HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – CENTRAL CAMPUS
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT / CENTER
Course Syllabus: Performance Class – DRAM 1320
HCC Academic Discipline: Drama
Course Title: Performance
Course Rubric and number: DRAM 1320
Course CRN: 85797
Semester Term: Spring 2015
Campus and Room Location with Days and Times: Central Campus – THEATER ONE
Tu, Wed, Th – 7pm – 10pm & Sat 12 – 4
And two weekends of performances;
Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 3 credits
Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat – 6:30 – 10:30
Course contact hours per semester: 96
Course length: Select: Special Second Start
Type of Instruction: 2 lecture / 4 lab
Instructor: Edward Muth
Contact Information: Phone (713-718-6604) Theatre One - Room 104
Email: Edward.muth@hccs.edu
Learning web address: Central College web pages
Instructor Scheduled Office Hours: Individually scheduled with students
Course Description
1. Practicum in theatre with emphasis on technique and procedures with experience gained in play
productions As defined in the Academic Course Guide Manual (AGCM) produced by the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2009 (THECB)
2. This class is devoted to the rehearsal and performance of one or more plays and is designed to
give the student experience in applying his performance techniques for an audience. Core
Curriculum Course (As listed in the 2009-2011 HCC Catalog.)
Course Prerequisites:
Must be placed into GUST 0342 (or higher) in reading and ENGL 0310/0349 (or higher) in writing
Course Goal:
DRAM 1320 – Performance / Production. This class is devoted to the rehearsal and performance of
one or more plays and is designed to give the student practical experience in applying performance
techniques for an audience. This class investigates “the theater” as a living art form. Criteria for
evaluation of live performance will be established. Participation in “performance field trips” to two (2)
live theater productions is a major objective.
Course Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Recognize the creative process of theater by producing a theatrical production. (Level 1, 3)
2. Comprehend the importance of collaboration in the creation of theater. (Level 2)
3. Translate a written play into a theatrical production. (Level 2)
4. Evaluate the importance of an audience in the theatrical process. (Level 6)
Course Student Learning Objectives:

Complete the audition process, demonstrate basic audition skills,
compete for a role, and be cast in the play
*
Complete the registration process for DRAM 1320
*
List and identify major facts and details about the life and times of
characters in the play and note the significance of the author.
*
Appreciate the difference between literature (drama) and theater
(performance) and understand how the two sometimes interrelate
Note and define: comic qualities and dramatic techniques, identify and
apply specific improvisational and comedy/drama performance skills
*
Read critically, do text analysis, become memorized, demonstrate vocal
and physical qualities, and perform a role(s) in an HCC production.
*
Use and fine-tune intellectual and physical skills to create and develop
the inner & outer physical life of an extreme comic/dramatic character(s)
*
Attend all scheduled rehearsals (using note taking and listening skills)
Attend all performances and become a strong proficient actor on stage
*
Gain insight into the collaborative nature of the “performance art” we call
“live theater” and note how each collaborative artist (playwright, director,
designer, technician, actor, etc.) contributes special skills to the creation
of theatrical art
*
Perform in six on stage performances at HCC’s Theater One
displaying the above noted skills
*
Be ready to give--share with the audience a well-rehearsed and
a professionally performed theatrical experience
Core Objectives (2015):
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking in a performance situation embraces methods for applying
both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to theatrical matters in order
to evaluate language and to develop on stage acting strategies. Problem solving is one of the
applications of critical thinking used to address specific vocal and physical task that actors
must complete.
In a performance class this objective is evaluated by how well the student actor approaches,
develops, analyzes and performs their role in the production. This is evaluation is done by the
faculty director, the individual actors, the production team/cast and finally the audience.
Communication Skills:
Reading: Reading at the college level means having the ability to understand, analyze and
interpret a variety of printed materials: books, articles, and documents.
Writing: Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear, correct, and
coherent prose adapted to a specific purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to knowing
how to use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, students should also become adept
with the writing process, including how to determine a topic, how to organize and develop it,
and how to phrase it effectively for their audience. These abilities are acquired through
practice and reflection.
Speaking: Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and
persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.
Listening: Listening, at the college level means having the ability to understand, analyze, and
interpret various forms of spoken communication.
In a performance situation communications skills are evaluated during the rehearsal and
performance process by the play director and the individual actor. Serious notes are given and
followed up upon. Specific and purposeful reading leads to clear and understandable vocal
interpatation which is noted and re-enforced by the instructor / play director and is internalized
by the student actor. Finally, it is revealed on stage during performance is evaluated by
audience members and the instructor.
Teamwork: Teamwork in a performance situation is the process of becoming a working
production focused ensemble of actors and technicians who rehearse and perform a complex
theatrical event for an audience.
This process is evaluated by the successful completion of a complex performance event for
an audience. This process is also defined, led and evaluated by the play director.
Social Responsibility: In a performance class social responsibility is the process of
identifying one’s own point of view; then being able to discern (understand, compare,
analyze, and appreciate) the different points of view of contrasting cultures and beliefs. In
essence, to note and identify the values and beliefs which are significant to the individual and
society.
The evaluation of social responsibility in a play production requires the student actor to
identify, recognize and reveal character qualities to an audience so that audience members
can develop their own sense of social and personal responsibility.+++
Personal Responsibility: To identify, assess, and interpret one’s own value and belief system
and how this important and critical this personal catalog of beliefs are daily interpersonal
interactions with others; and how our own personal responsibility to ourselves and others
contribute to the wider society that we are part of. Evaluation noted above +++!
