THTR 1120 - History of Comedy

1. View a play or film and classify it according to comic structure and style.
2. Identify examples of various comedic genres (farce, satire, black comedy, tragicomedy, etc.).
3. Explain the stylistic links between contemporary American comedy and the comedy of other historical periods.
4. View a play or film and explain ways in which the performers and director may have interpreted the author’s intent.
5. Distinguish between accomplished comic and dramatic acting styles.
6. Explain the influence of early theatrical naturalism (Stanislavski) on American comic acting.
7. Explain the role of improvisation training in the development of contemporary American comic actors.
8. Explain the role of television on the comic sensibilities of the American audience.
9. Explain the social and political influences that shaped Greek comedy.
10. Identify the primary characteristics of the comic plays of Aristophanes and explain their influence of subsequent comedy.
11. Explain the social and political influences that shaped Elizabethan comedy.
12. Identify the primary characteristics of the comic plays of Shakespeare and explain their influence on subsequent comedy.
13. Explain the social and political influences that shaped commedia dell’arte.
14. Identify the primary characteristics of commedia dell’arte performances and explain their influence on subsequent comedy.
15. Explain the social and political influences that shaped vaudeville.
16. Identify the primary characteristics of vaudeville comedy and explain their influence on subsequent comedy.
17. Explain how vaudeville provided a stylistic transition in American entertainment from the stage to the screen.
18. Trace the history of vaudeville through the end of the silent film era.
19. Distinguish between the comic approaches of Chaplin, Keaton, and Laurel & Hardy.
20. Define the term “screwball comedy” and explain its significance.
21. Explain the social and political influences that shape contemporary American comedy.
22. Express an informed, personal, critical reaction to comic elements of specific productions.

1. Comic structure
2. Comic genres/styles
3. Greek comedy
4. Elizabethan comedy
5. Commedia dell’arte
6. Vaudeville
7. Silent film comedy
8. Contemporary American comedy