Fundamentals of acting are rooted in Konstantin Stanislavski. This course will introduce the key elements based on the "Stanislavski System" in order to provide basic knowledge and a beginning understanding of the components of acting. The course is being created for an exploration of students' acting instrument and its use. In this sense, it is also a practical course focusing on individual development. Thus, students will constantly be up on feet acting in exercises and watching classmates and will come to understand acting being both analytical and expressive process.

Most lectures will include class discussions, exercises, performances, and in-class critiques of performances. In order to register any improvement, students are expected to work consistently, in class and out of class.

Students are required to keep an individual journal throughout the course. Each lecture will make specific critical demands on the student, and students are expected to develop their ability to form judgments and enhance their understanding of the lectures and readings. As a result, the journal will be an articulation of critical analysis, personal reflection and self/peer appraisal.

The course creates opportunities to systematically demonstrate acquisition of acting competencies by applying the theoretical concepts and skills in the process. Students will present one monologue in this course. Rehearsal and performance of the monologue with an intensive inner emotional life concentrating on subtext and actor vulnerability is expected. The monologue is chosen by individual students who can choose text from their cultural origin while the performance should be translated in English when necessary. Introduction of the text and the context of the piece should be presented by the student before the monologue. Students will also present one open scene with other students later in the course. Rehearsal and performance of some scene selected with the concentration on the analysis of text and process of characterization. As a result of these activities, students will develop an individual process and the ability to listen, receive, process and respond to instructors and other students.

Students will be equipped with craft fundamentals in preparation for scene studies by finishing typed analyses, with a score of physical action, objectives, obstacles, beat work, intentions and subtext for the assignments by the instructor.