades and will not be coached. Students who present performances on the due dates who are not happy with the grade can redo the performance at any time to try and improve the grade. Makeup tests will be more difficult than the in class tests and will be graded off 20 points (2 letter grades). Students who take tests on the scheduled dates can elect to take the makeup test to improve their grade--in such cases the new grade will replace the original grade (unless the new grade exceeds 89 points in which case 89 points will be awarded to replace the original grade.)

Final Exam Exemption Policy: Students with no more than 2 unexcused absences will be allowed to present a notebook with detailed notes from lecture and text to be graded in place of taking the final exam.