Drama 353: Archetypes Course Description - Have you ever felt in your acting you were playing with only a part of a full orchestra, or with just a few colors in the box of Crayola crayons? Are there roles that you have never played that you wish for a way to dive into? Welcome to the world of Archetypes. Through specific vocal, physical, and imaginative journeys, we will explore the essences of Archetypes found in myth and legend from many diverse cultures. As actor training, it can offer a pathway into character development, and a portal into the art of transformation for the actor. The work will be applied to monologues and/or songs.  

University of Washington School of Drama. Spring Quarter 2023 Drama353A Archetypes Syllabus

Associate Teaching Professor Bridget Connors, Designated Linklater Voice Teacher

Email: connorsb@uw.edu Office Hours: by appointment , online or 215 Hutchinson

 Course Description:-Acting and Singing with Archetypes is a method of training developed by Frankie Armstrong and Janet B Rodgers. It combines physicality, voice, impulse and imagination to enhance character development, heighten performance intuition, expand the imagination, and offers a pathway into the art of transformation for the actor. The Archetypes that we will be exploring are the essences of stories, myths and legends from many diverse cultures. Students are led through imaginative journeys in exploring each Archetype, which is followed by reflection and discussion. The work will culminate with the application of archetypes to dramatic text, song, poetry and improvisation.

Learning objectives:

• Discover multiple ways of exploring a text, character and acting process.
• Stretch yourself and increase your range and versatility as an actor: physically, vocally, and imaginatively.
• Increase your sense of ensemble from the group warm-up activities and the Archetypal journeys.
• Unlock overall creative potential.

Listed Topics:

• Preparatory voice and body exercises
• Storytelling thru the Archetype journeys
• Reflection work thru paired and group discussions, writing, scrapbook/journals
• Application of the work to monologues /songs/poetry/improvisation

Assessment tools: Observation of student learning to assess content, skills and knowledge thru: daily exercises, written assignments, self-assessment, text based performance showings. Course grade is evaluated on the following:

* Class Expectations: Your work in class, completion of assignments, participation within the ensemble and commitment to class expectations will factor into your final grade.

Participation: Students are expected to be in class, on time, and prepared to work. If you are unable to be in class due to extenuating circumstances, please notify me via email prior to class. This class is an acting laboratory. The learning is experiential and happens during class. Participation in all class exercises and discussion is expected. Absences and tardiness will lower your overall participation grade.

Assignments. Come prepared. Completion of assigned journals, readings/homework, memorization, out of class rehearsal, performance and class material learned fully and ready as assigned. Review class exercises outside of class as each class will build upon the last class. Late assignments will not be accepted unless a prior arrangement has been made with me. Specific assignment details to be discussed in class regarding Archetype portfolios. It is important that you reflect consistently about your experience with the Archetype work. In addition to in class written reflection, you are expected to write further outside of class about your discoveries and how you are assimilating this work in other classes and performances.

Stay engaged. Stay engaged in class as an actor and audience member as it directly influences the work of everyone in the class and will directly influence your participation points. Courage and risk taking, creativity, a spirit of willingness and imaginative preparation will support your level of engagement, depth of insight and passion for expression. Students are expected to participate in discussions and to be attentive and focused while instructor and others are working. Respectful and professional conduct, positive and constructive participation displayed consistently.

Attire/phones: dress to move, loose clothing, no hats, jewelry, cell phones off in class.                                      

Evaluation: (Grading is based on a 1000 point scale/see Grading scale, attached):

 Participation:    30 %    300 points

Daily class exercises, adhere to class expectations/ active and willing participation. *

Assignments: Specific assignment details to be discussed in class

 Portfolios: 30 %   300 points

Personal archetype presentation  10%   100 points    

Performance work:   30%       300 points

  Monologue/song/text based applications             

Total Points :                 1000 points       

Access and Accommodations: If you have already established accommodations with DRS, please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts) you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disabilily.uw.edu.

 Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy.

Please let me know if I can be of help in any way during these challenging times. Additionally, the university has resources for health and wellness and are available. If you feel the need, you can reach out to resources on the UW Seattle campus. https://wellbeing.uw.edu/topic/mental-health/.  

Academic Integrity: Please refer to the Bachelor’s Degree Planbook for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Student Conduct Code to learn what behaviors constitute academic misconduct and applicable penalties (i.e. plagiarism).

Grading Scale

The grading scale for this class is based on a 1000-point system. The 1000-point system is then converted into the University’s grade-point system as outlined below:

A 4 950-1000 points                  C+ 2.2 720-729.9

A 3.9 940-949.9                          C 2.1 710-719.9

A- 3.8 930-939.9                         C 2 700-709.9

A- 3.7 920-929.9                         C 1.9 690-699.9

A- 3.6 910-919.9                         C- 1.8 680-689.9

A- 3.5 900-909.9                         C- 1.7 670-679.9

B+ 3.4 880-899.9                        C- 1.6 660-669.9

B+ 3.3 860-879.9                        C- 1.5 650-659.9

B+ 3.2 840-859.9                        D+ 1.4 640-649.9

B 3.1 820-839.9                          D+ 1.3 630-639.9

B 3 800-819.9                             D+ 1.2 620-629.9

B 2.9 790-799.9                          D 1.1 610-619.9

B- 2.8 780-789.9                         D 1 600-609.9

B- 2.6 760-769.9                         D- 0.8 580-589.9

B- 2.5 750-759.9                         D- 0.7 570-579.9; Lowest passing grade.

C+ 2.4 740-749.9                        F 0 0-569.9; Failure or Unofficial

C+ 2.3 730-739.9                        Withdrawal; no credit earned.

Inspirations:

“Art convenes. It is not just inspirational. It is aspirational. It pricks the walls of our compartmentalized minds, opens our hearts and makes us brave.” Anna Deavere Smith

“ I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories…. Water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.”   Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

“Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You cannot get there by bus, only by hard work, risking, and by not quite knowing what you are doing. What you will discover will be wonderful; yourself.”  Alan Alda

I look forward to the journeys…

Enjoy!

Bridget Connors