THEA 301: Fundamentals of Acting
Final Scene
Spring 2002

Assignment:

Each group will prepare a scene based on the "neutral" scene assigned to you in class. The scene will ultimately be between 5 and 7 minutes in length (time it!) and will use the neutral scene as the starting point. You will continue improvisationally from the point that the text leaves off until an event has occurred and the scene comes to a clear end.

Issues to Consider:

In preparing your scenes, you will need to explore and determine the following elements as a team:

•environment: You will need to determine where you are and what is in the environment, specifically. Food and/or drink are required in most scenes. You'll need to determine specifically what it is you're eating/drinking and bring the necessary props for the scene presentation as well as any other props necessary to telling the story.

•objectives: What do each of you want? What drives the scene for each of you? Determine both a far-reaching objective (i.e., a super objective) and a more immediate objective or set of objectives for the scene that help move your toward your super objective. Your immediate objectives should change over the course of the scene as you achieve some minor objectives or are thwarted in achieving others. Make note of these and be sure to include them in your final written exercise.

•conflict: What you both want should be in opposition to each other in some way so that there is a natural tension or conflict in the scene.

•relationship(s): You need to determine your relationship to each other - including past history - as well as your relationship to anyone you talk about.

•prior circumstances: What has happened immediately prior to the action of the scene? Where have you come from? What other conditions (weather, time of day, etc.) affect your behavior?

•story: There needs to be a beginning (given to you by the text), an event (that you will create) where the conflict comes to a head, and a resolution.

•your identity: Unlike the Uta Hagen exercises and repetitions, you are not playing yourself this time. You should still be true to your specific type (i.e., don't change your sex, your age, your physical type, etc.), but you are now free to create a character who can participate in the story. Who are you? Be as specific and as thorough as possible.

Written element:

You will each need to prepare a written examination of the scene similar to the ones that you have written for the Uta Hagen exercises. Include your objective, your obstacles (internal and external) and a scenario that includes as many of the points listed above as possible from your character's point of view.

Presentation:

Each scene will be presented twice, with notes given after each initial presentation that should be addressed for the second presentation. Grades will be given for both presentations, but a special emphasis will be placed on improvement.

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