Progress+Reports

3-12-09 1. What progress have you made on your project? I have started to brainstorm materials that I could use for a stand- up routine. I am constantly thinking about it and write down ideas as they come. Also, I am now talking with my mentor about specifics for the performance, namely, where, when and how I will present my script. I am thinking that I will try to organize a performance somewhere in the school, either during the day, or after hours and have it be an open event that anyone can walk into. 2. What three specific goals do you have to accomplish next? I need to see Mr. Hackney with my proposal and see if he will okay my ideas. I need to think about what I will need to accomplish this goal and enlist the help of others. For example I need to think about where in the school I would do this (probably the auditorium if it is available) and then what I need to do to be able to use that space. Also, I need to prepare myself mentally to perform a stand-up act and continue to select information from research that will support my stand-up routine. 3. What input have you sought out for your project and how has it helped? So far I have found a topic expert. His name is Dr. Joel Schwartz and he specializes in speaking publicly about humor. I contacted him via email and he replied that he would be glad to be my topic expert. I am sure that any information he will contribute will augment project. Also, I have also sought out a lot of input from my mentor Alanna. She offers me a lot of ideas that have helped me to begin to specify my project plans.

3-25-09 1. What progress have you made on your project? Since two weeks ago, I have started to focus on the tasks I need to complete instead of the ideas. I made an appointment with Mr. Hackney just to propose my ideas about doing a stand up routine. He said it would be fine to do that and because I told him I'd like to do it in a smaller setting he suggested the little theater. Also, this week I called my topic mentor and he told me that he is doing a presentation on humor and stress for professionals at Abington Hospital this weekend. So I called the hospital to ask them if they would mind, because Dr. Schwartz generously offered to allow me to come and take notes. I could not get through to the occupational health department at that time so I searched online for the number and plan on calling today. Additionally, I typed a rough draft of my project script and am going to consult my mentor for feedback. On a smaller scale, I found a book called __Laughter: A Scientific Investigation__. So I will read sections of it to see if it is useful. 2. What three specific goals do you have to accomplish next? Next, I need to see Mrs. Thorton about using the little theater. I may also ask Mrs. Thorton if she has any suggestions for my daunting obstacle of public speaking. Lastly, I need to continue to revise my script and seek more input from others. 3. What input have you sought out for your project and how has it helped? I spoke to my topic expert, showed my rough script to a friend, and asked Mr. Hackney about his thoughts on the possibility of using school time and facilities for my project presentation. The feedback has been helpful because now I am more goal directed in what I need to do.

4-3-09 1. I wrote many pages of my paper this week. I also got a book I've started reading about humor that will help me. 2. I still need to talk to Mrs. Thorton and set an exact date for my project. 3. I have used the elibrary resource to find several books. Also, I am continuing to ask for input on my ideas for my stand-up routine.

4-15-09 1. I've continued to read information about stand-up. Also, I am planning on talking to Mrs. Thorton tommorow. Then I am continuing to revise my script. 2. I need to finalize my script so that I can practice it, because I hope to present it in the first week of may. 3. I have been talking to my mentor and will be getting more feedback from Mrs. Thorton, hopefully soon.

4-25-09 1. I have done a lot to advance the organization of this project this week. I spoke with Mrs. Thorton about using the little theater as a venue for a stand-up routine sometime in early May. She proposed that I ask students in her theater II class to participate as well. Mr. Macfarland had initially suggested a collaborative performance, but I did not really know who to ask and how to ask. So far a few people have generously volunteered to preform their origonal stand-up or comedy monologues. (Lewis Miller, Josh K., Nick Picknally, Emily Morris and possibly Meredith Bleemer). So the final date will be May 5th or 6th (depending on other people's availability) and it will take place during C Block so we can run a "Show" during each lunch period. Along with organizing this week I have continued to write, revise, edit etc; my own material and have focused on reading books about comedy and watching youtube videos of comedians for modeling purposes. Also I have asked my friend Mariel to work the lights for the show. 2. I need to continue to speak with Mrs. Thorton's class and then rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Also, I want to email my script to Dr. Schwartz and ask him to edit it. 3. Mrs. Thorton has been so helpful in weaving together my intentions for the project into a plan.