Basic Acting Techniques

Faculty

Institute of Music

Version

Version 2 of 05.09.2024.

Module identifier

66B6303

Module level

Bachelor

Language of instruction

German

ECTS credit points and grading

10.0

Module frequency

winter- and summerterm

Duration

2 semesters

 

 

Brief description

The “Acting Basics” module teaches basic acting techniques using a variety of exercises in the group.
Starting with perception exercises and improvisation, through to fixation and the first draft of roles in order to apply what has been learned.
“Acting basics” enables students to
to use their interdisciplinary experience in improvisational and
to draw on a broader spectrum of their individual talents and to combine the skills they have learned with the content of their singing and dance lessons.
By the end of the first year of study, students should be able to mature as distinctive stage personalities and musical performers through their desire to perform, authenticity, presence and precision.

In “Speaking”, voice training exercises are used to develop the
In “Speaking”, vocal exercises are used to train the strength, fullness and integrity of the voice in everyday performance, to work on vocal color and the spectrum of the voice in order to achieve a light and undisguised expression, and to develop technical speaking skills in order to work independently on phonetics, pronunciation and comprehension when dealing with dramatic texts.
Speech lessons therefore have an effect on all of the students'
with song texts and vocal interpretation.

Teaching and learning outcomes

Acting (Musical) I:

Acting basics
- Exercises to get to know each other, group dynamic games and Training units from the field of theater sports
- Perception exercises: Self-perception with reference to the Feldenkrais method for the gradual reduction of blockages and obstructive tensions in the body, perception of the space, perception of the playing partner through leadership exercises up to elements of Tango Argentino - improvisation exercises from the first simple acting tasks to raise awareness of impulse, rhythm and time with reference to the performing “theory of elements” up to the more complex to the more complex development of entire scenes with several players.
- “Self-portrayal” Reduction of individual performing
fears, dealing with self-perception and the effect of others to build confidence and develop undisguised and
joyful play
- Understanding and disposing of emotional impulses with reference to Michael Tchechov's theory of psychological gesture
- Role development with reference to the W-questions of Jakob Jenisch
- Dealing with text - especially classical language - with reference to “the gradual production of thoughts when speaking” by Heinrich von Kleist on the synchronization of thought and language
- First monologue study in groups of two, in which the actors “direct” each other to apply what they have learned, develop comprehensible, respectful and fearless communication, train dramatic understanding and scenic intelligence.

Improvisation

- 1. perception exercises and
- 2. concentration exercises to sharpen the senses
- 3. training the permeability to absorb and reproduce impulses
of impulses
- 4. exercises for body awareness and mindfulness 5. training the dynamic and agogic ability to vary of physical means
- 6. confidence exercises, raising awareness of self-perception and perception of others
- 7. sensitization to the spatial perception of tension
- 8. establishing closeness and distance
- 9. use of body language, non-verbal communication
- 10. basics of timing
- 11. training of emotional and sensory memory
- 12. spontaneous action, situational and character-related
Acting, improvisation as a technique for creating roles,
improvisation methods and techniques.

Speaking (musical) I:

- Teaching the connections between voice and body
- Voice training to develop vocal fit and strength in order to achieve credible expression
- Training for the intact use of the voice in everyday performance
everyday life
- Development of phonetic basics and pronunciation rules,
- Sensitization of functional hearing,
- Introduction to linguistic composition,
- choral speaking and rhythmic speech formation.

Overall workload

The total workload for the module is 300 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
Lecturer independent learning
Hours of workloadType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
Graded examination
  • Written examination or
  • Examination of artistic qualification
Ungraded exam
  • Regular participation or
  • Work written, medial or
  • Work practical or
  • Work medial
Remark on the assessment methods

The course Acting (Musical) I ends with one of the specified ungraded examinations.
The course Speaking (Musical) I ends with a written examination or a graded artistic examination.  

