STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Understand and evaluate principles of improvisation and stand up.

 II.     Explore fundamental forms of humor and the elements of a comic plot.

 III.    Understand and practice basics of improvisation and standup comedy.

 IV.     Understand and practice Viola Spolins` Improvisation method.

 V.      Understand and practice `Second City` Improvisation methods.

 VI.     Demonstrate improvisation techniques in characterization.

 VII.    Develop and write personal standup material.

 VIII.   Develop a stand up ¿stage persona¿

 IX.     Rehearse material in front of a class.

 X       Memorize stand up routines.

 XI.     Understand and apply communication and performance skills in improvisational and stand up comedy.

 XII.    Learn and apply risk-taking skills.

 XIII.   Explore and practice how simple action lead to complex communication.

 XIV.    Understand and apply elements of dramatic structure in comedy.

 XV.     Practice application of improvisation techniques in theatre games.

 XVI.    Participate in evaluation of in-class performances.

 XVII.   Demonstrate open, effective stage communication skills.

 XVIII.  Analyze and apply theatrical methods of performance.

 XIX.    Learn characterization, staging, blocking, movement, memorization and working as part of a team.

 XX      Audition for a comedy performance.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Overview of Improvisational and Stand-up Theatre History

         A.      Beginnings of Improvisation and Stand-up

         B.      Development of American Improvisational and Stand-up Comedy Techniques

 II.     Principles of Improvisation and Stand-up

         A.      Communication onstage

         B.      Risk-taking

         C.      Working with partners and groups

         D.      Apply improvisation to character development

 III.    Analyze Differences Between Stand-Up Comedy and Improvisational Comedy

         A.      Examine the various environmental and sociological influences on both disciplines

         B.      Demographics and audience analysis

 IV.     Dramatic Structure

         A.      Beginning, middle, end

         B.      Focus and concentration

         C.      Performing the simple action for complex results

 V.      Development of Stage Persona for Stand-up Routines

         A.      Discuss and analyze the importance of developing stage persona in stand up comedy

         B.      Write material that reflects stage persona

         C.      Rehearse memorized material before a classroom audience

         D.      Critique, rewrite materials

 VI.     Theatre Games/Improvisation Exercises

         A.      Theatre games for opening the instrument

         B.      Theatre games for characterization

         C.      Theatre games for solo, duo and group exercises

 VII.    Rehearsal Process

         A.      Participate and prepare for stage work

         B.      Critique various styles of comedy

         C.      Rehearsal scheduling

         D.      Technical Rehearsals (with actors)

         E.      Dress Rehearsals (without audience)

         F.      Final show and the dismantling of all aspects of the show and cleaning up

 VIII.   The Business of Improvisational and Stand-up Comedy

         A.      Media, advertising, marketing

         B.      Backstage areas

         C.      Employment possibilities in the comedy professions

         D.      Assigned job/jobs in final performance for paying audience