THEA 256

Stage Combat

Catalog Description : Introduction to hand to hand combat and sword work techniques used when staging combat sequences in live stage productions. Basics techniques of tumbling, open and closed hand to hand combat and basic sword fighting will be taught and practiced.

KENN WHEELER                              kwheeler@eou.edu

Office: Loso Hall 104                           Phone: 541-962-3318

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.

Time and place of course: Monday through Friday from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Required text or suggested materials: No text is required. Students will need to provide loose fitting clothing to be used while learning physical combat techniques. The student will also need to provide paper and writing utensils needed for taking notes on several combat techniques. Because demonstrations, supervised practice and presentations will take place in class, attendance is required. The student will need to purchase tickets to the program productions at a cost of $5 and $8.

Learning Outcomes/Major assignments:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Execute satisfactorily various tumbling passes.
• Execute satisfactorily various types of hand-to-hand stage combat techniques.
• Execute basic swordplay techniques.
• Create combat sequences using learned tumbling, hand-to-hand-combat and basic sword techniques and effectively teach them to fellow actors.

Course Requirements: Students will be required to learn and repeat physically demanding techniques of tumbling, open and closed handed fighting and basic combat techniques with swords. They will also be required to create fighting sequences using the combat techniques that are taught. Students will be required to attend every class, so that they can learn to safely practice and implement the techniques taught. Students will attend TWO Theatre Program productions THE CRUCIBLE and either BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT or SANE and write a critical review of each show.

Grading Methods:      

                                          Attendance and participation                               300 pts.

                                          Examinations (3)                                                   450 pts.

                                          Final Presentation                                                 200 pts.

                                          TOTAL                                                                  950 pts.

                                          95% - 100% = A

                                          91% - 94% = A-

                                          87% - 90% = B+

                                          83% - 86% = B

                                          79% - 82% = B-

                                          75% - 78% = C+

                                          71% - 74% = C

                                          67% - 70% = C-

                                          63% - 66% = D+

                                          60% - 62% = D

                                          Below 60% = F

Means of assessment: Students knowledge of stage combat techniques will be assessed by examinations in which each student team will demonstrate their ability to recreate the techniques taught. Students will be awarded points for willingness to participate and showing proper attitude toward whatever they are asked to do. Students will also be assessed on their ability to create a stage combat sequence, using the learned techniques and to implement and rehearse those techniques using fellow students in the class, which will culminate in a presentation.

Course Calendar:

Week One:                    

              Monday:           Tumbles and Falls

              Tuesday:          Tumbles and Falls

              Wednesday:     Tumbles and Falls

              Thursday:         EXAMINATION: Tumbles and Falls

              Friday:              Hand-to-Hand Combat

Week Two:                   

              Monday:           Hand-to-Hand Combat

              Tuesday:          Hand-to-Hand Combat

              Wednesday:     Hand-to-Hand Combat

              Thursday:         EXAMINATION: Hand-to-Hand Combat

                            Friday:             Basic Sword Techniques

Week Three:                 

              Monday:           Basic Sword Techniques

              Tuesday:          Basic Sword Techniques

              Wednesday:     EXAMINATION: Basic Sword Techniques

              Thursday:        Work on Final Presentation

              Friday:             FINAL PRESENTATION

General Education Categories and Outcomes

• Content Knowledge: Student will demonstrate increased vocabulary, content, and conceptual knowledge in a breadth requirement.  This will be demonstrated using outcome #4.
• Communication: Students will identify and explain issues, recognize contexts and assumptions, acknowledge multiple perspectives, and evaluate evidence to reach conclusions. This will be demonstrated using outcome #2.
• Creative Process: Students will demonstrate the ability to employ the creative process and display a conceptual understanding of their function. This will be demonstrated using outcome #4.

University Writing Requirement Outcomes: N/A   

Attendance/Lateness Policy: Students are responsible for attending class every time that it is held. Absences will result in a loss of ten points. The only exception is mandatory university sponsored events and THEN, ONLY if I know in advance. Work due on a day that you miss will be accepted with a 10% deduction per each period it is late.

Statement of Academic Misconduct:

Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct (including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism or theft of an examination or supplies) may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question. It might also require your being placed on probation or suspended from the university, or being expelled from the university – or a combination of these. (Please see Section II of the 2002-2003 Student handbook and Planning Calendar: Campus Citizenship (Academic), p. 32ff: Campus Citizenship (Behavior), p41ff.)

Statement on Americans with Disabilities

If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem and need reasonable accommodations, please contact Disability Services program in Loso Hall. Telephone: 962-3081.

Syllabus prepared by: Kenn Wheeler

Date: July 9, 2011