Course

Acting for the Stage II

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Performing & Fine Arts
Course code
PEFA 2220
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
26
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course explores the actor’s internal and external resources for the creation of character, building on the foundation work of PEFA 1120. Students participate in scenes and dramatic exercises with emphasis on script analysis and acting styles appropriate to specific plays, playwrights and genres. Attendance at live theatre productions will be mandatory.
Course content

Students will explore advanced internal and external resources available to the actor for the effective creation of character. They will learn specific techniques for script analysis and study specific vocabulary appropriate to speech, movement and acting.

  1. Script analysis
    • interpreting the imagery in the text
    • finding the event structure
  2. Speaking the text
    • understanding the words
    • discovering motivation
    • shaping long speeches by finding beats and transitions
    • developing strategies for memorizing the text
  3. Stage terminology
    • stage directions
    • stage areas
    • stage movement

Learning activities

  1. Lectures will introduce advanced vocabulary for script analysis and for the theoretical aspects of stage acting.
  2. In the classroom/studio, students will work on practical exercises in character development. Students will work individually as well as in small and large groups in the preparation and performance of a series of short acting projects.

Means of assessment

Attendance (10%)

Due to the fact that this is a studio course, full attendance and regular punctuality is mandatory. Please see the individual instructor’s outline for details on late and absence penalties.

Written Journal (10%)

Students are expected to keep a journal for this course. Student reflections on class material, projects and exercises will be recorded throughout the semester.

Attitude/Participation/Progress (10%)

Students are expected to approach their work in a mature and professional manner. Promptness, out-of-class preparation, and consideration of others will be reflected in this mark.

Students are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the work, not only as solo and/or ensemble performers but also as constructively critical audience members whose individual observations and opinions are valuable.  Students will be assessed on an ongoing basis according to level of commitment and dedication to the process of class work and practical application of techniques.

Presented Work Assignments (45%)

Students will be assessed on their individual progress on a series of prepared improvisations, monologues, small and large group exercises and major performance projects. The weighting and number of Presented Work Assignments will be determined by the individual instructor as guided by the following sample outline:

  • Scene 1   5%
  • Scene 2   5%
  • Scene 3   10%
  • Scene 4   10% 
  • Final Scene  15%  (including 5% on rehearsal progress and 10% on performance)

Additional Written Work (15%)

  • Students will submit two play reviews at 5% each.
  • Students will submit a Final Scene Scriptbook for 5%.                             

Quiz (10%)

The quiz will be based on text readings, lecture notes and handouts.

Learning outcomes

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

  1. develop a knowledge of internal and external resources available and necessary for the effective creation of a character, including script analysis techniques;
  2. learn and apply appropriate advanced terminology and vocabulary of acting for the stage;
  3. become familiar with elements of specific historical and contemporary acting styles;
  4. learn and apply advanced resources to the development and effective presentation of character.

Textbook materials

A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor’s course Outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester. Example:

Harrop, John and Epstein, Sabin R., Acting With Style, Allyn & Bacon (most recent re-print).

Requisites

Prerequisites

PEFA 1120 or permission of instructor

Note: Students cannot receive credit for both PEFA 2220 and THEA 1210.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for PEFA 2220
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU ASAS 1XX (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR ACT 1XX (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU ARTS 2XXX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CA 1XX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU THTR 1XXX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO THTR_O 103 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV THEA 112 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC THEA 122 (1.5)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU THEA 206 (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025