Introduction to Improvisational Drama Spring 2020
Instructor: Dr. Andrea Grapko Course: TD 306, 25585 Office Hours: By appointment Office Location: WIN B.104C Email: [email protected] Class Time: MW, 3:30-5:00pm
Course Overview This course introduces students to the skills, concepts and underlying theory of improvisation, both as a performance art and as a rehearsal technique. Students will develop the ability to recognize and follow impulse, to take risks and make bold choices, to create spontaneously in the moment, to communicate non-verbally, and to collaborate and work within an ensemble.
To assume that making the audience laugh is the goal of improvisation is almost as absurd as assuming that you go to a dojo to learn how to kick somebody’s face in. It’s just not true! Still, they laugh. It is a side-effect of attempting to achieve something more beautiful, more honest and truthful, something that has far more to do with the theatre - which puts your attention on what is important about being human in a community…It is easy to become deluded by the audience, because they laugh. Don’t let them make you buy the lie that what you are doing is for the laughter. Is what we’re doing comedy? Probably not. Is it funny? Probably yes. Where do the best laughs really come from? Terrific connections made intellectually, or terrific revelations made emotionally – Del Close
Grading System: 300 Points Possible Class Participation 50 points Performance Responses 60 points Process Journal 100 points Short Form Improvisation 40 points Long Form Improvisation 50 points
Required Texts: Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation, by Charna Halpern, Del Close, and Kim “Howard” Johnson The Upright Citizens’ Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manuel, by Matt Bessler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh.
Required Performances: This semester you are required to see two live improv shows of your own choosing and submit a written response to each performance. Tickets in the Austin area average between $10 & $20 for improv, below are several websites for theatres that regularly perform improv in the Austin area.
• http://www.hideouttheatre.com/ • http://www.coldtownetheater.com/
1 • http://www.merlin-works.com/ • http://www.gigglepants.org/ • http://www.theinstitutiontheater.com/ • https://www.falloutcomedy.com/ • https://www.comedysportzaustin.com/
Also check out the Austin Improv Wiki for performances, jams, mixers and other resources: http://wiki.austinimprov.com/wiki/Main_Page
Make sure you see at least two different improv groups, and that the shows you see are improv and not sketch comedy!
Additional Course Requirements: Attendance Due to the performative nature of this course attendance is imperative. Therefore, the department policy says that each student will only be allowed two (2) unexcused absences without penalty. Additionally, three (3) tardy arrivals to class will count as one absence. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of any missed classes/assignments because of religious holidays or family/health emergencies. Five (5) absences will result in automatic failure of the course unless the instructor receives written communication from the Dean’s office citing special circumstances.
Class Preparation and Participation 50 points It is absolutely essential that you not only be in class but also be prepared and willing to work. Participation in this course is absolutely essential to your learning experience and the learning experience of our ensemble. The success of any improvisational work is largely driven by the commitment and collaborative ethos of the entire ensemble. Participation is more than just showing up, it means actively engaging in the exercises and discussions in class. The expectation is that you will always play to the highest level your intelligence and respect the instructor and your classmates as we take risks and engage in the challenges of our work together.
In this course you will be graded on effort, commitment, growth, and a willingness to fail, not on talent. Therefore, an open mind, supportive attitude, and a willingness to take risks and participate wholeheartedly are important for your success. Please let me know if you have any illness or physical limitations that may inhibit your participation in class.
Performance Responses (2 responses, each worth 30 points) 60 points This term you will be required to see two live improv shows of your own choosing and write a response for each performance (they must be improv shows, not stand-up or sketch comedy). You are responsible for choosing which shows to attend, but you must see two different groups perform.
Students will write a 500-700 word typed, double-spaced, response paper for each performance. The paper should discuss the performance’s relevance to our work in class along with your personal experience of the performance event. Unlike your journal entries, these papers are expected to be more formal in style, utilizing standard
2 college level grammar and mechanics. Each paper is due within one week of seeing the performance. No papers will be accepted after Weds, Apr 29, 2019 at 5:00pm.
Process Journal (20 journals @ 5 points each) 100 points Over the course of the semester you will be required to keep a process journal, in response to the reading assignments, your experience in the previous class, the things you learned watching others work, and your own discoveries as a performer and human being. Each journal entry should be a minimum of 250 words and should be uploaded to Canvas before the start of the class in which it is due in order to be counted as on time; while you’ll receive deductions for late journals, late is definitely better than never.
Emphasis is not placed on “writing well,” feel free to be creative. What matters is that you personally reflect on the assigned reading and on what you’re learning from both doing and observing in class. Your journal entries should make it clear that you are doing the reading. While you don’t have to summarize the whole thing, you should reference the contents of the reading enough that there is no question in my mind that you’re keeping up.
Short Form Improvisation 40 points This performance is a series of short rule-based improv games facilitated by a host and based on audience suggestions, typically 20-25 minutes in length. Students will form small groups and choose a series of three games to perform for the class. After the performance, the class will respond to the overall energy and flow of the performance and individual choices they saw made on stage. Groups will be assessed on their ability to: introduce the activities, take and use suggestions, play within and with the rules of the games, give and receive offers, and work as an ensemble. This performance will occur around mid-term, the specific date will depend on our in-class progress as a group, and will be announced in class a minimum of one week before the performance will take place. Expectations will be discussed in further detail in class before your performance.
Longform Improvisation 50 points This performance is a series of connected improv scenes and games that are all linked by a single audience suggestion. The class will be divided into teams and each team will be asked to perform a 25-30 minute-long form improv show based on the tenets of the Harold structure. After the performance, the class will respond to the choices within scene work and overall cohesiveness of the show. Groups will be assessed on their ability to: build scenes, find and play game, support scene partners, callback offers, work as an ensemble, and generate a cohesive story or thematically based performance. This performance will serve as your final exam. Expectations will be discussed in further detail in class before your performance.
