Stanford Root

Schedule

Stanford Root

Schedule

TAPS 127

Movement for the Actor

UNITS:3
GRADING:Letter or Credit/No Credit
LEVEL:Undergrad
GER:WAY-CE

This course is an exploration of movement techniques for the actor, designed to provide a foundation for performance practice. Students will develop a more grounded sense of ease and breath onstage, learn fundamentals of physical partnership, and acquire an expanded physical vocabulary. Areas of study include Laban movement analysis, observation and embodiment, basic contact improvisation, and physical characterization. Students will also engage a personalized warmup process for rehearsal and performance. All coursework will be entirely experiential, practical, and participatory. No previous experience necessary. Some outside rehearsal/investigation time required.

Syllabus for selected term:
View Autumn 2026 Syllabus

Sections

2 Terms
Practicum 1Open
ID: 12262
0 / 10 enrolled
DAYS:Monday, Wednesday
TIME:10:30 AM – 12:20 PM
LOCATION:Roble Gymnasium 114
INSTRUCTOR:
Chapman, Matthew
3units

TAPS 127: Movement for the Actor

3 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit · GER: WAY-CE

This course is an exploration of movement techniques for the actor, designed to provide a foundation for performance practice. Students will develop a more grounded sense of ease and breath onstage, learn fundamentals of physical partnership, and acquire an expanded physical vocabulary. Areas of study include Laban movement analysis, observation and embodiment, basic contact improvisation, and physical characterization. Students will also engage a personalized warmup process for rehearsal and performance. All coursework will be entirely experiential, practical, and participatory. No previous experience necessary. Some outside rehearsal/investigation time required.

Offered in Autumn 2026, Spring 2027 at Stanford University.

Autumn 2026 sections

  • Practicum — Monday Wednesday 10:30 AM – 12:20 PM — Roble Gymnasium 114 — Chapman, Matthew (Undergrad)

Spring 2027 sections

  • Practicum — Monday Wednesday 10:30 AM – 12:20 PM — Roble Gymnasium 114 — Chapman, Matthew (Undergrad)

More TAPS courses

  • TAPS 121V: Voice for the Actor
  • TAPS 122M: Main Stage Theater Project (MUSIC 122M)
  • TAPS 122P: Undergrad Performance Project
  • TAPS 123V: Voice II: Dialects and the International Phonetic Alphabet (I.P.A.)
  • TAPS 124D: Acting for Non-Majors
  • TAPS 125S: Shakespeare Now! An Actor's Lab
  • TAPS 127M: Masks for Performance: Essential Mask, Character Mask, and Commedia dell'Arte
  • TAPS 127W: Introduction to Clown
  • TAPS 128W: Clown II: Advanced Physical Idiocy
  • TAPS 130T: Lighting Design for Musical Theater
  • TAPS 132: Costume Design
  • TAPS 132F: Costume in Film

All TAPS courses · All departments