Theatre Arts 10A
Beginning Voice Development

Class Objective
The purpose of this course is to explore comprehensive vocal skills for the actor who wishes to prepare for the demands of theatre performing. This class is designed to provide students with a detailed study of the techniques that will heighten the student's vocal potential in the areas of clarity, musicality, pitch, range, volume and full creative vocal expressiveness. Upon completion, the student will have a deeper awareness of his/her own speaking capacity and the qualities and methods that will help expand the effectiveness and the incredible potential of the human voice. Students learn fundamentals to command and control the full use and range of their voice in terms of placement, power, clarity, musicality, and effective communication through concrete practice and familiarity. "Practice greatly improves proficiency."

Required Text:
    The Use and Training of the Human Voice, 3rd edition by Arthur Lessac

Attendance and Participation:
Attendance in class and for L.A.B. (Language Arts Building) workshops is imperative. Excessive absences may result in being dropped from the class. You may be dropped after 3 unexcused absences. In addition, tardiness and missed warm-ups will not be tolerated. Arriving late to class may be counted as a full absence. Absences and tardiness will count against your potential grade in this class. You are require to participate in all class activities. These activities will include and are not limited to: lectures, demonstrations, vocal and physical warm-ups, class exercises and explorations, L.A.B., video tape viewing, audio listening, and presentation of modern and classical literature as it relates to course objectives. You will be graded daily on your participation level in these assignments.

Vocal Presentations:
You will be required to select, rehearse, prepare and present/perform a minimum of 7 selections from modern and classical literature during the course of the session. All selections are subject to pre-approval and specific guidelines set down by the instructor. You will be responsible for selecting, scoring/marking, and rehearsing your presentation outside of regular class time. Students will be given specific deadlines for selection of required material. Failure to meet deadlines and vocal criteria will effect the final outcome of your grade on these vocal presentations. Under no circumstances will the instructor select your presentation material for you. Students who ask instructors to find their material for them are generally labeled "lazy" in most theatre circles. Expecting instructors to do your homework and research for you is unacceptable and limits the ultimate growth of the student's knowledge of material available.

Genre/Form and Mode/Style of Vocal Presentations:
1.    Children's literature
2.    Modern comic
3.    Modern serious realism
4.    Classical comic
5.    Classical tragedy/serious
6.    Poetry/verse
7.    Final presentation (See instructor).

Worksheets and Scoring/Markings:
In addition to selecting presentation material, you are required to fill out information worksheets on all presentation material and to map out a technical scoring/marking of the vocal possibilities present in the text. Prior to presentation, students will turn in this required information. Worksheets will relate to the essential information having to do with the scope of the material to be presented and the character portrayed. Scoring/markings should be focused on the specific areas of study at the time of the given presentation. Scoring/markings should follow the format set down in the required textbook. Students are responsible for reading their required textbook and taking note of the guidelines set down for scoring/marking material. These worksheets and scoring/marking assignments are mandatory and must be turned in prior to the performance of your required presentation.

Midterm Project and Final Exam/Presentation:
A midterm project and a final presentation will be due/presented on the dates listed in the class itinerary. Midterm projects will be assigned by the instructor on a student by student basis. Final Presentations will be given on the final exam date as determined by SMC. The instructor will determine criteria, format and guidelines for final presentations.

SMC Theatre Arts Productions; Vocal Evaluations:
You will be required to see the Santa Monica College Theatre Arts Department productions as set down by the guidelines and requirements of all theatre arts students attending this college. Information on these productions is listed in the class itinerary and tickets will need to be purchased by the students in advance. In addition, two typewritten papers/assignments will be due on the dates also listed in the course itinerary. An outline of guidelines stating the criteria for these assignments will be handed out in class.

Student Evaluation/Observation Notebooks:
Students will be required to keep a notebook of evaluations and observations during the course of the session. These notebooks must be brought to class at all times and will be turned into the instructor no less than three times for grading. Notebooks will be divided into three areas of study/observations. Section one of your notebook will be an ongoing weekly log of your own personal self-evaluation, growth and progression in class. Section two will be an observation/evaluation of the positive growth of your fellow classmates during their presentation process. Section three of your notebook will encompass a series of week-end assignments to be determined by the instructor. The instructor will provide an additional handout defining the specific criteria for these student evaluation/observation notebooks. Your ability to keep a well-organized, up-to-date notebook is mandatory and will determine the final outcome of your grade.

Instructor's Notes and Feedback:
You are required to take notes during the process of this course. The class instructor will be giving you these notes throughout the duration of the session. Notes and feedback are focused toward improvement and the overall quality of your work and progression the class. Your ability to give full attention to these notes and to show a respect and willingness to take direction is vital to your improvement and vocal work. Failure to take notes/feedback and show cooperation may result in a lowering of your grade. Sometimes it is necessary for the instructor to physically show you where breath support, posture and vocal dynamics take place in the body. This will sometimes require a hands-on physical demonstration and instructor/student physical contact. If you are, in any way, uncomfortable with these kinds of demonstrations, please don't hesitate to let the instructor know and your feelings and wishes will be discreetly regarded.

Final Product:
As a member of this class, it is your responsibility to be concerned with the final product and growth of your performance level. You must hold yourself accountable. You must focus on the highest level of achievement. You are responsible for the quality of your own progression in this course. Equally as important to your own personal growth, is the growth of your fellow classmates. Your cooperation, respect and thoughtfulness for other students is expected inside and outside of class. Positive group interaction, team work, and maintaining a respectful attitude toward class members, faculty and staff helps promote a progressive learning environment. Disruptive, negative behavior that impedes the learning process will not be tolerated.

Grading:
    Attendance/Participation- 150 points
     Vocal Presentations- 100 points
     Worksheets and Scoring - 50 points
     Production Evaluations - 50 points
     Notebooks - 50 points
     Midterm Project - 50 points
     Final Presentation - 50 points

Class Schedule:

Final Exam/Presentation:   

Home