Acting/Scene Study Technique

CAP21 takes pride in its ability to determine the strengths and needs of each incoming class. Therefore, each class will move as slowly or as quickly as necessary through the curriculum. In the first semester of first year, actors work on being present. They learn the value of a warm-up: how to recognize and release unnecessary tension, how to connect to their breath, and how to correct bad habits so they can be relaxed, energized and focused at any time. That awareness is applied to partner and group exercises in a way that allows the actor to see, hear and respond simply and clearly to given circumstances. Each actor will then work on a scene utilizing the natural tools of the actor  Presence, Memory, Sensory Awareness, Imagination, Research and Text Analysis  in order to create the world, the relationships and the story of the play. In the second semester, the acting work will divide into two segments: improvisation and scene study. In Improvisation, the actor works on storytelling, collaboration, affecting the other actor, and spontaneous behavior in given circumstances. This will also include workshops such as mask class and clown. In Scene Study, the actor continues to sharpen his/her craft and rehearsal technique by working on scenes from the works of Chekhov, 20th Century American Masters, and challenging contemporary authors.

Second Year expands and deepens the work learned in first year with continued technique and scene work. In the first semester, a  character workshop helps the actor create characters who are large, eccentric and truthful. These lessons will be applied to a comedy scene. The second semester begins with scene work from the language and metaphor rich worlds of Shakespeare. A final scene will utilize one of the dialects learned in Voice and Speech class. The Voice and Speech class and acting class will both incorporate work on monologues.

Finding monologue material, creating the piece for the audition and taking adjustments within the audition are addressed in the monologues course in the 4th semester.  Work on Cold Readings teaches the actor to make strong acting choices the first time they read text in an audition.

Musical Scene Study

The actor takes all the tools and insights from Acting, Scene Study, Voice and Speech, Vocal Technique, Vocal Performance, Dance and Movement into the work on musical scenes. This acting class builds a foundation in acting a musical scene by working on the Rodgers and Hammerstein canon (South Pacific, King and I, Carousel, Oklahoma, and Sound of Music) and continues with selections from the Golden Age (e.g., Guys and Dolls, Gypsy) and includes current trends in musical theater (e.g., Next to Normal, Spring Awakening, In The Heights). The year long Musical Scene Study class is where students  put it all together.

Vocal Performance

This course synthesizes skills of Vocal Technique, Acting and musicality in the actor s performance of a song as monologue or scene. The actor will analyze text, create character and environment, use advanced acting techniques (personalization, intention, obstacle, stakes, and tactics), and learn how the musical construction of a song supports the journey of the actor and the journey of the song. Actors will explore a variety of styles in their material to include work on contemporary musical theatre selections as well as standards (Pre-1960 as well as Post-1960). Actors will explore a variety of material both in context and out of context (songs from a book musical as well as songs without a back story). Each section will research a composer and create a performance honoring this composer (Composer Project 2nd Semester).

The objective of this class is to teach the skills and techniques of efficient vocal production (speaking voice) and to correct regionalisms and master the sounds of Neutral American speech. A primary element of the work is the utilization of highly physical exercises involving the entire body to establish the actor s connection between movement and sound. In the First Year, students will be introduced to the sounds of Neutral American Speech, which is accomplished by learning the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).  The course emphasizes:

• body alignment
• efficient muscular effort to produce discrete phonemes
• extending the actor’s pitch range
• use of melody to communicate ideas
• use of center pitch (optimum pitch) to find a presence of tone
• application of all of these skills in lifting literature off the page to performance 
• make correct shapes for vowels
• strengthen articulation
• eliminate regionalisms 

In the second year, students will strengthen the connection between text analysis, physical action, and strong acting choices. During the fall semester, students will work on the common dialects used in Musical Theatre. In the spring semester, using individual monologues, students refine the skills of creating a character, sense of period and efficient vocal production in direct connection to all techniques of acting especially when using the voice at high emotional states of being.

