Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies

1. The Department is committed to educating Berkeley students in the artistic range of performance. For this reason, it is our policy to restrict casting to UC Berkeley students. Directors and Choreographers must receive prior approval from the Department Chair in order to cast from outside of the UC Berkeley student pool. To ensure fairness across the season, this request must be made as part of the initial proposal to the Department's Season Planning Committee, and must be made for all theater and dance productions. In rare instances, an emergency (illness, death in the family, injury) might result in the loss of a cast member, and the substitution of a non-student performer; in such cases, appropriate measures will be taken through consultation between the responsible Director/Choreographer, the Production Manager, the Chair of the Season Planning Committee, and the Department Chair.

2. All cast members are required to enroll in units of the corresponding course for the production, commensurate with the time spent in rehearsals and performances; typically 2–4 units. Students with extenuating circumstances may petition for reduced unit enrollment through the Undergraduate Advisor. When necessary, credits may be undertaken through UC Extension. Professional guest artists (for example, faculty acting in the production, etc.) are not required to enroll. The maximum number of units available to participants will be determined by the Department, based on the production and level of participation.

3. Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies majors may have a casting advantage from previous experience and training, but it should be understood that it is a competitive audition process and open to all UC Berkeley students.

4. For the purposes of our casting policy, students from the following programs, with whom UC Berkeley has cross-registration programs, will be considered UC Berkeley Students:

   Cal State University, East Bay; Mills College; San Francisco State University; Sonoma State University; Holy Names University; John F Kennedy University; and Dominican University of California.

5. While UC Extension students are able to enroll in TDPS courses associated with performance, the Fall Program for First Semester (FPF) does not generally allow students to enroll in elective courses, and therefore students of the program are ineligible for participation in production.

Production participation is a privilege, which carries responsibilities. Directors, choreographers, actors, dancers, designers, playwrights, and technicians unite for a finite rehearsal and performance period in order to create a performance work. A production’s success relies on the commitment of all involved. Once a cast, design team, collaborators, and crew have been selected, the absence of any team member is detrimental to the project. Such absences are unprofessional and unacceptable.

Responsibilities for Director/Choreographer

1. Adhere to schedules for auditions, rehearsals, and performances as determined by the Production Manager.

2. Maintain primary concern for the safety of the cast and crew.

3. Ensure that students are registered for the corresponding course and for timely submission of final grades. Student Directors/Choreographers should work with faculty advisors related to enrollment and grading.

Responsibilities for Performers

Before you audition, learn all you can about the production:

• Read the script and learn about the Director/Choreographer and what they have in mind for the production.

• Confirm your availability for rehearsals and performances by reviewing published schedules, available on the Callboard and at auditions. Can you make the necessary time commitment? Do you have academic conflicts with required attendance dates?

• Unless a student makes a written request of the Director or Choreographer at the time of the audition, it is assumed that the student will eagerly accept any role or assignment they are offered. Ensure you are clear about your availability and any conditions you are placing upon your audition because:

  1. Acceptance of a role in a TDPS production requires the participation in ALL scheduled rehearsals, photo shoots, designer appointments, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances and strike associated with the production.

  2. Participants must enroll in a corresponding course for units commensurate with time spent in preparation, rehearsal and performance.

  3. Declining an offered role without having made extenuating conditions known at the time of the audition forfeits the opportunity to perform in a TDPS production for the remainder of the semester and/or subsequent semesters, as determined by the Chair.

  4. A student who drops out of a production after having been cast is likewise ineligible for further casting that semester and/or subsequent semesters as determined by the Chair.

  5. Director/Choreographer will report violations (per #3 and #4) to the Chair in writing.

Grounds for Dismissal

A performer may be dismissed from a production for:

• Unexcused absence or tardiness from any rehearsal or performance.
• Inappropriate behavior as further outlined in course syllabi.
• Failure to meet appointments with Designers/Directors or other Production staff.

The only excused absences from rehearsal or performance are:

• Serious illness/accident.
• Death in the family.
• Natural disasters.

Mechanism for Dismissal of Cast and Crew

Any student who has shown cause for dismissal may be dismissed from the show. In some cases, particularly those involving unexcused absence, the student may be dismissed immediately by the relevant supervisor (Director, Choreographer, or Production Manager); in other cases, the supervisor may give one warning (written or verbal), with the understanding that a second offense will result in immediate dismissal. In all cases, the Department Chair will be immediately notified of the offense and reserves the right to dismiss a student from a production upon written recommendation from the appropriate supervisor. Students dismissed from a production will receive a failing grade in the relevant course and will not be eligible for casting in a TDPS production for that semester and/or subsequent semester(s) as determined by the Chair.

TDPS productions are curricular, often the culmination of advanced coursework within the department. In addition to department policies and posted Performer Responsibilities, course syllabi contain expectations, evaluative criteria, and grading standards for participants. Theater 180 and 181 for Berkeley Dance Project, Playhouse and Studio Productions are taken for a letter grade. Theater 171 for Workshops is taken Pass/No Pass. The evaluative criteria are the same for all productions, as is the expectation of perfect attendance.

Overview of Theater 171: Student-Directed Workshop

This course operates as a small workshop production, providing academic credit for performers and other specified participants in theatrical events produced by the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Participants must enroll in at least one unit and up to two units of 171, depending upon level of involvement and/or student preference, or as prescribed by the instructor of record. All course activities occur within a finite schedule, generally spanning four weeks within a semester, and culminating in unticketed public performances. This course may be taken multiple times for credit and may fulfill major and minor requirements. Audition is required.

