Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

BFA Professional Portfolio-F25

THEA 4412-01

Course: THEA 4412-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30669

Course Description

A studio course which develops student audition technique and performance skills, professional portfolio elements, and develop their network with industry professionals and organizations, with emphasis on placement in the theatrical job market or graduate program while also serving to develop content and materials for the BFA Showcase course. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): THEA 3033 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): BFA Acting or Musical Theatre majors Only. Instructor reserves the right to edit, alter, or revise this syllabus at any time during the semester. 

Required Texts

No text books are required for this course, however, because the thrust of the work depends greatly on monologue, song, and/or scene preparation for Individual Auditions and BFA Showcase prep. It is left up to the student to choose whether these scripts are purchased or borrowed from the library.

Access to a computer and/or device that will keep you current on all CANVAS postings and assignments.

Attire: Students are required to wear comfortable and modest clothes and footwear that will accommodate freedom of movement. AUDITION WARDROBE MAY BE REQUIRED FROM TIME TO TIME ON SELECT AUDITION DAYS.

Learning Outcomes

Successful students will complete this course demonstrating mid to upper level mastery in the following learning outcomes:

1. Develop, enhance, and present all professional portfolio elements in digital, verbal, and written presentation.
2. Establish, cultivate, and demonstrate the ability to navigate and network in their post-undergraduate/professional career. 
3. Demonstrate mid to upper level mastery of advanced performance and audition skills, script devising/writing, self-assessment, and self-correction for continued learning and growth in their professional process and career.

These outcomes will be reinforced through instruction, at home practice, and formative assessment. Students’ efforts will be summatively assessed via a number of interrelated classroom activities, assignments, and research projects, as indicated below:

1. Class workshops & lectures, professional guest feedback, and audition portfolio/materials assessment and critique.
2. Conversations/lectures w/ working professionals; Foundations of "networking"; Industry communication.
3. Regularly scheduled audition performances, with analysis and feedback. Creating, devising, workshopping, and writing 10-minute scripts for spring BFA Perfomance Capstones. 

Course Requirements

UNITS OF STUDY
Learning to “Be your Own Voice.” How to present your product – YOU!
  • What are you prepared to do?
  • Networking – You've been doing it; you just don't know it yet!
  • Discussions with Working Professionals. (Guest Artists TBA)
  • What to expect, and how to navigate in the "real" world.

Sharpening and Gaining Confidence in your Audition Skills (PRO).
  • Preparing & Performing Auditions with Regularity.
  • Receiving Regular Critical Feedback and Tips for Success.
  • Organizing your Audition Portfolio/Materials.

Students will Create, Develop, and Write a One-Person Spring 2025 BFA Showcase 10-Minute Capstone (to be Rehearsed and Performed, Spring 2026) incorporating the following:             
  • A Story Arc consisting of 3 Acts (Introduction, Body, Resolution);
  • Monologue(s)-Original and/or Existing;
  • Song(s);
  • a Movement or Dance Component.

Course Outline

FALL 2025 COURSE SCHEDULE

1. Wednesday, August 27
Overview of our Schedule – What are you prepared to do? 
The idea of a One-Person, 10-Minute Capstone!
Assignment for Friday: A Story in Monologue from your Life in the Theatre.
Thursday, August 28 – TDAA Major's Meeting – 5pm in the Adams Theatre (FREE PIZZA!)

2. Friday, August 29
Performance: A Story in Monologue from your Life in the Theatre.
Assignment for next Wednesday: Audition #1-Your Best Contemporary Monologue
(Please send current Headshots & Resumes PDFs!)

Monday, September 1
LABOR DAY – NO CLASSES 

3. Wednesday, September 3
Audition #1: Your Best Contemporary Monologue

4. Friday, September 5

Lecture: Audition #1 Feedback/Working on “Being Present.”
5. Monday, September 8
SPECIAL GUEST #1: TBA
(Discussion on Professional Career in Theatre, Audition Tips & Advice)
Assignment for Wednesday: Audition #2-Your Best Broadway-Style Song. 
BFA Musical ONLY (BFA Acting give feedback)

6. Wednesday, September 10
Audition #2: Your Best Broadway-Style Song (MUST PROVIDE MP3 TRACK)
BFA Musical ONLY (BFA Acting give feedback)

7. Friday, September 12
Lecture: Audition #2 Feedback/Tips on “Acting a Song.”

8. Monday, September 15
Seminar: Assessing & Discussing Headshots & Resumes. 

9. Wednesday, September 17
Lecture #1: Elements of Solo Performance.

10. Friday, September 19
SPECIAL GUEST #2: TBA
(Discussion on Professional Career in Theatre, Audition Tips & Advice)

11. Monday, September 22
Workshop #1: Improvised Exploration of Themes

12. Wednesday, September 24
Workshop #2: Roasts & Eulogies

13. Friday, September 26
SPECIAL GUEST #3: TBA
(Discussion on Professional Career in Theatre, Audition Tips & Advice)

14. Monday, September 29
Lecture #2: Examining the Showcase Capstone Template
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

15. Wednesday, October 1
Workshop #3A: The First 3 Minutes of your Showcase (Part 1)
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

Friday, October 3
HIGH SCHOOL SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION - NO CLASSES

16. Monday, October 6
Workshop #3B: The First 3 Minutes of your Showcase (Part 2)
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

AUDITIONS for TDAA SPRING SHOWS – Mon & Tues, Oct 6 & 7 from 4pm-9pm, 
CALLBACKS – Wed thru Sat, Oct 8-11, Times TBA .

17. Wednesday, October 8
Workshop #3C: The First 3 Minutes of your Showcase (Part 3)
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

18. Friday, October 10
Discussion: How are we doing with our Showcases? Assessment/Feedback
Assignment for Wednesday: Audition #5-Your Best Shakespeare Verse Piece. 
BFA Acting ONLY (BFA Musical give feedback)

Monday, October 13 & Tuesday, October 14
FALL BREAK – NO CLASSES

19. Wednesday, October 15
Audition #3: Your Best Shakespeare Verse Piece
BFA Acting ONLY (BFA Musical give feedback)
Audition #3 Feedback will be provided online.
Assignment for Friday: Audition #4: A Contrasting Monologue (something newly prepared)

20. Friday, October 17
Audition #4: A Contrasting Monologue – Something Newly Prepared
Audition #4 Feedback will be provided online.
MID TERM – CONTINUE TO DEVELOP CONTENT FOR YOUR SHOWCASES
Assignment for Monday: Workshop #4A: The Middle 3 Minutes, Part 2-The Body of your Showcase (Part 1).

21. Monday, October 20
Workshop #4A: The Middle 3 Minutes, Part 2-The Body of your Showcase (Pt 1)
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

22. Wednesday, October 22
Workshop #4B: The Middle 3 Minutes, Part 2-The Body of your Showcase (Pt 2)
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

23. Friday, October 24
Workshop #4C: The Middle 3 Minutes, Part 2-The Body of your Showcase (Pt 3)
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)
Assignment for Monday: Audition #5: A Duet or Scene (some for possible Showcase consideration)

24. Monday, October 27
Audition #5: A Duet or Scene (MUST PROVIDE MP3 TRACK, if needed)

25. Wednesday, October 29
Discussion: Sorting out the Showcases. Starting to Lock in Content. 
Discuss What Works and What Doesn’t.

26. Friday, October 31
Class Time to Brainstorm BFA Showcase Scripts and Content.
Assignment for next Monday: Workshop #5A: The Resolution of your Showcase (Part 1)

27. Monday, November 3
Workshop #5A: The Resolution of you Showcase (Part 1)                           
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

28. Wednesday, November 5
Workshop #5B: The Resolution of you Showcase (Part 2)                           
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

29. Friday, November 7
Workshop #5C: The Resolution of you Showcase (Part 3)                         
(Capstone Showcases will breakdown into 3 Acts: Introduction, Body & Resolution.)

30. Monday, November 10
Discussion: Working in Detail Sessions-Strategies & Schedule.

31. Wednesday, November 12
Working in Detail (3 Showcases TBD) 
Three Assigned Performers Walk-Thru their Showcases in Detail & Speed.
Those not performing watch & give constructive input.

