Guide Lines for the Final Project for Acting

In preparation for the final scene, the actor must submit the following as preparation for the final:

1. A biography of the character, the specifics of which will be supplied to you.

2. "A Day in the Life" of your character, the specifics of which will be supplied to you.

3. A "Person, Place and Thing" journal: a detailed journal in which you go through the text and write at least a half page explanation/description of each person, place or object which is referred to in the scene. Refer to excerpts from Uta Hagen's book, RESPECT FOR ACTING.

4. Meaningful Object: Bring to class the actual item, or photo of an object that is meaningful to you and to your character. Please make sure that the object has meaning for you that can be transferred to your character.

5. Historical/Social/Economic/Theatrical Background: You must also do research into the historical, social, economic, theatrical background of the piece. You must also do a brief synopsis of the play from which the piece is taken, and a bio of the author and a history of the play. You must also discuss how, where, and why the particular scene occurs in the character's arc of the play.

TIME LINE:

November 30th: Must present a scene and the background of the play (see #5).
December 7th: Must present "Person, Place and Thing" (#3) and Meaningful Object (#4).
December 11th: Must present "The Biography" (#1) and "A Day in the Life" (#2).
December 14th: Must perform the scene for me before the final. The scene must be memorized.

November 26th - November 30th, 2007

November 26th - November 30th
Weekly Schedule
for
Play Production

A link for you: Backstage West

Monday, November 26th:

Today I will once again be shlepping the costumes from the cleaners to Sony. Work on your projects and be nice to the sub.


Tuesday, November 27th:

Shortened day!

Today you will be given a detailed overview of what each project entails. As you finish the assignment you will give it to me to sign off on. For example, for those of you who are directing, you will be expected to compile a director's notebook, which you will show on the day of your scene's presentation. If you are doing a scene, then you will keep an actor's notebook.


Wednesday, November 28th:

If you haven't yet given me a description of the project which you intend to work on, then you must do so today.


Thursday, November 29th:

Continue working on your project. Tomorrow, the first installation of your project will be due - the nature of which will be dependent upon the project you have chosen to do.


Friday, November 30th:

Check the progress of your project. Everyone must show her/his work.

November 19th - November 21st
Weekly Schedule
for Play Production

Links for you: BACKSTAGE WEST

Monday, November 19th:

Even though we have worked hard these past few months, now is not the time - although we’d like to - to kickback and coast these next few weeks. Nope, instead, we have to figure out something to do rather than just look at each other for an hour each day. So, we need to find:

a. a scene and a scene partner
b. a monologue to do
c. a scene you would like to direct others in
d. a short scene to write (five pages minimum with two rough drafts)
e. a twenty minute cabaret act on a topic of your choice
f. a set or costume or lighting design of a play of your choice.

This will be your final. Please start looking, writing, developing now. I will monitor your progress each day and will work with you as a director, acting coach, editor, advisor as needed.

You need to have something to present to me by Tuesday, November 20th: a scene, a partner, a monologue, an idea, the beginnings of a rough draft, an outline - something.


Tuesday, November 20th:

Continue working on our individual projects which I will oversee.


Wednesday, November 21st:

I won’t be with you today because I will be picking up the costumes from the cleaners and shlepping them to Sony’s.

Continue working on your projects and don’t give the sub a hard time. Be nice!

And have a marvelous Turkey Day!

November 13th - 16th Weekly Agenda for 6th Period Play Production


Tuesday, November 13th:
Shortened day!
Relax, kickback, you deserve it after such a brilliant run! I will show you the tape(s) I made of the show.

Wednesday, November 14th:
The same! Continue watching the video or taking care of those loose ends that are still hanging around bothering people.
If you are involved with the dance recital or the music show you have permission to work with the directors.
If you are not, then we will begin working on scenes and monologues to perform in class. The play production class will be turned into an acting class. For the final, we may present a recital of our work to the school in #503.

Thursday, November 15th:
The same. We will now start looking for scenes and monologues to work on for the class.

Friday, November 16th:

We’ll do some theatre games and start working on the scenes and monologues.

