Houston Community College Central
Syllabus
DRAM 1352 Acting 2CRN84946
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Tues. and Thurs. FAC 112
INSTRUCTOR: Kathleen Knight
(713) 718-6614 (832) 752-3898 (Emergencies only)
kathleen.knight@hccs.edu
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------COURSE DESCRIPTION: Acting 2 DRAM 1352
An introduction to the challenges of internal and external comic techniques, character invention,
physical and vocal comedy/qualities, working with various types and styles of comedy, comedic
monologues and scene study, rehearsal techniques and performance. The focus is to teach student
actors to create comic characters to alter physical behaviors to show different comic personalities.
A major part of comic technique is deciphering from clues and directions in the text to fulfill the
author’s intention.
Theater attendance and/or assistance in college drama productions required. 3 credits
(2 lecture, 2 lab)
REQUIRED TEXT: Comedy Techniques for Entertainers by Bruce
Johnson. Short scripts and classroom handouts
COURSE OBJECTIVES
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Identify, list, discuss and display the intellectual, physical, emotional and
technical skills involved with internal and external comic technique
Identify different types of comedy and styles of comedy
Apply basic comic acting terminology
Develop and display self confidence to perform before an audience
Create strong sensory images and self awareness (as a comedian)
Study the characteristics of strong comedic actors, comedy writers and playwrights
Analyze a comic/script text into beats and sections using intention, motivations, vocal
and movement strategies
Research, listen and view comic performances in order to define your own personal point
of view of comedy
Prepare, rehearse and perform in four acting/performing events
Observe, write about and discuss comic performance values from an educated audience
perspective.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
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Attend all classes and actively participate
Complete all reading and written assignments
Attend 2 theater/comic performances and write a critique
Research and rehearse three acting events (Stand-up, classic comic scenes, monologues,
novel character, etc.)
Mid-term written exam
Final performance exam in Theater One, May 8 @7:00 pm
An in-class
GRADING SYSTEM
90-100 =
80-89 =
70-79 =
60-69 =
0-59 =
A
B
C
D
F
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is required! If you have 5 un-excused absences you could be dropped from the rolls
by the instructor.
DRAM 1352 fulfills the basic intellectual competencies for core courses include
reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy. This
is a core curriculum course.
WITHDRAWAL POLICIES
The Texas Legislature passed a law limiting new students (those starting college
in Fall 2007) to no more than six total course withdrawals throughout their
academic career. There may be future penalties imposed. To avoid having to
drop/withdraw from class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which I
(your instructor) will “alert” you and HCC Student Services of the chance you
might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic
performance. You should visit with me, and HCC counselor, or HCC online
Student Services to learn about what, if any HCC interventions might be offered
to assist you such as tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. to stay
in class and improve your academic performance.
You MUST visit with a faculty advisor, a counselor or on-line student
services at: http://studentservicesonling.hccs.edu/ prior to dropping the class and
this must be done prior to MARCH 29 to receive a “W” on your transcript. After
that deadline, you will receive the grade you are making in the class which will
more than likely be an “F.” Excessive absences will result in an Fx.
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SUPPORT SERVICES
Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged
to contact Disability Services to make necessary arrangements. Faculty are only
authorized to provide accommodations requested by the Disability Support
Services Office.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
HCCS defines scholastic dishonesty as cheating on a test, plagiarism and
collusion. Penalties include a “O” on that test or assignment, or a “W” or an “F”.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
The Fine Arts Department at Central College recommends that all HCCS students
carry some form of medical insurance to cover illness and injury, both on and off
campus. Information regarding low-cost health insurance for students is available
in the Fine Arts Office. Under Texas State Statute, HCCS is immune to liability in
the event of accident or injury.
THREEPEATERS
Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant
tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.
Please ask your instructor or counselor about opportunities for tutoring or other
assistance prior to withdrawing from the course, or it you are not receiving
passing grades.
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
Is aimed at specific Fine Arts courses and degree plans for Drama, Dance, Music,
and Speech are available to Central College students during each semester. Please
sign up in the Fine Arts Office to speak to a full time instructor in your area of
interest.
CHILDREN IN THE CLASSROOM
It is not permissible to have children in the classroom, or un-invited guests.
EMERGENCIES
Please leave any messages on my voice mail (713) 718-6614, or if you are caught
in traffic and will be late to class call (832) 752-3898, or call the Fine Arts Office
at (713) 718-6600 and have the secretary leave a note in my box.
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CLASS SCHEDULE
Week 1
1/15
1/17
Introductions, description of course, jokes and
joke notebook, warm-up exercises and assignments and
begin to define comedic vocabulary. Read
pp.5-8 in Comedy book. Bring in funny
walk. Start a joke journal. See Comic DVD.
Week 2
1/22
Announcements, jokes, warm-ups, demonstrate funny
walks
improvisations. Choose
monologue and begin to explore it. Discuss and
explore the comedy devices of surprise, timing & slow
thinker. Read pp. 9-11. DVD
1/24
Week 3
1/29
1/31
Week 4
Imagined
2/5
2/7
Warm-ups, improvisations. Discuss and demonstrate
repetition,delayed anticipated action, and
reversal. Start presentations of
monologues. Read pp. 13-15.
Warm-ups. Explore Impersonation, mistaken identity,
predicament. Discuss GOTE sheet, text and character
analysis,
beats. Monologue work. Read pp. 16-17. DVD
Week 5
Warm-ups, improvisation. Work with props and costume
pieces.
2/12
working on juxtaposition, spoonerism, malaprops,
2/14
puns,visual puns. Start on scenes. (Objectives,
obstacles, intentions and character analysis.) Read pp. 17-19.
