Faculty Syllabus

For the Department of Drama:  The purpose of Austin Community College’s Drama Program, playing its part in seeking to support the overall mission of Austin Community College, is to provide students with the opportunity to achieve an Associate of Arts Degree, which is compatible with and comparable to the first two years of Drama education at other universities and colleges. It also seeks to prepare degree and non-degree students for industry jobs through real experiences on and behind the stage, and to establish competency in voice and diction, movement, improvisation, scene work, audition techniques, production work, stagecraft, and theater history. 

DRAM 1120 is a Laboratory course in phases of theater. Students are assigned areas compatible with experience and/or interest.

This course requires the completion of “lab hours” equivalent to the time necessary to work on one main stage production.  Participation on the running crew of one show is mandatory. 

PREREQUISITES

None

REQUIRED TEXT:       

The Stage Management Handbook by Daniel A. Ionazzi. 

Other readings as assigned and provided by the instructor via Blackboard.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To introduce students to various skill sets and potential careers in theater
2. To understand the division of labor and collaborative work of theatrical production
3. To discover the duties that theatrical professionals perform through practice and experience
4. To analyze the production process
5. To gain confidence working in a production environment

GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this general education component of the associate degree, students will demonstrate competence in:

• Communication Skills: Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
• Personal Responsibility: Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by connecting choices, actions and consequences
• Social Responsibility (Civic and Cultural Awareness): Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
• Teamwork: Consider different points of view to work collaboratively and effectively in pursuit of a shared purpose or goal.

PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (Drama Department):

Performance Skills - Students will demonstrate proficiency in the skills of the performer's physical and vocal instrument and the application of acting and performance techniques.

Dramatic Analysis & Criticism - Students will engage in comprehensive analysis and critique of dramatic works, exploring how scripts inform performance and design. Through peer review and collaborative feedback, they will develop critical thinking skills to evaluate the artistic and technical aspects of theatrical productions, fostering a deeper understanding of storytelling and its visual and performative elements.

Techniques and Craftsmanship - Students will master the use of materials, methods, and techniques to create well-crafted projects, adhering to industry standards. They will develop skills in maintaining professional documentation, including detailed reports, prompt books, and project records, reflecting best practices in the field. This will involve utilizing resources such as professional websites and production handbooks to ensure that their work is informed by current industry standards and methodologies.

Design Principles - Students will apply a variety of skills, methods, and technologies to create works that demonstrate basic knowledge of formal elements and principles of design

Professionalism in Collaboration - Students will demonstrate professional decorum and discipline in collaboration with members of a dramatic production.

The following assignments will each have its own separate Instructions/Guideline Handout .

Lab Hours: Theater Practicum students will be assigned a run crew, board op, or similar position during the tech week and performance dates of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors

Quizzes:

You are responsible for all reading and viewing all PowerPoint lectures for this class. Readings are mapped out for you in the class schedule; PowerPoint lectures will also be posted on Blackboard. You will be tested over the content of those reading assignments and PowerPoint lectures through quizzes. Students will receive advance notice of a when a quiz will take place each week.

Reflection Paper:

Students will turn in a 2 page reflection paper at the end of lab hours being fulfilled, informing the instructor of their progress in lab hours/crew assignment in the past semester- detailing what they worked on, what they learned, and what concerns they may have.

Reports:

Students will create and turn in a mock Rehearsal or Performance Report from the perspective of a stage manager for a current production.

Technology Presentation:

Students will turn in a PowerPoint presentation on one technological aid a stage manager could use to help in the organization and/or communication process when working on a production.

Script Analysis Project:

Students of DRAM 1120 will be required to submit a play analysis on a short play or scene as part of their coursework.  This will involve reading, interpreting, analyzing, and annotating the assigned text in the manner one would expect of a Stage Manager. Scripts for this project will be made available to you in Blackboard.

“Calling the Show” YouTube Project:

Students will be given a link to a filmed theatrical performance and will call all cues necessary for that performance. 

LATE/MISSED WORK:

All assignments, exams, projects, and presentations are due by the date designated in the schedule WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

Internet or other technical issues do NOT change the due date of any assignment.

All assignments, quizzes, projects, and presentations not submitted by the due date will result in a ZERO grade.

Exceptions to this policy will ONLY be made in the case of EXTREME emergencies.

If an exception to this late work policy is made, ANY WORK submitted AFTER THE ORIGINAL DUE DATE WILL BE PENALIZED 10%. The late work MUST be submitted NO LATER than ONE WEEK after the ORIGINAL DUE DATE.

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION:

Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

NO USE OF AI (Generative AI)

 In this course, the use of generative AI (GAI) technologies is strictly prohibited to preserve academic integrity and ensure the development of student competencies.

Rationale: The prohibition is in place to encourage original thought, manual problem-solving skills, and to maintain equity in educational opportunities and assessments.

Definition of GAI: Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can generate text, images, or other content based on minimal input. This includes chatbots, image generation tools, and code assistants.

Usage Permissions: Prohibited: Students are not allowed to use GAI for completing assignments, projects, tests, or any form of assessment in this course.

Penalties: Any violation of this policy will result in academic penalties which may include a failing grade for the activity, reporting to academic affairs, and further disciplinary action.

Exceptions: Exceptions to this policy will only be made under specific circumstances approved by the instructor, typically where technology is used to accommodate learning differences. 

HARASSMENT/CYBERBULLYING:

The college is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of its students and will not tolerate harassment. Harassment is defined as oral or written expression or physical conduct that: is severe, pervasive, or persistent; is directed at a specific person or group; has the purpose or effect of creating a hostile environment. This includes harassment through ACC email, blackboard or social media/third party sites not directly affiliated with the college. Reported instances of harassment are subject to punishment per the college's policy on prohibited acts and may be reported to outside law enforcement.