Author: David Nisbet
Company: Chicago Public Schools

Reinhardt University Theatre Program

Course Title: Voice for the Actor II    Course#:  355
INSTRUCTOR: David Nisbet
Office Hours: By Appointment Only
Campus E-mail: dsn@reinhardt.edu
773-793-7244

COURSE  DESCRIPTION: Voice for the Actor II is a further exploration the vocal mechanism used in the production of an effective and flexible voice for the stage.  Students will review the fundamentals of breathing, resonation, projection and articulation.  Vocal technique will be applied to monologues.  Students will also explore characteristics needed for voice overs and will begin to develop a repertoire of dialects for the stage.   The theory of voice and speech will be addressed in a text chosen for the course.  

COURSE  RATIONALE: Students who want to become actors in the highly competitive areas of theatre, film, television and radio must have a strong, flexible voice and clear effortless diction. Theatre professionals are often asked to create believable accents for the stage.  Without the proper training, actors would be unable to create the needed characterization. 

LEARNING  OUTCOMES: 
     1  You will acquire, discuss, experiment with and demonstrate knowledge of sound production (phonation) and amplification (resonation and projection) by using these skills in physical and vocal exercises designed to explore sound for the stage.
    2.  You will identify, locate, compare and practice the sounds of General American English in tongue twisters and drills geared to promote awareness of the fundamentals of good speech.
    3.  You will prepare, rehearse, memorize and perform monologues in general American English and in chosen dialects.  You will also learn basic voice over techniques for professional usage. 
    4.  You will learn and master four different accents and use these accents in monologues.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Dialects For The Stage- Evangeline Machlin

REQUIREMENTS:

2. Prepare, rehearse and perform four monologues each in a different dialect
3. Take quizzes 
4. Demonstrate and lead vocal warm-up
5. Participate in classroom activities (including the warm-up and class discussions)
6. Prepare voice over selections

GRADE VALUES:

VO selections………………………………...........15%
Dialect monologues………............................30%
Quizzes………………………………..............15%
Oral Final Exam ( monologue)………....................20%
Participation……………………………….............15%

GRADING SCALE (for written exams)

90-100   Excellent		A	
80-89    Very Good		B	
70-79     Fair			C	
60-69    Substandard		D
59-0      Failing		F

CLASS POLICIES

Please do not eat, drink (except water) or chew gum in class
Please wear loose fitting rehearsal clothes that can be worn lying on the floor (please dress modestly) and expect  to remove your shoes for the warm up.
Physical contact among participating class members is to be expected.
Story and contemporary American monologue performances can be made up; however, Quizzes happen ONLY on the day and at the time they are scheduled.
Please silence all electronic devices during take off.
Remove tongue rings
Use of recording devices:  ask permission.
Visitors:  ask permission

ABSENCE/LATE POLICY

Attendance and prompt arrival for classes is expected.  Abuse of these will result in the lowering of a grade.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
I will seek to maintain a high standard of honesty and truthfulness for myself and for the college.  I will neither give nor receive any unauthorized aid in my academic work nor will I permit such action by any member of this community.  I will respect the persons and property of the community, and I will not condone discourteous or dishonest treatment of these by my peers.

PLEASE NOTE

This syllabus is subject to change in response to the needs of the class as it develops over the semester.  Students will be informed of any changes that might affect the grading policy, or the nature of individual assignments.

Changes in the syllabus and/or calendar/schedule may be made at the discretion of the instructor.

DISABILITIES

	Please speak with the instructor if you have a documented physical or learning disability requiring academic accommodation. Students with disabilities should  be registered with the Office of Student Support Services  and must present legitimate documentation to demonstrate  that an accommodation is appropriate.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you have a documented disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Academic Support Office (ASO).

Reinhardt University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. Therefore, if you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Academic Support Office (ASO). ASO is located in the basement of Lawson Building. Phone is 7707205567. To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper ASO letters/forms.”