The choice of graded and ungraded examination types from the given options is the responsibility of the respective teacher. In doing so, they must adhere to the applicable study regulations.

Exam duration and scope

See current study regulations. 

Knowledge Broadening

Students who have successfully completed this module have acquired basic knowledge of acting with reference to various trends in acting theory and are able to create roles authentically and excitingly and to contribute independently and well-foundedly to scenic works.
Speech lessons enable participants to apply the basics of phonetics and comprehensible stage language in a large space and at a distance, i.e. to address people in a targeted manner and to achieve clear expression through knowledge of the connections between breathing and voice placement.

Knowledge deepening

Students who have successfully completed this module will have come into contact with all the current methods of acting teaching of the last two centuries and will therefore be able to find their own original acting expression from a mixture of different elements and approaches.
find their own original acting expression. Are due to the higher sensitization of physical
processes, impulse control, trained perception and the
application of various acting methods, they are able to develop from
unconscious talent to use their body specifically as an instrument
instrument and use it as a reliable source of acting creativity and
creativity and reproducibility.

Knowledge Understanding

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to apply professional basics and techniques and combine them with other teaching content from singing and dance.

Application and Transfer

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to use their body as an instrument and as a reliable source of performing creativity and reproducibility due to their increased awareness of physical processes, impulse control, trained perception and application of various acting methods.

Academic Innovation

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to apply and further develop techniques independently and thus arrive at a clear reflection of their own artistic work and productive rehearsal processes.

Communication and Cooperation

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to communicate respectfully, purposefully and precisely on the basis of constant reflection in the group, critical exchange and description of scene, effect and behavior.

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism

Students who have successfully completed this module are able to apply their own scenic development and linguistic and playful skills easily and confidently in everyday professional life.

Literature

Zur Verwendung im Unterricht: Grunds?tzlich ist die Besch?ftigung mit dramatischer Literatur notwendig, um die Rollen- und Szenenarbeit des Studiums vorzubereiten. Zur Vertiefung der Lernergebnisse wird folgende Lektüre empfohlen: 1. Bernd Stegemann (Hrsg.): Stanislawski Reader, Henschel Verlag 20071 2. Michail A. Cechov: Die Kunst des Schauspielers, Verlag Urachhaus, 1990. 3. Margarethe Schuler, Stephanie Harrer: Grundlagen der Schauspielkunst, Leipzig (Henschel) 2011. 4. Yoshi Oida: Der unsichtbare Schauspieler, Alexander Verlag. 5. Yoshi Oida: Die Tricks eines Schauspielers, Alexander Verlag, 2009  5. David Mamet: Richtig und falsch, Alexander Verlag, 2001.  6. Barbara und Stanley Walden: Life upon the wicked stage, Kallmeyer Verlag 1978. 7. Radim Vlcek: Workshop Improvisationstheater, Auer Verlag, 2013, 8. Gerhard Ebert, Rudolf Penka: Schauspielen, Henschel Verlag 1998 9. Jakob Jenisch: Szenische spielfindung, Maternus Verlag, 1995 10. Marianne Miami Anderson: Theatersport, Buschfunk Verlag 1996 11. Keith Johnstone: Improvisation und Theater, Alexander Verlag: 1993 12. Heinz Finkowski: Sprecherzieherisches Elementarbuch, De Gruyter Verlag. 16. Julius Hey: Die Kunst des Sprechens, Mainz: Schott Verlag, 2017. 17. Heinrich von Kleist: ?ber das Marionettentheater, Stuttgart: Reclam Verlag, 2013.

Linkage to other modules

The module enables access to one's own artistic power and serves to develop a credible and unmistakable stage personality. The module also prepares students for the advanced module “Scenic Design Forms”. 

Applicability in study programs

  • Music Education
    • Music Education – Musical B.A. (01.09.2020)

    Person responsible for the module
    • Wienhausen, Sascha
    Teachers
    • Behrens, Judith
    • Riebeling, Roland