Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Acting I: Introduction to Acting (Face-to-Face)

THEA 1033-02

Course: THEA 1033-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Theatre, Dance, & Arts Admin
CRN: 30310

Course Description

An intensive studio approach to introduce the student to the basic principles of acting and its artistry through vocal and physical awareness, character development, and analysis. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Acting, Musical Theatre, Theatre Arts, Theatre Arts Education, and Theatre Design & Production majors or Theatre Minors only; Intensive English Program majors may not enroll.

This course is designed to introduce the beginning actor to the fundamental vocabulary, skills and concepts of acting. Through observation exercises, theatre games, improvisation, simple text analysis and scene work, the course will serve as a foundation for all future performance courses. This course is an examination of the actor’s role in making compelling theatre. 

Required Texts

Required Texts & Materials

Textbook
  • Acting One by Robert Cohen, Fifth Edition (purchase required)

Acting Scripts
  • The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (found in Canvas)
  • Additional Plays TBD, see note below on material selection

Materials
  • Highlighter & Pencil
  • Notebook/paper for notes (I recommend having a dedicated Acting Journal)
  • Folder to hold your scripts
  • The ability to access Canvas daily

A note on play/material selection:
Our acting scripts will be sourced from a variety of contemporary plays that have yet to be determined. You will sometimes choose your own material (your monologue), you will sometimes have material assigned to you (your final scene). Regardless of how your material is chosen, you will need to find and read the play in its entirety.  This will require good time management and in some cases funds to purchase individual plays. 
You will never be assigned acting material that you need to pay for. If there is a play you are interested in using but cost is of concern, please talk to me so we can investigate all options.


Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, successful students will:
  1. Demonstrate habits of punctuality, dependability, collaboration, and coach-ability.
  2. Develop an awareness of themselves as expressive instruments for performance.
  3. Articulate, and demonstrate in performance, the foundational principles of acting and terminology. Including objectives, tactics, relationships, obstacles, truthful moment-to-moment action, and the concept of “immediacy” or “being in the moment.
  4. Analyze dramatic texts to uncover playable choices and character intentions.
  5. Evaluate their artistic development through thoughtful reflection and self-assessment.

These outcomes will be reinforced through instruction, at home practice, and formative assessment. Students’ efforts will be assessed via a number of interrelated performances, workshops and written assignments.

Course Requirements

Course Requirements 

Performance & In Class Assignments:
  • Poetry Performance: Select, prepare, and perform a poem, focusing on vocal and physical storytelling.
  • Chapter Readings: Complete assigned readings before class and come prepared to participate in discussion and activities.
  • Audition Assignment: Prepare a monologue and audition for the Directing Classes.
  • First Read Assignment: Arrive with a printed script, highlighted lines, and a strong understanding of the text for table work.
  • Contemporary Monologue: Select, memorize, and perform a contemporary monologue, applying techniques explored in class.
  • Undirected Scene Rehearsal Performance: Perform a scene from The Glass Menagerie for the class after participating in off-site rehearsals with your partner.
  • Final Scene Performance: Rehearse a scene from a contemporary play and perform it for the class. 


Written & Canvas Assignments:

  • Production Viewings: See 3 productions total (1 USF and 2 Mainstage TDAA productions) and submit proof of attendance for each.
  • Production Response: Choose 1 of the productions to focus on and submit a written response analyzing the performance.
  • GOTE Sheets: Complete Goal, Obstacle, Tactics, and Expectation analyses for both the monologue and scene assignments.
  • Monologue Reflection: Reflect on your growth and process during the monologue unit, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Written Midterm Exam: Complete an online assessment covering course concepts and terminology.
  • Final Scene Reflection: Evaluate your work on the final scene project, discussing your artistic growth and collaborative process. 

Course Outline

Course Outline 


Below is a general outline of the anticipated schedule of weekly topics, readings and major assignments.

This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor as determined by the needs of the class. Any changes will be communicated in a timely manner. Always check Canvas for the most current version.


