Houston Community College Central
Syllabus
DRAM 1352 Acting 2 CRN75098
Tues. and Thurs. 2-4 FAC112
2 Lecture/2 Lab
Course Semester Credit 3
Contact Hours 64
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 to be
distributed by professor. 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 two 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 7@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. 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 November 1 2013 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.”
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SUPPORT SERVICES
Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged
call (713) 718-6164 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.
OFFICE HOURS
TBA
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CLASS SCHEDULE:
Week 1 – Jan. 14-16
Introductions, course orientation, warm-up exercises, improvisations, and
monologue assignments. Bring 1 or 2 jokes each class period. Start a joke
journal. Read the first 5 Comedic devices in the book: Surprise, Timing, Slow
Thinker, Repetition, and Delayed Anticipated Action.
Week 2 – Jan. 21-23
Prepare 2 jokes to share with the class. Be aware of timing. Discuss the first 5
comedy devices: Warm-up exercises, improvisation exercises. Read and study
the next 6 comedic devices. Reversal, Impersonation, Mistaken Identity,
Imagined Predicament, Juxtaposition and Spoonerism.
Week 3 –Jan 28-30
Tell 1-2 new jokes. Identify the comedic device in the joke. Why is it funny?
Discuss and demonstrate the assigned comedic devices from last week.
Warm-ups, improvisations and scene assignments. Choose a comic
actor/actress to research and present in an oral report with hand-outs and
DVD example (if available). The sign up schedule will be posted on bulletin
board. Read the next comedic devices for next class discussion. Malaprop,
Puns, Visual puns, Double Entendre, Word Distortion, Alliteration, and
Invented Words.
Week 4 – Feb. 4-6
Bring joke journal. Tell 1-2 jokes. Begin oral reports. Warm-ups, tongue
twisters; begin scene assignments. Study the next comedy devices: Put
Down and Retort, Topping, Non-sequiturs, Ancient/modern, Hidden
Element, Revelation, and Self Deprecation
Week 5 – Feb. 11-13
Bring a new joke. Continue oral reports. Warm-ups, improvisations, start
scene work. Read for next class these comedic devices: The Performer in
Trouble Syndrome, Practical Joke, Slapstick, Reciprocal Destruction, Irony,
Satire, Breaking the Fourth Wall, Parody, and Shop Talk.
Week 6 – Feb.18-20
Continue entering jokes in journal. Tell a new joke. Continue reports. (Can
Include demonstrations of comic devices) Use of props in comedy. Warm-ups
Improvisation exercises and scene work. Read and study Popular Phrase,
Topical, Slice of Life, Exaggeration, Understatement, Contrast, I-Had-itRight-Here, Twisted Logic, Getting it all Wrong, and Literal Meaning.
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Week 7 – Feb. 25-27
Jokes for class. Explore comic devices. Finish oral reports. 1st live
performance report due. A comedy play, or a comedy show. Warm-ups,
and scene work. Reading assignment: Deflation of Authority/Pomposity,
Comic Inventiveness, Rube Goldberg, and Character. Find examples in the
scenes and jokes you have been rehearsing. Review for MID-TERM.
Week 8 – March 4-6
MID-TERM Warm-ups, scene work. See video of Carol Burnett.
Week 9 –March 10-17 Spring Break
Week 10 –March 18-20
Bring in 1-2 jokes. (keep entering them in your journal) Warm-ups,
Improvisation and scene work.
Week 11 – March 25-27
Tell 1-2 jokes, warm-ups, discuss going to a comedy as a class project.
Warm-ups, improvisation and scene rehearsal.
Week 12 – April 1-3
Jokes. warm-ups, tell personal funny experience, scene rehearsal.
Week 13 – April 8-10
Jokes, warm-ups, turn in 2nd comedy review that includes comedy
devices. Scene work.
.Week 14 – April 15-17
Jokes, warm-ups, turn in 2nd comedy review that includes comedy
devices. Dress rehearsal in Theatre One
Week 15 –Tues Evening
FINAL
PERFORMANCE IN THEATRE ONE May 6 at 7:00pm. (Theatre will
open at 6 for you to prepare)
Invite friends and family for your audience. VERY IMPORTANT
HAVE A LAUGH FILLED SEMESTER!
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