Introduction to Speech PerformanceThrough Autobiographical Performance

Introduction to Speech Performance
Through Autobiographical Performance
(On-Site and Distance)

Office Hours (Presser 421): MWF- 11 a.m.; Appointments Available

Text: Autobiographical Writing and Performing: An Introductory, Contemporary Guide to Process and Research in Speech Performance, Diane Howard, Ph.D. (McGraw-Hill)

Course Description:
This communication course is required for speech communication and performance studies students at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. It has been developed as project-based curriculum to introduce communication students to the multi-faceted arts of verbal and non-verbal communication. Writing and presenting autobiography encourages looking at issues complexly. It encourages understanding and empathy. While challenging stereotypical images, it discourages hasty judgments, based on simplistic understandings of others. It encourages close study of history and aggressive research from first-hand sources. It provides insight into cultural dynamics, such as that of gender, race, and ethnicity. It requires careful study of the art of storytelling, crafted writing skills, perceptive consideration of non-verbal communication, selective blocking of movement, attentive study of voice, and effective engagement of audiences. Performances of autobiography over distance communication technologies facilitate open communication in what seems like a therapeutic atmosphere of anonymity. Performance of autobiography provides an effective, succinct, comprehensive, and contemporary approach to the study of speech performance.

Goals:

Participants will examine autobiography broadly in terms of letters, journals, diaries, oral histories, and written autobiographies.
Participants will examine performances of autobiography.
Participants will use performance of autobiography as a method of inquiry.
Participants will use performance of autobiography to develop effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills for on-site and long-distance audiences.
Participants will demonstrate effective scriptwriting techniques.
Participants will become informed as critics of speech performance.
Participants will create a final performance of autobiography.

Requirements:

Participants are expected to attend each class session.
Class members are expected to coach and critique fellow classmates in terms of the objectives of each session.
Participants will each give final solo performances, five to ten minutes in length.

Outline: Week Assignment

Jan. 22 & 24- Study Work of Performance Studies Artists
Jan. 29 & 31-Introduction to Course-. Read Preface & Ch.1. Bring samples of autobiography for class discussion.
Feb. 5 & 7 -Learning from the History of Autobiography- Read Ch. 2. Bring scripts of performances of autobiography for class performance activities.
Feb. 12 & 14-Learning from the History of Performance- Read Ch. 3. Bring a list of historic characters to class to discuss in terms of potential role modeling effect.
Feb. 19 & 21- Choosing the Character in Light of the Role Modeling Effect of Performance of Autobiography-
Read Ch. 4. Bring a list of historic characters to class to discuss in terms research.
Feb. 26 & 28- Researching for Performance of Autobiography- Chap. 5. Research a character from original journals, diaries, autobiographies etc. Read Chapters 6 & 7.
March 11 & 13- Studying the Character, Using Performance Frames
March- 25- Script for first scene
March 27- Mid-Term Examination. Read Chapter Eight.
April 1- First draft of complete script and rehearse. Bring three copies of rough draft script for a 5-10 minute performance. Discuss Chapter Eight.
April 3- Bring three copies of current script. Rehearse scripts. Read Chapter Nine.
April 8- Bring three copies of current script. Rehearse scripts. Read Chapter Ten.
April 10- Bring three copies of current script. Rehearse scripts.
April 15 & 17- Bring three copies of current script. Rehearse scripts.
April 21 & 25- Bring three copies of current script. Run technical, dress rehearsals.
April 29- 1 p.m.- Turn in final script. Perform final scripts

Evaluation:

One third of the final course grade is to be based on in-class participation and assignments. This includes meeting deadlines, coming to class prepared with assignments, demonstrating academic integrity, and contributing positively to the class activities.
One third of the final grade is to be based on tests.
One third of the final grade is to be based on the final performance.

Appropriate Dress: Modest Clothing, no hats or flip-flop shoes

Teaching Philosophy- See http://www.dianehoward.com/phil.prac.contrib.htm

This class will adhere to Student Policies and Standards as set forth in the UMHB Student Handbook.

Workshop Requirements:
Students are expected to participate in five events from the following categories.
They are personal marketing workshops, laboratory performances,
productions (on or off campus), and/or Humanities programs/events (see calendar).