The objective of the Vocal Technique class is to improve singing skills through specific exercises and songs. Technical skills addressed: 

These skills will be practiced using Musical Theater songs which require the most common Musical Theatre sounds: legit, mix and belt. In-class performances offer actors an opportunity to learn to manage adrenaline and apply their Musical Theater singing skills.

This one on one experience is an essential component to the student s vocal progress. It serves to enhance the actor s understanding of his/her technique. Technical skills introduced in the Vocal Technique class will be polished in private voice lessons. Each student is assigned a teacher to facilitate their individual technical development. The course includes vocal exercises and application of technique to material the actor is using in class work, i.e. Vocal Technique, Vocal Performance, and Musical Scene Study. Actors will meet with their private voice teacher weekly (12 hours total) during the semester.

Upon entrance into the program, students take a two-part placement exam (written and sight singing of melodies) to determine their placement in an appropriate level of study. Levels range from beginner to advanced. The objective of the Music Theory class is to build the actor s skills in reading music in order to learn music efficiently. The class will include sight singing, ear training and written theory with the emphasis on sight singing. To achieve this objective, specific drills will include:

• learning basic pitch and musical notation
• sight singing patterns using the number and solfege system
• mastery of basic conducting patterns
• pitch notation exercises including aural and rhythmic dictation

Students hone their sight singing skills by sight reading ensemble sections from musical theater literature. Being able to confidently sing harmony in an ensemble is crucial for working actors. By the end of the First Year the students should have sufficient skills to sight sing melodies with no accompaniment and be an independent sight reader within ensemble segments of Musical Theatre literature.

Students will learn the history of the art form as well as explore landmark shows within each historical era. After learning the history of each era, students will watch performances of musicals available on film. The musicals presented will cover a broad range of styles from the beginning of Musical Theatre to the current productions seen on Broadway and the West End. Class discussions will include the visual aspects of the performance from the scenery and costumes to the choreography and singing. Discussions will include how each work succeeded in presenting a story through music.

Courses

Dance Program Goal: Speaking With The Body

• care of the body
• posture, alignment, breath
• basics of technique and placement
• building strength/stamina/flexibility
• musicality
• style and expression of movement
• professional approach to the work

In the first year of dance classes, students are placed into an appropriate level based on their skill and prior dance training. Students set goals with their faculty members to ensure their advancement. The focus in the first year is on developing awareness of speaking with the body and development of skill within each of the dance disciplines. The courses in the first year are Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap and Yoga. There is a high technical expectation of the student. All exercises and dance combinations are progressively more advanced stylistically and technically. At the end of the first year, students will participate in a demonstration of their work in dance classes so faculty members can evaluate their progress and assess the class structure for the following year.

In the second year of dance classes, students are re-evaluated to determine their appropriate level. Students further develop their awareness of how dance and movement supports the actor performing in a variety of styles in musical theater. The Jazz class will introduce new Theater Dance styles and begin preparations for Song and Dance work. There is a greater emphasis on the style/expression and presence of each individual. In Song and Dance, actors combine acting, singing and dancing in production numbers from dance musicals (duets to ensembles).

By invitation. Students who are ready to be presented to the industry will be invited to continue their studies with CAP21 and participate in an Industry Practicum. Actors will participate in master classes with casting directors and take classes to polish material for master classes as well as a showcase. The showcase will either be a traditional showcase or a production where actors are featured. An additional fee will be charged for participating in this session.

Note:  Subject to change at the discretion of CAP21

First Year
- 1st Semester -

First Year
- 2nd Semester -

Private Voice lessons are included in tuition. Private Coaching sessions are available for an additional fee.

Second Year
By Invitation
- 1st Semester -

Private Voice lessons are included in tuition. Private Coaching sessions are available for an additional fee.

Second Year
- 2nd Semester -

*In the final semester, students may choose between Private Voice lessons or Private Coaching sessions. Students may also choose to continue both for an additional fee.

After 4 semesters, students may audition to participate in an industry introduction. (See Industry Practicum)