DAN 116 - Movement for Actors

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Practical study of movement fundamentals, body awareness, physical intention and nonverbal communication related to the beginning acting process. Principles of the use of time, weight, space and energy and their application are explored along with an introduction to somatics, Laban effort/shape theory and contact improvisation. This course is cross-listed and identical in both Dance and Theater.

Prerequisite(s): THA 132 or permission of dance coordinator or department chair.

Crosslisted: Also offered as THA 116 ; credit is not given for both DAN 116 and THA 116 .

Note: Typically offered at MC; fall and spring terms.

Course Outcomes:

Demonstrate increased body awareness and expressive qualities.
- Implement acquired knowledge of one’s body to become a more effective, expressive tool on stage.
- Employ the movement skills and awareness of one’s limitations to the best of one’s ability.
Combine efforts on creative process with regards to accepting input, meeting goals and respectively interacting with peers.
- Employ acquired knowledge to assigned in-class projects with peers
- Exchange views and opinions regarding choices made in the given assignments
- Utilize learned creative movement methods to best suit given situations.
Demonstrate an elementary awareness and practical application of Laban Effort/Shape Theory to the acting process.
- Utilize effort/shape terms to describe the feeling that is required of the movement.
- Demonstrate the directed movement with the knowledge of the Laban terminology in movement projects.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively without using vocal accompaniment/text.
- Apply movement phrases to accommodate the needs of the scene.
- Utilize the body or bodies on stage to convey the message by movement rather than words.
Exchange thoughtful, constructive feedback with peers
- Accept the friendly feedback from peers in the class.
- Convey thoughts and observations to peers in class.
Develop a working vocabulary of movement terms to assist the acting process.
- Acquaint self with the vocabulary taught in the classroom…Laban Effort/Shape terminology and other helpful, descriptive terms.
- Practice verbal description and motor skills.
- Increase range of motor skills, knowledge of motor applications and the proper terminology.
Demonstrate ability to create short movement studies that embody each topic covered in class.
- Administer acquired knowledge and practice scenarios in class.
- Utilize movement patterns effectively.