Overview of Theater 180: Berkeley Dance Project

This course is designed for students who are seriously interested in performing dance on the concert stage. Involvement prepares students to perform in a highly-produced dance concert called the Berkeley Dance Project. The course is designed to teach students about the process of dancing for a choreographer. This will involve: participating fully in all rehearsals and all required performances, contributing ideas to the creative process, and being open to choreographic strategies and methods. Students may be cast in up to three separate dance pieces. Each dance piece varies in scope and style depending on the themes and concepts being explored by the individual choreographer. This course may be taken multiple times for credit and may fulfill major and minor requirements. Audition is required.

Overview of Theater 181: Playhouse and Studio Productions

This course operates as a large, complex performance lab, providing academic credit for performers and other specified participants in theatrical events produced by the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Participants must enroll in at least one unit, and up to four units of 181, depending upon level of involvement and/or student preference, or as prescribed by the instructor of record. All course activities occur within a finite schedule, generally spanning five to eight weeks within a semester, and culminating in ticketed public performances. This course may be taken multiple times for credit and may fulfill major and minor requirements. Audition is required.

Schedule:

This course meets according to the established rehearsal scheduled for a given production. Refer to the Master Calendar for your production available on the TDPS Callboard and provided by your Stage Manager and/or Director. Note that specific call times on indicated rehearsal and performance dates will be set on a weekly or daily basis and will be communicated to you by the Stage Manager or Production Manager.

Attendance:

This is a course that requires full participation. Because sessions are part of the creative process, there is no way to make them up. Missing even one session to which you are called will affect the outcome of the work being created. Therefore, a perfect attendance record is the assumption for this course, which means on-time attendance to every rehearsal, and performance call indicated on the Master Calendar for the production, or at least to the calls provided by the Stage Manager for your particular role. Please consider this seriously before deciding to take this class. Perfect attendance is defined as being on time and present for all calls, and being ready to work at the call times. The only excused conflicts/absences are those presented by the student and approved in writing by the instructor prior to completion of callbacks. The only other excused absences from rehearsal or performance are serious illness/accident, death in the family, natural disasters. Students who are ill, or who are seriously injured, and are at risk of missing multiple sessions, must contact the instructors immediately to determine the course of action to be taken. Any students needing accommodation for observance of religious holidays are also responsible for contacting the instructor at the time of auditions.

Course Requirements and Evaluative Criteria:

Grades for this course will be based on evaluation of the factors listed below:

• Maintaining a mature, responsible, supportive and communicative attitude towards fellow students, staff, faculty, and the project as a whole
• Coming prepared and ready to work to all scheduled sessions, workshops, rehearsals and performances
• Working diligently to fulfill the standards and objectives established by the director, whether a student, faculty member, or outside professional
• Being responsive to student stage managers and staff, which includes checking email and voicemail daily
• Timely and diligent completion of all assignments, cast responsibilities, off-book deadlines, scheduled costume fittings and required readings
• Willingness to experience and apply new ideas and approaches, and learn new skills
• Full participation and attention in discussions and notes sessions
• Respecting the theatrical process, in rehearsal and performance, and being patient with its intrinsic challenges, including using any downtime in a productive way

Evaluative Procedures:

Theater is by nature a collaborative process. The teacher of record will communicate with production department heads, other faculty, student directors, and staff involved with the production to determine a student’s level of accomplishment, based on the above criteria.

Grading Standards:

A Exceptional and committed fulfillment of all the stated requirements; exhibiting a high degree of professionalism throughout the process, and respect for all of its elements and collaborators.

A- Exceptional fulfillment of a majority of the stated requirements, including prompt attendance and meeting all established deadlines.

B+ Solid fulfillment of the stated requirements, with occasional lapses in commitment or professionalism, or a less than perfect record of promptness and readiness to rehearse. Examples might include losing focus in some rehearsals, needing to be given notes more than once, or not using downtime to constructive purpose.

B Satisfactory fulfillment of the stated requirements, and an overall professional attitude. but fairly regular lapses in attention, judgement, or follow-through. Responds well to constructive criticism in most cases, and makes adjustments accordingly. Examples might include students who distract others from the smooth running or rehearsals, or are not ready to rehearse on more than one occasion.

C Students understand what is required of them, but often need to be reminded of their tasks and responsibilities, and/or can obstruct the smooth running of rehearsals or performances. Students don’t respond well to criticism, or only do so when pressed, and /or rarely take initiative beyond their basic tasks. Students may often be late to calls, or not meet off-book deadline.

Students who fail to maintain the standards of a grade of “C” will be dropped from the class and receive no credit.

Rehearsal Absence Policy:

• 0 absences are allowed (beyond what has been established at the time of your audition and acceptance of the role).
• Promptness is required. Being ‘on time’ means being present and ready to work at the designated call time. Arriving at the call time is equivalent to being late.
• Please refer to the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies Performer Responsibilities posted on the Callboard and acknowledged at the time of the audition. If you do not have a copy for yourself, please ask the instructor for a copy.

Performance Absence Policy:

• 0 absences are allowed
• Promptness is required
• Please refer to the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies Performer Responsibilities posted on the Callboard and acknowledged at the time of the audition.

All UC Berkeley students are invited to audition for TDPS productions and workshops. If a disability-related accommodation is needed for an audition, please contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor at least one week prior to the start of the semester.

For students in DSP, please contact your DSP specialist well in advance of the audition so there is time for the accommodation process and notify the department to make arrangements. Please ask DSP to also send disability accommodation notices for auditions to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor at least one week prior to the start of the semester.

Please note that some audition spaces are not readily accessible for those with mobility impairments. With advance notice, we are happy to make arrangements for an alternate venue.