Communication: The best way to reach me is via email, and while I check email regularly I do not check it hourly. I will endeavor to respond to your emails in a timely fashion but do not expect instantaneous responses or you will be sadly disappointed. In other words, a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part. Additionally, if something is important enough to tell me please write it down in a note or in an email.
3 Class Etiquette • Arriving late, unprepared or unwilling to work in class will not only affect your grade but it also affects your classmates’ ability to concentrate, focus, and complete their work. Theatre is a collaborative art and we rely on one another. Bad feelings result from irresponsible behavior and this makes it virtually impossible to create the kind of atmosphere where creative, productive, and imaginative work can take place.
• While in class, all cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off; you will lose daily participation points if you choose to take a call or text in class. There is no reason to have your phones out in class, I don’t even want to see them.
• No eating is permitted during class; however, drinks are permissible in no-spill containers.
• It is important that you wear comfortable clothes in which you can move freely and fully. Wearing improper clothing will not excuse you from the day's class work.
• You are expected to act with respect towards your classmates at all times. Take care of one another. Respond honestly but thoughtfully and respectfully in all situations.
Tentative Class Schedule – Subject to Change ***Readings are due on the date they are listed***
Week 1 Weds, Jan 22nd Introduction and Orientation Week 2 Mon, Jan 27th Labor Day – No Class Reading and Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter Weds, Jan 29th 1: What Is Improv, Anyway?
Week 3 Reading & Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter 2: Mon, Feb 3rd But Seriously, Folks… Reading & Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter 3: Weds, Feb 5th Support and Trust Week 4 Reading & Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter 4: Mon, Feb 10th Agreement Reading & Journal Due: The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, Introduction and Weds, Feb 12th Chapter 1: What is a Base Reality? Week 5 Reading & Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter 5 Mon, Feb 17th Initiations and Game Moves Reading & Journal Due: The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, Chapter 2: How to Weds, Feb 19th Create a Base Reality
4 Week 6 Reading & Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter 6 Mon, Feb 24th Moment to Moment to Moment Weds, Feb 26th No Journal Due Week 7 Reading & Journal Due: The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, Chapter 3 & 4: What is Mon, Mar 2nd a Game? and Finding Game Reading and Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter Weds, Mar 4th 7 Building a Scene Week 8 Reading & Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter 8 Mon, Mar 9th One Mind, Many Bodies Journal Due: On your process, progress, and in class Weds, Mar 11th reflections. Week 9 Mar 16th & Mar 18th Spring Break – No Classes Week 10 Reading & Journal Due: The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, Chapter 5: Playing Mon, Mar 23rd Game Reading & Journal Due: The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, Chapter 6: Using Weds, Mar 25th Character to Play Game Week 11 Reading & Journal Due: The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, Chapter 7: Using Mon, Mar 30th Support Moves to Play Game as a Group Weds, Apr 1st No Journal Due Week 12 Reading & Journal Due: Truth in Comedy, Chapter 9 Mon, Apr 6th Environmentally Aware Weds, Apr 8th No Journal Due Week 13 Reading & Journal Due: The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual, Chapter 8: Helpful Mon, Apr 13th Hints & Hazards Weds, Apr 15th No Journal Due Week 14 Journal Due: Based on the following: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/532/magic-words/act- Mon, Apr 20th two Journal Due: Based on the following: https://www.npr.org/2011/08/15/139585522/improv-for- Weds, Apr 22nd alzheimer-s-a-sense-of-accomplishmentCheck
5 Week 15 Mon, Apr 27th No Journal Due Journal Due: On your process, progress, and in class reflections. Weds, Apr 29th *Last Day Performance Responses will be Accepted! Week 16 Mon, May 4th Longform Improvisations Weds, May 6th Longform Improvisations
***There will be no final exam in this class; your Long Form Improvisation will serve as your final examination.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS INFORMATION Regarding Scholastic Dishonesty The University defines academic dishonesty as cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsifying academic records, and any act designed to avoid participating honestly in the learning process. Scholastic dishonesty also includes, but is not limited to, providing false or misleading information to receive a postponement or extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment, and submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor. By accepting this syllabus, you have agreed to these guidelines and must adhere to them. Scholastic dishonesty damages both the student’s learning experience and readiness for the future demands of a work-career. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. For more information on scholastic dishonesty, please visit the Student Judicial services Web site at http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/.
Services for Students with Disabilities The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471- 6259, 471-4641 TTY.
Religious Holidays Religious holy days sometimes conflict with class and examination schedules. If you miss a work assignment or other project due to the observance of a religious holy day you will be given an opportunity to complete the work missed within a reasonable time after the absence. It is the policy of the University of Texas at Austin that you must notify each of your instructors at least fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates you will be absent to observe a religious holy day.
University Electronic Mail Notification Policy All students should become familiar with the University’s official e-mail student notification policy. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the University informed as to changes in his or her e-mail address. Students are expected to check e-mail on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with University-related communications, recognizing that certain communications may be time-critical. It is recommended that e-mail be checked daily, but at a minimum, twice per week. The complete text of this policy and instructions for updating your e-mail address are available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/policies/emailnotify.html. In this course e-mail will be used as a means of communication with students. You will be responsible for checking your e-mail regularly for class work and announcements.
Undergraduate Writing Center The Undergraduate Writing Center, located in the FAC 211, phone 471-6222, offers individualized assistance to students who want to improve their writing skills. There is no charge, and students may come in on a drop-in or appointment basis.
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