Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	04/21/2026
Top Code	100700 - Dramatic Arts
Units	0 Total Units (Lecture Units 2.5;  Lab/Other Units 0)
Hours	72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 45; Lab Hours 27)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Total Student Learning Hours	72
Course Credit Status	Noncredit (N)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	Yes; Repeat Limit 99
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	P/NP/SP Non-Credit (D)

Course Description

This noncredit course is designed for older adults who want practical participation in acting and improvisation for the stage. Areas of study include acting and improvisation techniques. Students are expected to participate in exercises in acting, improvisation, speech, movement, and diction. Students will also learn skills to present a scene or monologue taken from published classical and contemporary comedic and dramatic plays. Not Transferable.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Develop beginning acting and improvisation skills appropriate for an older adult.
2. Practice working in a comedic or dramatic ensemble on stage as appropriate for an older adult.

Course Objectives

• Use beginning acting techniques appropriate for an older adult including elements of speech, movement, diction, character development and stage improvisation.
• Apply beginning acting techniques appropriate for an older adult to prepare, rehearse, and perform selected theatrical literature.

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Lecture Content

1. Introduction to Acting
   1. Acting terminology and vocabulary
   2. Parts of the stage
   3. Exercises
   4. Movement
   5. Warm-Ups
   6. Agility, walking, sitting, standing
   7. Relaxation
2. Preparation
   1. Acting with others  
   2. Memorization methods
3. Scene Study and Monologues
   1. Finding your character
   2. Magic If
4. Basic improvisation techniques
   1. Composing a scene or monologue without preparation
   2. Critical listening
   3. Critical watching

Lab Content

1. Rehearsing and performing  
2. Scenes
3. Monologues 
4. Improvisations
5. Stage business

Method(s) of Instruction

• Regular NC Lab (NC4)
• Regular NC Lect (NC3)

Instructional Techniques

NA

Reading Assignments

Instructor handouts Published play scripts and librettos Online industry websites

Writing Assignments

NA

Out-of-class Assignments

Acting exercises as assigned Rehearsal of acting presentations

Methods of Student Evaluation

• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Problem Solving Exercises
• Oral Presentations
• Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Evaluation and discussion of class presentations in improvisation and acting

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Oral critiques of acting and improvisation scenes

Resources Subscreen

• Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

• Drama/theater Arts: Master’s degree or Master of Fine Arts in drama/theater arts/performance OR bachelor’s degree or Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama/theater/performance AND master’s degree in comparative literature, English, communication studies, speech, literature, or humanities OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.