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Course

Acting I: Introduction

THEA-40007

Have you wondered if you might enjoy acting? Whether you want to start an acting career or just improve your communication skills, this fun and enjoyable class, in a uniquely supportive environment, will introduce you to the basic tricks and techniques of the craft, as well as give you an appreciation for this complex and exciting art form.
You'll learn techniques that will help you improve your memory, concentration, discipline, freedom of expression, risk-taking, and the building of an ensemble. You'll learn body motion, speaking skills, character development, and expressiveness, useful skills you can apply in many non-theatrical situations and that will enhance your abilities in personal expression and public communication.

Quarters Offered:  Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall
Course Duration:  8 weeks (1 class meeting per week)
Prerequisite:  None; no previous acting training or experience required.
Related Courses:  Acting II and Improv 101

Course Information

In-Person
3.00 units
$325.00

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Course sessions

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Section ID:

189679

Class type:

This is a traditional classroom setting.

All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.

Textbooks:

All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.

Policies:

  • Early Enrollment Discount: $300 ($325 if enrolled after 3/3/2025)
  • Early enrollment advised
  • No visitors permitted

Schedule:

Date Day Start End Location
3/31/2025 Mon 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Room 535, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego
4/7/2025 Mon 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Room 535, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego
4/14/2025 Mon 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Room 535, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego
4/21/2025 Mon 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Room 535, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego
4/28/2025 Mon 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Room 535, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego
5/5/2025 Mon 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Room 535, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego
5/12/2025 Mon 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Room 535, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego
5/19/2025 Mon 6:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Room 535, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego
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Instructor: Matt Thompson, M.A. Theatre; MFA Creative Writing

Matt Thompson, M.A. Theatre; MFA Creative Writing
Matthew Salazar-Thompson received his bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, his M.A. in theatre from San Diego State University and his MFA in creative writing with a double emphasis in fiction and playwriting from UC Riverside. As a playwright, he has been commissioned by The San Diego Repertory Theatre ("Star Crossed"), North Coast Repertory Theatre ("The Little Mermaid," "The Perfectly Preposterous Pirate Adventure of Solana Beach," "Ted Williams: A Tip of the Cap," "Mistletoe, Music & Mayhem!"), Compass Theatre ("9066," "The 146 Point Flame"), New Fortune Theatre ("Cellar Door," "Switching Tracks"), Coronado Playhouse ("If the Shoe Fits," "A Roman Holiday"), The Road Theatre ("Who's on Alpha?") and Point Loma Playhouse ("The Complete History of Theatre" (abridged), "A Christmas Carol: The Classic Radio Drama"). His play, "Who's Afraid of Me, Myself and Edward Albee?" was conceived of and mentored by Edward Albee himself over the course of several years.

In 2016, Mr. Thompson collaborated with La Mama Experimental Theatre Group in Umbria, Italy with resident master playwright Mac Wellman in the development of his comedy "The Complete History of Theatre" (abridged) and the revision of "The 146 Point Flame." "Switching Tracks" was a semi-finalist for the Detroit New Works Festival in 2017. Grants include the MiraStar Playwright Award and Direct to Arts Award from the city of Solana Beach as well as the NEA Social Programming Grant. His plays have been published through Dramatic Publishing, Heuer Publishing, Eldridge Publishing, Brooklyn Publishing and Norman Maine Publishing. His non-fiction is published through Arcadia Publishing while his novel is available via e-Kindle.

Mr. Thompson has directed productions for The La Jolla Playhouse, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Point Loma Playhouse and Compass Theatre. He is the former artistic director of Compass Theatre and Point Loma Playhouse, co-artistic director of New Fortune Theatre and associate artistic director of North Coast Repertory Theatre. He has performed, written, directed and produced live creative corporate products for such companies as Disney, SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Molyneuax Entertainment.

Select acting credits include: "The Car Plays," "The Grift" (La Jolla Playhouse); "Spring Awakening" (Cygnet Theatre); "Dead Man’s Cell Phone" (Moxie Theatre); "Now or Later" (Diversionary Theatre); "Much Ado About Nothing" (Intrepid Theatre); "Henry V" (New Fortune Theatre); "The Odd Couple," "THIS," "Don’t Dress for Dinner," "Over the Tavern," "Dracula," "Leading Ladies," "A Thousand Clowns," "Julius Caesar," "The Comedy of Errors" (North Coast Rep), "Terra Nova" (Compass Theatre); "Cold Comfort Farm," "West Side Story" (Lamb’s Players); "Shear Madness" (The Theatre in Old Town); "The Tempest" (Kingsmen Shakespeare); "Rapunzal" (Garry Marshal Theatre); "Moonlight & Magnolias" (Sierra Repertory Theatre). TV credits: "C.S.I," "Veronica Mars," "Fashion House," "Cover Me," "Dharma and Greg," "Watch Over Me," "18 Wheels of Justice," "Fraiser," "The Invisible Man" and "Baywatch."
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