LEAVINE MUSIC THEATRE

ACTING WITH THE BODY

Fall 2021

COURSE SPECIFICS

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will explore various topics in physical theatre acting techniques in order to facilitate an
awareness of acting with the whole body
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
● Jay Brock
● jbrock@levinemusic.org
● 805-403-3479

COURSE GOALS

OBJECTIVES 
Designed to train musical theatre students to make bold character choices and confident staging decisions
in both the audition and rehearsal process. Further, the course aims to instill a sense of collaborative
creation through the dynamics of working in an ensemble environment.

At the conclusion of the course the student will have:

1) Cultivated an ability to recognize and boldly implement creative impulses.

2) Collaborated with an ensemble to create original work on stage.
3) Honed the ability to listen to another actor and respond truthfully onstage

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS

CLASS POLICIES
Attendance: Being that the majority of this class is about ensemble work and being that each class builds
on the last it is important that you attend every session during the semester.

Apparel: Classes are being conducted in a studio style of instruction and will thus be very physical in
nature requiring you to wear clothing that you can easily move in. In the long tradition of conservatory
acting training students will be required to wear black clothing without prominent patterns and logos.
Typical clothing includes dance attire, yoga pants, t-shirts, and tank tops. Unacceptable clothing includes
jeans, button down shirts, dresses, skirts, midriffs, and low cut tops, students will not be permitted to
participate with inappropriate clothing. Students will work barefoot, however socks are permitted during
idle time in class. Any jewelry that hangs or makes any kind of noise will need to be removed, long hair
must be tied back out of the face.

Behavior: You are on a journey of preparation to become a theatre professional. Class will be run in a
conservatory style with a high level of expectation, discipline, and focus. This means that no distractions
are to be brought into the working space during class such as food, phones and idle conversation.

Projects: The final class will include the creation of an ensemble based movement performance that you
will create with your group in-class and will incorporate the voice.
COURSE SCHEDULE
9/17 Introduction, Course Objectives, Expectations - discussion on the purpose of the class and the
craftsmanship of being an actor/artist. Introductory exercises.

9/24 Ensemble Inquiry 2 Introduction to ensemble

10/1 Ensemble Inquiry 3 (Using gestural languages, create a fairytale)

10/8 Ensemble Inquiry 4 (Stick paining, stick tableau, physical tableau’s)

10/15 Ensemble Inquiry 5 (Create Orpheus and Eurydice Myth)

10/22 Class taught by an outside instructor

10/29 Ensemble Inquiry 6 Flocking and introduction of final project

11/5 Final Project, devise prometheus mythFinal Project