Rehearsal and Performance Schedule for Nov. 5 - 11th

NOVEMBER 5TH - 11TH
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
FOR
THE IMAGINARY INVALID

We are now in the homestretch! One more week and then SOME of us can relax for a moment; others can’t: it’s one down, two more to go.

Anyway, what we all need to do is go over our notes; go off somewhere to rehearse with our scene partners, and when we are at home - yeah, right, like who has time to go home - rehearse the lines and business over and over and over again.

What the show needs is for each of you to do what we have rehearsed. Please bear in mind that now we must treat the rehearsals as if they were performances.

NO BREAKING CHARACTER!
NO AD LIBBING!
NO COMMENTING ON THE SCENE!
NO UNREHEARSED OR UNRELATED BUSINESS!
USE PROPS AND COSTUMES!


You have to give 100% not only for yourself, but for your fellow actors and for the show. When you allow yourself to indulge in negativity or self-doubt, you are letting down your fellow actors who are in the scene with you. And you are letting down the show. We are all working very hard and we must all be very strong. Acting requires tremendous strength - mental toughness, physical stamina and emotional resilience - and we must use much more discipline during this week than we have been. Then you can relax and enjoy the accolades from your family and friends and the warm memory of a wonderful run.

Monday, November 5th:

6th Period:

Work with Alexandra as Bonnefoi
Work with Phoenix as Diafoirus
TOINETTE and ARGAN: work on Act 2 scene
NURSES: run your dance and your scene.
CLEANTE: Run your scene.

3:25 - ?
Run-through

After run-through work with Toinette and Angelique







Tuesday, November 6th:

6th Period:

Work on those scenes as needed.

3:25 - 8:00
Run-through with props and costumes

After run-through: work with TOINETTE and ANGELIQUE


Wednesday, November 7th:

6th Period:

Work on those scenes as needed.

3:25 - 8:00
run-through with props and costumes

After run-through: work with TOINETTE and ARGAN


Thursday, November 8th:

3rd, 4th and 5th Periods Call: Eat, warm-up, get into costumes, hair and make-up.

6th Period: Invited dress

5:00 pm call: Warm-up, get into costumes, make-up and hair.

7:00 pm Curtain


Friday, November 9th:

6th Period: Work on those scenes as needed.

5:00 pm call: Warm-up, get into costumes, make-up and hair.

7:00 pm Curtain


Saturday, November 10th:

5:00 pm call: Warm-up, get into costumes, make-up and hair.

7:00 pm Curtain




Sunday, November 11th:

12: 00 pm call: Warm-up, get into costumes, make-up and hair.

2:00 pm Curtain

October 29th - November 2nd
Weekly Schedule
for THE IMAGINARY INVALID

SELL THOSE ADS!


Monday, October 29th:

Period 6:

Work on those scenes as needed:

Work with Bonnefoi, Argan and Beline

Dancers run through dance and “surgery scene” for an hour in the lobby.
Cleante rehearses “opera scene” for an hour in the lobby.

Start using costumes and props.
As soon as the individual scenes are finished, then we will begin a run-through.
Food arrives at 6.
THANKS MOMS! YOU ARE THE GREATEST!
Whoever is not working may chow down.
Run-through of Act 1 and 2.
Dismissal time: 7:00 pm


Tuesday, October 30th:

Period 6:

Work on those scenes as needed:

Work with Bonnefoi, Argan and Beline.

Dancers work on dance and “surgery scene” in the lobby.
Cleante rehearses “opera scene” in the lobby.

Start using costumes and props.
As soon as the individual scenes are finished, then we will begin a run-through.
Food arrives at 6. THANKS MOMS! YOU ARE THE GREATEST!
Whoever is not working may chow down.
Run-through of Act 1 and 2.
Dismissal time: 7:00


Wednesday, October 31st:

Period 6: Work on those scenes as needed.

Early dismissal!

Trick or treat! Sell those ad sales!

Thursday, November 1st:

Minimum Day for PHBAO - but not for us!

Run-through from 1:15 to 5:00.

Please use props and costumes!


Friday, November 2nd:

Period 6: Rehearse those scenes as needed!

Run-through until 7 pm.

Bonding night until 9 pm: organized by Grace MacMillan!


Saturday, November 3rd:

10:30 am until 3:30 pm.

Run-throughs with as much of the props, costumes, music, lights as we have by Saturday.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR MAKING THE LAST TWO WEEKS AS RELATIVELY EASY AS THEY WERE:

PAUL ITKIN
MS. DENISE COOK
MS. GAIL MOODY
MS. MASON

October 22nd - October 26th
Weekly Schedule
for
THE IMAGINARY INVALID



Monday, October 22nd:

Run-through of Act 1 and Act 2.

SELL THOSE ADS!



Tuesday, October 23rd:

Run-through of Act 1 and Act 2.

SELL THOSE ADS!



Wednesday, October 24th:

6th Period:

Run Act 2.
Work with Beline and Argon.
Work with Louise and Argon.

3:25 - 7:00

Run Act 1.
Work with Argon and Toinette.
Work with Cleante and Angelica.

The amazing moms, Ms. Moody and Ms. Mason, thoughtfully brought some delicious food for us to eat during rehearsal today. From the cast and crew, THANK YOU!


Thursday, October 25th:

6th Period:

Work with Doctor Purgon and Bonnefoi today during 6th Period.

3:25 - 7:00

Run-through of Acts 1 and 2.



Friday, October 26th:


6th Period:

Work on those scenes as needed.

3:25 - 5:00

Run-through

5:00 - ?

Is everyone up for a little fun bonding tonight as Grace suggested?


Saturday, October 27th:

10:30 - 3:30:

Cue to cue. Work on those scenes as needed.

Costume list
for
The Imaginary Invalid


These are the costume needs for THE IMAGINARY INVALID. If you can think of anything else, let me know:


Argan:

bald pate
bald crazy fringy of white hair
maroon silk smoking jacket
pajamas
slippers
long black graduation robe

Toinette:

17th Century maid’s gown
white cap
black or dark blue
petti-coats
puffy elbow length sleeves
scoop necked
apron
white stockings
medium heel shoes


Angelique:

17th Century gown
petti-coats
scooped neck
puffy elbow length sleeves
white stockings
medium heel shoes


Beline:

17th Century gown
plunging neckline
puffy elbow length sleeves
white stockings
medium heel shoes
jewelry


Louise:

17th Century little girl’s dress
petti-coats
pastel color
white stockings
medium heel shoes
hair ribbons
Cleante:

17th Century gentleman’s costume
Hamlet shirt
breeches
boots
leather belt
gaucho hat

Thomas:

17th Century gentleman’s costume
ruffled shirt
waistcoat
long jacket with tails
breeches
white stockings
medium heel slip on shoes
tri-corner hat

Diafoirus:

17th Century gentleman’s costume
ruffled shirt
waist coat
long jacket with tails
breeches
boots
tri-corner hat
watch chain with watch and fob

Beralde

17th Century gentleman’s costume
ruffled shirt
waist coat
long jacket with tails
breeches
boots
tri-corner hat









Bonnefoi:

17th Century gentleman’s costume
ruffled shirt
waist coat
long jacket with tails
breeches
white stockings
medium heel slip-on shoes
tri-corner hat


Purgon:

17th Century gentleman’s costume
ruffled shirt
waist coat
long jacket with tails
breeches
white stockings
medium heel slip-on shoes



Fleurant:

17th Century gentleman’s costume
ruffled shirt
waist coat
long jacket with tails
breeches
white stockings
medium heel slip on shoes

The Nurse:

1960’s short, tight white nurse’s uniforms
nurse’s hats
go-go boots

Eleven long black graduation robes.

Rehearsal Schedule for October 15th - 19th:

Monday, October 15th:

2:15 - 6:00 pm:

Act One should be memorized and you should be using props, and wearing rehearsal skirts and shoes.

I will not be here with you during 6th Period, but I will scoot in as quickly as humanly possible. We are going to do a stumble through today of both Act 1 and (good luck!) Act 2. Please be patient and be aware that directors cannot change the law of physics to speed things up. Things go as fast as they go. We will try to get to Act 2, but that means everyone has to be on task and not whine.


Tuesday, October 16th:

2:15 - 6:00 pm:

Same. We will work on Act Two.


Wednesday, October 17th:

2:15 - 6:00 pm:

I am back!

We will work on scenes as needed and then try for a stumble through.


Thursday, October 18th:

2:15 - 6:00 pm:

We will work on scenes as needed and then try for a stumble through.


Friday, October 19th:

I will not be here today. Please run your scenes and study your lines.

The amazing Paul Itkin and the wonderful Denise Cook (aka MamaCook) putting their heads together on production needs for THE IMAGINARY INVALID.

The "graduation scene" from THE IMAGINARY INVALID. From left to right: Vanessa, Alexandra, Grace, Elizabeth, Edgar, and Andoni.

A scene from THE IMAGINARY INVALID. From left to right: Uchenne, Emma, Monique, Elizabeth, Hayden (hidden), Alics, Esmeralda, and Alexandra.

David Dedayan and Jake Walsh hard at work on our "shoe" THE IMAGINARY INVALID.

This is a shot of Frank Sele and his terrific 5th Period Stage Crew hard at work on the 2007 fall production of THE IMAGINARY INVALID.

Rehearsal Schedule for October 8th - 12th

October 8th - October 12th
Weekly Schedule
for Imaginary Invalid



Monday, October 8th:

I will not be here during 6th Period, but Thomas will be here. I will try to get back to school AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Run-through! Then we will work on “The Graduation Scene”.

Alexis: Please get your prop crew together and have them search for props from the prop room. Then have them set up a prop table on stage right and left so that the actors can start using props - even if they are just rehearsal props, it’s important that the actors start using them.

Thanks!


Tuesday, October 9th:

Shortened day but not for us!

Pass out the Program Ad Sales sheets. Let’s get to work on selling some ads for the program.

1:00 - 5:00 pm: Run-though of entire play!
5:00 - 6:00 pm: Beralde’s Scene.


Wednesday, October 10th:

2:20 - 2:40 pm: Discussion and brainstorming on prop, costume, publicity and program crews.

2:40 - 6:00 pm: Run-through. Work with rehearsal props and costumes.


Thursday, October 11th:

2:20 - 5:00 pm: Run-though! Work with rehearsal props and costumes.


Friday, October 12th:

2:20 - 4:30 pm: Run-through! Work with rehearsal props and costumes.

Remember that you must have the lines from Act 1 memorized.

CREW LIST
FOR
THE IMAGINARY INVALID

PUBLICITY CREW:


Go to Google
Search for pictures for THE IMAGINARY INVALID (click on pictures on google.
Search for five good, interesting photos and drawings for THE IMAGINARY INVALID.
Print out.
Bring to class.
We will choose one.
You will design placement of info on poster.
Give the mockup to DIGILITH GRAPHICS.

COSTUME CREW:

Get measurement form and tape measures from Ms. Bridges.
Measure the actors.
Have each actor write out her/his costume(s) for the show (sorry, due to budgetary constraints, there will be NO costume changes).
Type up a list with each actor’s name, character name and each costume item needed.
Look in the costume shop for any costume that might be serviceable.



PROP CREW:

Have the actors draw up a list with their name, their character’s name, the props used by the actor and in which scenes the props are used.
Neatly type up the list.
Make at least five copies.
Give one to me, Ms. Bridges and one to Mr. Itkin. Keep one for each member of the prop crew.
Go through the prop room (you will have to ask Mr. Sele for access to the prop rooms) and look for props we already have so we will not have to buy.
Find substitute props the actors can start using now.

October Rehearsal Schedule for Invalid

Click on this image to enlarge.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
FOR
PLAY PRODUCTION
10/01 - 10/05
THE IMAGINARY INVALID


Monday, October 1, 2007:

I will not be here today through Wednesday. Phoenix is in charge and will do run-throughs of the show.
Thomas Roche will be here for about an hour from 2: 15 to about 3: 15.
I will try to be back in time for rehearsal after school.


Tuesday, October 2, 2007:

Same as before. Phoenix is in charge and will do run-throughs of the show.
I will try to be back in time for rehearsal after school.