Week (Dates & Notes) [section from Acting One by Robert Cohen]  
    Day of the Week | Major Activities | Readings or Assignments

  • Week 1 (9/2 - 9/4) Part I Preparation for Acting 
    • W | Introductions, Flag Exercise + Syllabus Review | Find a Poem 
    • Fri | Present Poem | Read Lessons 1&2

  • Week 2 (9/9 - 9/1, Labor Day) Part II The Actor’s Approach 
    • W | Preparing for Acting/What is Acting? Relaxation, Trust, Exuberance | Read Lesson 3
    • F | Goal and Obstacle | Monologue Search

  • Week 3 (9/14 -9/18) Part II Cont.
    • M | Acting with the other| Read Lesson 4
    • W | CharacterTactics | 
    • F | Monologues - inventing the Other 

  • Week 4 (9/21 -9/15)  | Part II Cont. 
    • M | Beginning to Act | Read Lesson 5
    • W | continued | Monologue Due
    • F | Tactics | Read Lesson 6&7

  • Week 5 (9/28 -10/2 *HSSC*) | Part II Cont. 
    • M | Tactics Cont. | Read Lesson 8 GOTE & Fill out Form
    • W | Expectations | Read Lesson 9

  • Week 6 (10/5 -10/9) | Part III The Actor’s Tasks 
    • M | Perform Monologues | Lesson 9 
    • W | Menagerie Scenes | Undirected Scenes for Friday | Read Lessons 10 & 11
    • F | Undirected Rehearsal Scene Presentations  | Mono GOTE Due
       
  • Week 7 (10/12 -16 *Spring Auditions / Directing 1 Auditions) Part III Cont 
    • M | Group Warm Up/Audition Talk | 
    • W | Staging the Scene & Choices | Read Lesson 12
    • F | Performing | Read 13 (Performing) and  Lesson 14 (Evaluation and Improvement)

  • Week 8 (10/21-23 Midterms ) | Part III Cont  
    • NC - Mon  
    • W | Monologue Performance | Reflection due by midnight 
    • F | Canvas Midterm

  • Week 9 (10/26 - 30) Part IV The Actor’s Instrument
    • M | The Actor’s Voice (15/16/17) | Read 15-18
    • W | The Actor’s Body 
    • F | The Actor’s Body Cont. 

  • Week 10 (11/2 - 11/6) | Part IV Cont 
    • M | 19 - Voice and Body Integration | Read 19-21
    • W | 20 - Imagination and Creativity | Scene Check in 
    • F | 21 - Emotion - and Acting Theory | 

  • Week 11 (11/9 - 13)  | Part V The Actor’s Technique 
    • M | Phrasing | Read 22-24
    • W | Attack | 
    • F | Follow- Through | 

  • Week 12 (11/16 - 20)  | Part V Cont 
    • M | Line - Linkage | Read 25-27
    • W | Scene Structure | 
    • F | Building A Scene | SCENE GOAT DUE

  • Week 13 (11/23-27) THANKSGIVING BREAK NO CLASS  

  • Week 14 (11/20-12/4)
    • M | In Class Rehearsal - First Reads TBD 
    • W | In Class Rehearsal 
    • F | In Class Rehearsal 

  • Week 15 (12/7-12/11)
    • M | In Class Rehearsals - Notes TBD 
    • W | In Class Rehearsals - Notes TBD
    • F | In Class Rehearsals - Notes TBD  

  • Week 16 (12/14-18) FINALS WEEK 
    • Final Scene Performances
      • Wednesday December 16th 9:00am - 10:50am | Final Performance Reflection & Mainstage Reflection Due



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

Late Submissions
Written assignments turned in after the deadline will be penalized 10% per day (not class period) that they are late unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor before the assignment deadline.

Performance Expectations
Performance dates are hard deadlines. When they occur you are expected to be present and prepared. Do not make the mistake of thinking that “getting through it” or that remembering all of your lines is enough. It is not. 

Missed Performances
The rescheduling of a missed performance due to an unexcused absence will be evaluated on a case by case basis. As a result potential grade lowering may occur and will be entirely at the discretion of the instructor. 

It is no small thing to miss a performance, do everything you can to avoid this. If you cannot, speak to the instructor beforehand so an appropriate plan can be made.


Attendance Policy

Attendance
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel or religious exemption. You are allowed 4 unexcused absences for the entirety of the semester. Each absence after 4 will result in a 33.333 (or one-third) point deduction in your attendance and participation grade. If you negate your total attendance and participation grade, your final grade will continue to decline by 1/3 of a letter grade as per the TDAA Student Handbook. 

3 Tardies = 1 unexcused absence, see Tardiness policy below.

Tardiness
If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered “tardy.” Leaving class early unexcused will also count as tardy. Three instances of tardiness will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy. 

Students who are habitually late to class will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Course Fees

No Course Fees.

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.