Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	10/01/2024
Top Code	100700 - Dramatic Arts
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 45; Lab Hours 27)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S),  Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)	Area 3 Arts and Humanities (GC)

Course Description

This course encompasses the study, rehearsal, and performance of individual and group scenes of improvisation. Areas of study will include principles and techniques of improvisational acting specifically designed to increase the actor’s creativity, problem solving, and performance skills in theater, film, and television genres. Emphasis will be placed on the creative process as well as individual performance, ensemble work, and the development of the actor’s physical, vocal, and emotional instrument as it relates to improvisational performance. Students are required to attend Golden West College Theater Arts department productions. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Course Outcomes
2. Perform techniques of improvisation through short and long form exercises.
3. Apply required skills to audition, rehearse, and perform in an improvisational acting presentation for theater, film, or television.
4. Use improvisation terms and vocabulary to evaluate a live or filmed improvisational performance.
5. Describe the history of improvisation, improvisation theory, and practices.

Course Objectives

• 1. Employ terminology and the basics of stage technique as used in improvisation.
• 2. Combine physical and verbal offers in an improvised scene.
• 3. Create an environment for an improvised scene.
• 4. Demonstrate character and scene objectives in an improvised scene.

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Lecture Content

Historical background of improvisation for the theater Commedia dell'Arte Contemporary improvisation Concepts of improvisational acting for the theater Playing the scene Stage presence Sense and emotional recall Concentration and relaxation Risk taking Techniques of improvisation for the theater Don't deny Show, do not tell Listening, concentration, anticipation Learning from others Attitude, voice, physicality, environment Timing, rhythm Plot, conflict Ensemble and collaboration Styles and genres Concepts and techniques of improvisation for film Audition techniques Rehearsal techniques Performance techniques Concepts and techniques of improvisation for television Audition techniques Rehearsal techniques Performance techniques Portfolio materials Resumes Headshots Reels

Lab Content

Improvisational games and exercises Story Person in the middle One word only Sing a song No "I" spoken Truth or lie Hidden line Change of emotion Freeze tag Genre replay Party quirks Emotional party Superheroes Characterization Vocal characterization Physical characterization Rehearsal techniques Theater Film Television Performance techniques Theater Film  Television Creating portfolio materials Resumes Headshots Reels

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• Lab (04)

Reading Assignments

Websites Trade publications Textbooks Acting journals Magazines Instructor handouts

Writing Assignments

Homework assignments Compose a written critical evaluation of a live or recorded improvisational acting performance Acting journals

Out-of-class Assignments

Create theatrical resume and headshot

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Written evaluation and/or oral discussion of class presentations Compose a written critical evaluation of a live or recorded improvisational acting performance

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Compose a written critical evaluation of a live or recorded improvisational acting performance Acting journals Use of improvisational acting techniques

Eligible Disciplines

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.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Leep, J. Short Form, Long Form and Sketch-Based Improv, 1st ed. New York, New York: Palgrave Macmillan (Classic), 2013 Rationale: Classic textbook. No newer editions. 2. Required Gwinn, P. Group Improvisation: The Manual of Ensemble Improv Games, 2nd ed. New York, New York: Meriwether Publishing (Classic), 2007 Rationale: Classic text. No newer editions available. 3. Required Spolin, V. Improvisation for the Theater, 3rd ed. (Classic): Northwestern University Press, 1999 Rationale: Classic Text. Newer editions are not available.

Other Resources

1. Trade publications 2. Magazines 3. Websites 4. Acting journals