Houston Community College Central
Syllabus
DRAM 1352 Acting 2 CRN86469
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY 2-4 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
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, Dec.1 @7:00 pm
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.
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 BY April 5 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.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that institutions have
policies and procedures that protect students’ rights with regard to sex/gender
discrimination. Information regarding these rights are on the HCC website under
Students-Anti-discrimination. Students who are pregnant and require
accommodations should contact any of the ADA Counselors for assistance.
It is important that every student understands and conforms to respectful behavior
while at HCC. Sexual misconduct is not condoned and will be addressed promptly.
Know your rights and how to avoid these difficult situations.
Log in to www.edurisksolutions.org. Sign in using your HCC student email
account, then go to the button at the top right that says Login and enter your
student number
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
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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.
CLASS SCHEDULE
1/19-21
Introductions, description of course, jokes and joke
notebook, warm-up exercises and assignments and
begin to define comedic vocabulary. Read
pp.5-12in Comedy book. Bring in funny
walk. Start a joke journal.
Demonstrate funny walks and improvisations. Choose
monologue. Discuss and demonstrate the comedy devices
of surprise, timing & slow thinker.
1/26-28
Warm-ups, improvisations. Discuss and demonstrate
reversal. Start presentations of monologues.
Read pp. 1317.
Explore Impersonation,mistaken identity,
Imagined predicament. Discuss GOTE sheet, text and
character analysis, beats.
2/2-4
Warm-ups, improvisation.Work with props and
costume pieces. Work on juxtaposition,
spoonerism, malaprops,puns, visual puns. Start on
scenes. (Objectives, obstacles, intentions, and character
analysis.) Read pp. 17-23.
2/9-11
Warm ups. Explore comedy devices. Continue
scene work. Read pp. 24-28
2/16-18
Warm-ups, improvisations and scene work. Discuss 24Read pp. 29-32 for next assignment
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2/23-25
Discuss pp. 29-32. Read pp.33-40 plus review for EXAM
3/1-3
EXAM
3/8-10
Jokes, Improvisation, scene work
Sign up for oral reports on comedians. Warm-ups,
discussion of live performances, practice gestures
3/14-18
SPRING BREAK
3/22-24
Scene rehearsal, jokes
3/29-31
Jokes, scenes
and improvizations
4/5-7
Bring in jokes. Rehearse scenes
4/12-14
Jokes,, improvisations, scenes
scenes
4/19-21
Visit Theatre One and the Heinen, jokes, continue
rehearsing scenes
4/26-28
DRESS REHEARSAL IN THEATRE ONE APRIL 28
5/2
PERFORMANCE IN THEATRE ONE
with invited Audience at 7. (Arrive at 6) May 2
HAVE A FUN SEMESTER!
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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.
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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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