Wednesday, October 3, 2007:

Same as before.


Thursday, October 4, 2007:

Minimum day:

We will rehearse from 1:30 until five pm.
You have an hour off for lunch so please be back ready to work on time at 1:30. Please anticipate hunger pains by packing a snack to eat during rehearsals, and have homework ready to work on when you’re not rehearsing.


Friday, October 5, 2007:

6th Period:

Rehearse the final scene, “The Graduation Scene”.

Beginning next week we will start staying until 5 on Friday.

Please note that during the hours of 2: 15 to 5:00 we are in rehearsals. Please take care of personal needs (eating, drinking, text messaging, hanging out with friends, etc) before or after rehearsals. Please do not whine and beg to be released early because: a) I can’t. I’m legally responsible for you until 5 pm (or 3:25 on Fridays) and I don’t want to be held responsible if you wander out into traffic at 3:24 and b) it’s REALLY ANNOYING to hear “Can you let me out early? There’s only five minutes left in the period and you’re not using me -” when I am concentrating on a scene.

Remember: You are young adult artists engaged in a creative enterprise. NO WHINING!

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
FOR
THE IMAGINARY INVALID


Monday, September 24th:

2:15 - 5:00 pm:

Everyone is called. We are doing a complete run-through today starting during 6th Period. We are staying until 5 pm.


Tuesday, September 25th:

Shortened day.

1:00 - 5:00 pm:

Thomas Rocha should be with us today. We will do a complete run-through, combined with theatre exercises and scene work.


Wednesday, September 26th:

Today we will work on the Beralde scene in Act ll. Phoenix, Argan, Beralde, Toinette, Fleurant, Esmeralda, Alexandra will be needed.


Thursday, September 27th:

2:15 - 5:00 pm:

Today we will have John Kellan with us.
We will work on theatre games, exercises and scene work.
Everyone is called.


Friday, September 28th:

6th Period:

Work on the last scene: “The Graduation Scene”. Everyone is needed.

Dismissal time: 3:25 pm.

Please note that the official dismissal time is 3:25 for those who are not called for 7th Period. Even if you are not called for rehearsal, you cannot leave before 3:25.

IMAGINARY INVALID
SCHEDULE
FOR THE WEEK OF
SEPTEMBER 17TH - 21ST


Monday, September 17th:

Monday, we will meet in the auditorium for some theatre games and improvs.
3:25: Brief meeting with Ken Martinez and the LACC Theatre Academy.

3:25 - 5 pm: Today we will work on pages 28 through 37 in Act 1. Soooo... if your character shows up on those pages, then you need to be here! This includes: Argan, Toinette, Angelique, Cleante, Diafoirus, Thomas, and Beline. Beline, hang tight, because there is a chance we may not get to you. If by some ridiculous oversight on my part, I did not list your name and your character is in those scenes, do NOT think you get a free “get-out-of-jail” card. You STILL have to be here!

Alexis, my trusty stage manager, should be here as well.


Tuesday, September 18th:

Shortened day!

Because it’s still relatively early in the semester, we will not stay late today; however, starting with the next shortened Tuesday (September 25th) we will stay until five.

6th Period:

We will continue working through Act 1. No 7th Period today.



Wednesday, September 19th:

6th Period:

Write our biographies for the programs.

6th and 7th Periods:

Run through Act 1.










Thursday, September 20th:

6th Period:

Today we will determine the crews we need and then you will join a crew you think you would enjoy working on and that would help the production. Some crews you might want to consider are: publicity, programs, fund raising, costumes, props, sets, incidental music, sound effects, etc.

7th Period:

Play time! Improvs and theatre games!

Begin working on Act 2; pages 38 through 48. The characters needed are Argan, Lousie, and Beralde. We will try to work as far as we can through the Argan-Beralde scenes.


Friday, September 21st:

6th Period:

Theatre games. Review the scenes we worked on the day before.

Because it is still relatively early in the semester, we will not stay late this Friday, but be aware that in about two to three weeks we will HAVE to stay on Friday!

Have a great week!