32. Friday, November 14
Working in Detail (3 Showcases TBD) 
Three Assigned Performers Walk-Thru their Showcases in Detail & Speed.
Those not performing watch & give constructive input.

33. Monday, November 17
Working in Detail (3 Showcases TBD) 
Three Assigned Performers Walk-Thru their Showcases in Detail & Speed.
Those not performing watch & give constructive input.

34. Wednesday, November 19
Working in Detail (3 Showcases TBD) 
Three Assigned Performers Walk-Thru their Showcases in Detail & Speed.
Those not performing watch & give constructive input.

35. Friday, November 21
Working in Detail (3 Showcases TBD) 
Three Assigned Performers Walk-Thru their Showcases in Detail & Speed.
Those not performing watch & give constructive input.

Monday, November 24 - Friday, November 28
THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASSES

36. Monday, December 1
Working in Detail (2 Showcases TBD) 
Two Assigned Performers Walk-Thru their Showcases in Detail & Speed. 
Those not performing watch & give constructive input.

37. Wednesday, December 3
Working in Detail (2 Showcases TBD) 
Two Assigned Performers Walk-Thru their Showcases in Detail & Speed. 
Those not performing watch & give constructive input.

38. Friday, December 5
Completion/Discussion Day – Performance Showcase Scripts DUE!
Last Day of Classes!

Monday, December 8 – Thursday, December 11
FINAL EXAM WEEK – NO FINAL FOR THIS CLASS.

PLEASE NOTE:  THE ABOVE SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

GRADING CRITERIA
Your grade will be based on the quality of your performance in the following areas:
  • The quality of your participation;
  • The level at which you master the material presented;
  • The manner of your attitude and commitment to the work; 
  • The quality of your work in relation to your peers;
  • The significance of your growth throughout the course of the semester;
  • The quality with which you complete specific assignments both performance and written;

YOU WILL BE GRADED BY PERCENTAGE POINTS ON CANVAS DURING THE SEMESTER COVERING THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: 
Preparation (How ready you are to do the work)        
Effort: Participation/Attentiveness & Attitude in class    
Participation Workshop exercises 
Performance in Monologues, Final Scenes and/or Final Group Project
All Written and Exam work 

GRADING POLICY
As you can see, grading will be as precise and by the book, with as little subjectivity as possible.  However, we are human beings, and your attendance, initiative, enthusiasm, and willingness to explore unfamiliar ground will go a long way in the determination of your final grade. At the end of the semester, grades will be averaged and weighted as indicated above, and students’ final grades will be determined based on SUU Canvas grading percentages rubric.

Attendance Policy

TDAA ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. A student is allotted THREE (3) unexcused absences (for classes meeting TWO DAYS per week) or FOUR (4) unexcused absences (for classes meeting THREE DAYS per week). Following the allotted unexcused absences for a specific course, each additional unexcused absence will incur a half-letter grade deduction from a student’s cumulative grade as outlined below:
0 additional unexcused absences: A 
1 additional unexcused absence:   A- 
2 additional unexcused absences: B 
3 additional unexcused absences: C+ 
4 additional unexcused absences: C- 
5 additional unexcused absences: D
6 additional unexcused absences: F

In addition to attendance, grades are contingent upon the completion and quality of all other course requirements as outlined by the professor. For purposes of grading, no distinction between excused and unexcused absences (excluding recognized religious holidays and approved university functions) as absenteeism affects the progress of the entire class.
If you know you will be absent in advance, please notify your professor.

Tardiness: If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered “tardy.” Three instances of tardiness to a class will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy. Students who are habitually late to courses will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Please Note: Missing class and neglecting to inquire about information for the missed lesson, reflects poorly on your participation and effort. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY when you are absent to make up the missed lesson. Make an appointment to see the instructor during office hours, or ask a fellow classmate to fill you in on what you've missed – do whatever is necessary to MAKE THE EFFORT TO SHOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN YOUR EDUCATION AND THE COURSE.

If you are absent on a day that you have a solo performance or presentation we will try to make it up at a later date. However, time is precious, so THIS CANNOT BE PROMISED and may need to be recorded or result in a lower grade.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.