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
(Auditions, casting, first readings, set and costume details take place
during Nov./Dec. 2014 and Jan. / Feb. / March of 2015 (96+ hours)
(Homework: complete text analysis, begin to memorize lines, identify
character qualities, do character, author, and production research)
Week 1
Jan
Week 2
Jan
Week 3
Feb
Week 4
Feb
Week 5
Feb
Rehearsal – Tues, Wed, Thurs – 7PM to 10PM – Sat. 12 – 4 PM
Text analysis and blocking – Act I & II & III (Homework: memorize lines, identify
character qualities, and commit to blocking and movement details)
Rehearsal – Tues, Wed, Thurs – 7PM to 10PM & Sat 12 to 4 – Work Act I & II
Memorize – learn / memorize lines and blocking – note and internalize character
qualities – psychological, vocal, and physical qualities
Rehearsal – Tues, Wed, Thurs – 7PM to 10PM & Sat 12 to 4
Run the show and note critical technical elements and become “off book” (lines
and movement memorized)
Rehearsal – Tues, Wed, Thurs – 6:30 PM to 10PM & Sat 12 to 4
Run the show with set, lights, sound, costumes, etc.
Completely “off book” no lives given unless in trouble.
Rehearsal – Tues, Wed, Thurs – 6:30 PM to 10PM & Sat 12 to 4
Run the show with set, lights, sound, costumes, etc.
Final Dress and Technical rehearsals
Week 6
Feb
Rehearsal Tues. 6:30 – 10:30
Opening Weekend!!!
PERFORMANCES – Wed, (preview) Thurs, Fri, Sat - 6:30PM to 10:30PM
Week 7
Mar
Wednesday - Pick-up rehearsal and feedback discussion 6:30 to 10PM
PERFORMANCES – Thurs, Fri, Sat - 6:30PM to 10:30PM
After the final performance strike and put away costumes and props.
Instructional Methods:
Methods of instruction may include: serious rehearsals, explanations, demonstrations, rehearsal
notes and comments, lectures, and/or readings (from the script, books, original source seminal
materials from research sources). Rehearsal time may include demonstrations, field trips, warm-ups,
costume fittings, introductions, rehearsal time, six major performances, and critiques.
Student Assignments:
Assignments/Activities may include: in-class scene work and monologue performance, attendance at
theatrical performances, reading written critical responses, group projects, critiques, original source
seminal texts; discussions based on various topics related to the major areas of study in Drama;
reading articles or papers including critiques, essays, analyses, reviews, research, comparing and
contrasting artistic or design theories and perspectives; service learning projects; presentations;
group and/or individual projects. This course requires a minimum of 2000 words in a combination of
writing assignments and/or project/production work.
Student Assessments:
Methods of Assessment/Evaluation may include: rehearsal scene work, monologue performance,
creative character work/development, rehearsal discussions and/or critiques; analyses, reviews,
research, comparing and contrasting artistic or design theories.
Instructional Materials: A copy of the play and a notebook for notes/comments
HCC Grading Information:
Grading percentile: the official HCC grading rubric is as follows:
90–100 percent
A
80–89 percent
70–79 percent
60–69 percent
Below 60
percent
B
C
D
F
Exceptionally fine work; superior in presentation, visual performance,
comprehension and participation in vocal performance
Above average work; superior in one or two areas
Average work; good, unexceptional participation
Below average work; noticeably weak with minimal participation
Clearly deficient in presentation, style and content with a lack of
participation
The grade of "I" (Incomplete) is conditional. It will only be assigned if at least 80% of the course work
is complete .Students receiving an "I," must make an arrangement with the instructor in writing to
complete the course work within six months. After the deadline, the "I" becomes an "F." All "I"
designations must be changed to grades prior to graduation. Changed grades will appear on student
record as "I"/Grade (example: "I/A").
The grade of "W" (Withdrawal) appears on grade reports when students withdraw from a class by the
drop deadline. Instructors have the option of dropping students up to the deadline. After the deadline,
instructors do not have that option — not even when entering final grades.
Instructor Grading Criteria:
Homework, rehearsal assignments and projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
 Adherence to all specific assignment guidelines/content requirements. Creating /
developing character qualities (using vocal and movement skills), learning lines and
blocking and becoming a responsible team / cast member.
 Adherence to deadlines. On time behaviors for all rehearsals and performances.
 Level of technical difficulty attempted and achieved. More sophisticated / character actor
work may receive higher scores.
 Creativity and Originality: Solving character development – using vocal and physical
qualities in an imaginative and unique way may lead to a higher score.
Instructor’s Final Grading Legend:
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Character _____________________ Played by ________________________
Points
Possible
Points
Awarded
To What Extent Does Your Performance Display:
10
Careful reading and rehearsal of the play
10
On-time professional work habits in the theater
10
Creating and developing a character
10
Understanding serious theater techniques
10
Ensemble; team work
10
Using the language of the play, be memorized
10
Use language (words) to portray a character
10
Well planned and executed character movements
10
Well planned use of props and costumes
10
Use of stage diction and articulation
Standard English or specialized accent qualities
100
Additional Comments: