Perviz Sawoski - Santa Monica College

Professor: Perviz Sawoski

Department: TBD

College: Santa Monica College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ACT2
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I have had this professor three times within the last year and a half and I absolutely love her. She was not to difficult, but she does give very truthful feedback so just put the effort in and it is a breeze to get through. Highly, highly recommend!!! <3

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: STAGEMOVEMENTS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Man, I absolutely loved Perviz and her style of teaching when I was a student there. Yes she was hard, but I LOVED that she was hard. If you are serious about theatre you need hard professors. She challenged me and thats what I appreciated. I am definitely going to take another class with her.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: TH15
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I took Prof. Perviz's movement class and I learned a lot from her. Maybe people have had different experiences with her but she was really nice to me and honest when I was doing something wrong. She may come off a little snobby at times but if you just come in, listen to what she says and participate then you'll get an easy A.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ACTING2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Her movement class is first rate except for her demeanor and terrible manners. Her directing is hit and miss: great choreography but absolutely terrible at dramatic plays. Her absurdist style is perfect for Brecht because her approach is artificial by design. Great style to her directing but no truth (very phony) to the characters portrayed. Weak.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: THART42
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Although she is a very intelligent woman and I learned a lot from her class, Perviz's feedback is very limited. She focuses solely on technical movement, how to stage a scene so it looks interesting and how to tie the actors in to furniture, gestures etc. You will not get critique on your inner life, character building and so on.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: TH15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Had her as a substitute for Acting 1 and just as explained below, she judged a bit harshly. Due to it being Acting 1, and I being a first time actor, her demeanor turned me off from the class. Her exercises in the beginning of class were nice though and she had a nice class structure. If you don't mind judgmental faces mid performance, I say go!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: THARTS50
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Perviz is probably my favorite out of the Theatre teachers/directors at SMC. Without a doubt maybe the toughest, but is an incredible teacher at the core and cares deeply about everything she works on, as well as every student she works with. If you have tough skin and WANT criticism, work with her.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: THARTS15A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I also had her for Acting 2, and she's pretty tough. She judges you a bit harshly if she happens to see something she doesn't like. She calls you out if you're not following her directions. You also have to do work with partners, and I had some bad experiences with them. Do the journals and play papers, and you'll be fine.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 15A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

One of the greatest acting classes I've ever taken. I feel like I've improved more in this stage movement class than I have in a very long time. Perviz is fantastic.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: THART42
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you are planning to take Acting 2 with Perviz, you should probably take a movement class to feel safe. I wouldn't call her critiques "too honest" sometimes it's just "too harsh". That being said, come in prepared to work and do the scene paperwork! It actually does help with character building.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: THEA42
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Make sure you come to class with a motivated mind and body. She is AMAZING, but intimidating at first. At first she scared me, now it's a 180 degree turn that she comforts me with her presence. Gives great critiques,and make sure you take notes, she throws a note here and there that will take you miles with your acting. Movie star wannabes stay out

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: THEATREART15A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took Stage Movement by accident and ended up loving the class. For a one unit class, there is a lot of work, but the second half of the class is a lot of fun. She will push you to become your best, and will give you feedback that may seem harsh to some, but is actually very constructive and funny. Take Perviz if you want to know the truth.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: THEATRE42
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I enjoyed Professor Sawoski's class very much. She's got a good eye and she'll help you discover new things in your work and get rid of "isms"

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: TH15A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She will tel you this class is more work tha nthe 1 unit you get. Don't take it just to fill up your schedule. If you really want the class, you can learn, but must put in some effort. There are some monologues, individual projects, and partner/small group projects. Her criticism of performances can feel harsh, but they will help you.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUSTH1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She stated time commitment in beginning THEN changed it- to as late as 1am! She will ask you to not go to other classes/job and threaten/belittle. At same time is very kind. Only take class if you are 100% available. I had to drop and get F. Beware M.Theater requires dual enrollment in Stage Makeup. If you drop, you receive 2 F?s on transcript.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: TA45
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took classes with Perviz & performed in her shows a few years ago. Her honesty is great, BUT once you get past her pet peeves, her critiques lack substance. She's NOT a true acting teacher. She can be directorial & subjective in class, & is intimidated by any student whose intelligence challenges hers. If you seek legit training, look elsewhere.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: THEA45
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Perviz is an interesting woman. There is a lot of truth to her being very fair, but as far as her teaching techniques, I feel that she could have done a better job of showing the students what she wanted, instead of keeping us guessing until the last minute. This class requires A LOT of outside rehearsal time. Would not take again.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: THEAT15A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class introduced me to the technique of Abinhaya and Bharatanatyam which are very powerful sources of movement that extend from the norm of standard American Theater. Something new is always fantastic. I was pushed to the limit with her improvisational assignments and Perviz taught me to be unafraid.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: THTH2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is really hard but she is a really GOOD acting teacher, she will tell you exactly what she thinks and tell you honestly if you are good and bad and she does not favorise students! She is really good but be prepered because she can be mean if she thinks you stink!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: THART42
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took her for acting II, and she's really great. She's very honest, and I really value her opinions. She knows what she's talking about. When she gives you harsh critisim, and she will, she will tell you what you need to do to improve and move forward. I don't think she's mean, she's honest and does not "cuddle" people. I learned a lot in her clas