CalArts Academic Assessment Plan

Transcription

1 CalArts Academic Assessment Plan School: Theater Program: Acting Degree(s): BFA, MFA Last revised by: Nataki Garrett Revision date: April 2014 I. Program Description The Acting Program at CalArts offers classically centered training with an eye toward the future, designed for preparing young artists for the performance challenges of the 21st century. The aim of this program is to guide students in becoming versatile, well- rounded theater artists who have the skills to chart their own creative and professional paths. Accordingly, the program seeks talented performers who are engaged with their imaginations, guided by their passions, and compelled to speak their stories. Reflecting the rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary performance practice, the Acting Program has moved beyond the training structures used for preparing actors for repertory theater companies. Instead, the actor of the 21st century needs to be highly versatile, able to work in any number of forms, styles and settings. This actor must be technologically literate, have a strong command of body, voice and speech, and be equally adept in theater, film, television and emerging media. The Acting Program provides comprehensive training for sophisticated actors and theater artists who make strong connections between the physical and the mental. Students in this program learn how to analyze texts, understand acting methodologies, and develop their bodies, voices, emotions and minds as instruments for performance. They also come to appreciate the value of hard work, self- discipline and accountability. In addition to coursework, acting students hone their skills by performing in studio projects, student- directed scenes and plays, and full productions directed by faculty, student directors and guest artists. During the final year in residence in both the BFA and MFA programs, students enroll in Acting Studio for the Camera, an intensive class, and also sharpen their auditioning skills. The final semester culminates with a showcase production in which graduating students perform for professionals in the theater and film industries. This intensive BFA curriculum prepares acting students for the demands of a professional acting career across all media. Our objective is to nurture visionary actors who can work on stage, film, television and in the exciting world of new media platforms. Based in classical actor training, this 4- year program focuses on the tools needed to succeed in the shifting landscape of the 21st century. Rigorous classes in acting, voice, speech, movement, and theatrical production are augmented by a wide range of performance and production experiences each tailored to the individual needs of the student. 1

2 The curriculum is structured progressively with a strong emphasis on movement and physical expression as a means to unlock the imagination. First- year students study and perform significant texts of the American canon. Focus is given to developing process and technique while expanding imagination and artistry. The second year is devoted to the study of classical text in performance. In addition, there is an increased focus on defining, developing, and deepening craft and individual vision. In the third year of training students engage the modern classics as well as contemporary and world dramatic literature. Additionally, the third and forth years are devoted to on- camera technique as well as advanced scene study all meant to address the growing importance of media to the actor. The final year is balanced between the deepening of craft and imagination and the practical preparation for a career in performance. This rigorous MFA Program is designed for advanced actors who are adventurous, imaginative, and highly motivated. It prepares students for the demands of a professional acting career across all media. The admissions process is very competitive. The curriculum focuses on all facets of the actor s art and technique. It also strives to question commonly held assumptions about theater while exploring new possibilities. Our objective is to nurture visionary actors who can work on stage, film, television and in the exciting world of new media platforms. Based in classical actor training, this 3 year program focuses on the tools needed to succeed in the shifting landscape of the 21st century. Rigorous classes in acting, voice, speech, movement, and theatrical production are augmented by a wide range of performance and production experiences each tailored to the individual needs of the student. The curriculum is structured progressively with particularly strong emphasis on movement and physical expression as a means to unlock the imagination. Additionally, the third year is devoted to on- camera technique as well as advanced scene study all meant to address the growing importance of media to the actor. The final year is balanced between the deepening of craft and imagination and the practical preparation for a career in performance. II. Student Learning Outcomes 1. The ability to transform imaginatively into a role, conveying story through mastery of body, voice and speech and through convincing interactions with objects, acting partners and space 2. The skills and knowledge to confidently approach a variety of texts and to give students a range of techniques to do so, from the classical to the most current 3. A deep and expansive individual aesthetic 4. The flexibility to adapt and respond professionally to a variety of performance conditions, media, and technologies 2