Week 6
17-19.
2/19
2/21
Warm-ups. Discuss and explore comedy devices on pp.
Continue Scene work
Read pp. 20-23. DVD
Week 7
Warm ups. Explore comedy devices. pp. 20-23. Continue
scene work.
2/26
Read pp. 24-28
2/28
Discuss pp. 24-28.
Week 8
3/5
Warm-ups, improvisations and scene work
Read pp. 29-32
4
3/7
and quiz
Discuss pp. 29-32 Read pp.33-40 plus review exercise
answers.
SPRING BREAK – March 11-17
Week 9
Explore pp. 33-40 and go over review exercise and quiz
answers. Warm
3/19
ups and scene work.
3/21
EXAM
Week 10
3/26
Warm-ups, announcements improvisation, monologues,
scene work
3/28
Week 11
Warm-ups, discussion of live performances, practice
gestures and
4/2
timing, run scenes and monologues
4/4
Week 12
4/9
Warm-ups and rehearsal of scenes
4/11
Rehearsal of monologues and scenes
Week 13
4/16
Warm-ups and selection of material for final project.
4/18
Program order and rehearsal of program for final project
Week 14 Warm-ups and discussion of live performances. Practice
scenes and
4/23
monologues.
4/25
Week 15
5/7
Practice program for final (MEMORIZED)
5/9
Dress rehearsal for final performance in Theater One.
Critiques due
Week 16 Final Exam in Theater One, Tues. May 8 @ 7:00 P.M.
Week 1
1/17
1/19
Introductions, description of course, jokes and
joke notebook, warm-up exercises and assignments and
begin to define comedic vocabulary. Read
5
walk. Start a joke journal. See Comic DVD.
Week 2
1/24
1/26
Announcements, jokes, warm-ups, demonstrate funny
walks improvisations. Choose monologue and begin
explore it. Discuss and explore the comedy devices of
surprise, timing & slow thinker. Read pp. 9-11.
Week 3
1/31
2/3
Warm-ups, improvisations. Discuss and demonstrate,
repetition,delayed anticipated action, and reversal. Start
presentations of
monologues. Read pp. 13-15.
Week 4
2/7
2/9
Warm-ups. Explore Impersonation, mistaken identity,
imagined predicament. Discuss GOTE sheet, text and 2/9
character analysis, beats. Monologue work. Read pp. 1617. DVD
Week 5
Warm-ups, improvisation.Work with props and costume
2/14
2/16
pieces working on juxtaposition,spoonerism, malaprop,
puns, visual puns. Start on scenes. (Objectives, obstacles,
intentions and character analysis.) Read pp. 17-19.
Week 6
2/21
2/23
Warm-ups. Discuss and explore comedy devices on pp.
17-19. Continue Scene work
Read pp. 20-23. DVD
Week 7
2/28
3/1
Warm ups. Explore comedy devices. pp. 20-23. Continue
scene work. Read pp. 24-28
Discuss pp. 24-28.
Week 8
3/6
3/8
Warm-ups, improvisations and scene work
Read pp. 29-32
Discuss pp. 29-32 Read pp.33-40 plus review exercise
and quiz answers.
SPRING BREAK – March 12-18
Week 9
3/20
3/22
Explore pp. 33-40 and go over review exercise and quiz
answers. Warm-ups and scene work
EXAM
Week 10
3/27
Announcements, warm-ups, improvisation, start on
scenes.
6
3/29
(Objectives, obstacles, intentions and character analysis)
Week 11
4/3
Warm-ups, discussion of live performances, run scenes
4/5
Week 12
4/10
Warm-ups and scene rehearsal
4/12
Week 13
4/17
4/19
Warm-ups and selection of material for final project
Program order and rehearsal of program for final project
Week 14
4/24
4/26
Warm-ups and discussion of live performances.
Practice scenes and monologues
Week 15
5/1
5/3
Week 16
Practice program for final (MEMORIZED)
Dress rehearsal for final performance in Theatre One
Critiques due
Final Exam in Theater One, Tues. May 8 @7:00 P.M.
FOR AN INVITED AUDIENCE
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WEEK:
1. (2/23) Introductions, sign-up sheet with student’s current cell phone numbers,
and e-mail addresses. Course orientation, discussion of HCC Course
Withdrawal Policy, warm-up exercises, improvisations, and monologue
assignments.
2. ((3/2) Begin performing monologues, improv, articulation exercises
3. (3/9) Learn “Theater Lingo”, discuss up-coming plays, mirror exercises,
sound and movement exercises, improvisation exercises, and cold readings of
monologues.
4. Spring Break (3/14 – 3/21)
5. (3/23) Quiz on “Theater Lingo”. Warm-up exercises, improvisation exercises,
more intense work on monologues.
6. (3/30) Discuss up-coming plays warm-up exercises, tongue twisters for
articulation, hand-outs on Stanislovsky’s 7 W’s, warm-ups with sound and
movement, monologues must be memorized.
7. (4/6) Oral reports (extra credit) of a professional play, warm-ups, pantomime
exercises, work on monologue #2.
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8. (4/13) Warm-up exercises, monologues, and scene assignments. (Choose a
scene partner)
9. (4/20) Warm-up exercises, monologue work, and beginning scene readings.
10. (4/27) Scene rehearsals review monologues
11. (5/4) Warm-up exercises. Dress rehearsal in Theatre One.
12. (5/13) Final performance of one monologue and one scene in Theater One
(with invited audience). All must attend for final grade! May 11, @7:00 for an
invited audience. Class starts at 6:00 for costumes, warm-up and final rehearsals.
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Have a great semester!
Miss Knight
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