3 5. The openness to experiment in rehearsal and performance techniques, combining a mastery of traditional skills with a hunger to define the practice of the future 6. The ability to initiate and navigate interdisciplinary investigations 7. NEW - MFA students are exposed to the teaching opportunities within the BFA Acting Curriculum and through CAP through a curricular structure in which graduate students play a seminal role educating youth in local schools. III. Curriculum- Outcomes Alignment Acting BFA Curriculum Map SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5 SLO 6 T080 Theatrical Makeup X X T100 Acting Studio I X X X X X X T200 Acting Studio II X X X X X X T300 Acting Studio III X X X X X X T400A Acting for the Camera X X X X X X T400B Graduating Acting Studio X X X X X X T455 Audition/Showcase X X X X X X T105 Voice I X X T205 Voice II X X T305 Voice III X X T405 Voice/Speech IV X X T110 Speech I X X T210 Speech II X X T310 Speech III X X T115 Movement I X X T215 Movement II X X T315 Movement III X X T415 Movement IV X X T420 Dance Theater X X X X T421 Alexander Technique X X X T615C Fight Choreography X X T120 T'ai Chi Ch'uan Level 1 X X T052 Theater Run Crew X X T090 Rehearsal/Performance X X X X X X T005 Conversations in Contemporary Theater X X X CS378A Survey of World Theater - Text X X X CS379 World Theater - Performance Styles X X X CS379B World Theater - Art & Advocacy X X X CS570 History of Video Art X X X CS 158 European Studies X X X CSHM238 20th Century Modernism X X X AH020 Modern Art History X X X 3

4 F320 Film Today X X X TP213 History of Theatrical Design & Tech X X X Dance, Music, Film History course X X X Acting MFA Curriculum Map SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5 SLO 6 T500 Acting Studio V X X X X X X T600 Acting Studio VI X X X X X X T700A Acting for the Camera X X X X X X T700B Graduating Company Acting Studio X X X X X X T455A/B Audition/Showcase X X X X X X T505 Voice V X X T605 Voice VI X X T705 Voice/Speech VII X X T510 Speech V X X T610 Speech VI X X T420 Dance Theater X X X X T515 Movement V X X T615 Movement VI X X T615C Fight Choreography X X T421 Alexander Technique X X T715 Movement VII X X T827 The Performer and the Object X X X X X X T511 Directing Lab I X X X X X X T888 Playwright's Lab I X X X X X X T560 Interpretive Strategies for Plays X X T562 Interpretive Strategies for Performance X X T090 Rehearsal Performance X X X X X X T080 Theatrical Makeup X X MP220 African Dance X X T CAP Project X X IV. Mid- Residency Review and Graduation Review Methodology All students are formally reviewed twice per year, at the end of each semester. Every faculty member who works with the student meets to discuss the student s progress. The mentor then meets with each student to share the information. The mentor discusses the results of the review, gives a written evaluation from each instructor to the student, and strategies for improvement and progress are mapped out. In addition, the student s progress is discussed as needed in weekly faculty meetings. Development in all areas of a student s training is addressed in the review process: progress and commitment in all coursework, work ethic (e.g. attendance, openness to training), quality and commitment in production work, etc. Throughout the course of a student s residency, their progress is continually monitored. If the faculty has a concern about a student s work or progress in the métier, an official Letter of Concern or Notice of Academic Warning can be issued at any time. 4

5 MID- RESIDENCE REVIEWS Mid- residence review occurs at the halfway point in a student s expected term of residence at CalArts (with the exception of MFA 1 students who are reviewed at the end of their first year). In order to determine whether that student s accomplishments warrant advancement and continuation in the program, an assessment of the student s record and work in relation to the objectives of their program, as well as the student s goals, are considered. If a student is not meeting the educational and artistic standards of the program, he/she will be placed on Academic Warning, which may result in postponement of mid- residence review or dismissal from the program. For further information on reviews, warnings and grading see the CalArts Student Handbook. GRADUATION REVIEW Graduation Review is a final review of a candidate s work at CalArts. The faculty recommends graduation if the candidate has completed all academic work and has performed at the level of excellence expected. If a candidate has been placed on Academic Warning during the semester of anticipated graduation and does not meet the demands of course work or production, then the faculty may recommend that the candidate not graduate. V. Use of Review Results At the conclusion of the review, there are several possible outcomes: 1. The student is approved to graduate. 2. If the student, after having been placed on academic warning, has not satisfied the conditions for solution as laid out in the AC letter, they will not be approved to graduate. If they have satisfied the conditions, they will be removed from AC and approved to graduate. 3. The student graduation is delayed for artistic or academic reasons and is contingent upon presentation of work mutually agreed upon in the meeting. 5