DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Value-added Course
“Stage Ready: A Beginner’s Course in the Theatre, Stand-up comedy and Public Performance”
July 2025 – March 2026
The Department of English, St Agnes College conducted a 30-hour Value-added course titled: “Stage Ready: A Beginner’s Course in Theatre, Stand-up Comedy and Public Performance” for Undergraduate students between July 2025 – March 2026 and the Valedictory programme of the course was conducted on 18 March 2026. Thirty Seven students attended the course. The course was conducted in 4 phases and was followed by stage performances and evaluation exercises. The four phases were
Phase 1
“Comedy is Therapy: How to Get a Chuckle Out of Life” : Workshop by Dr Jenice Jean Goveas
The Department of English organised two workshops which were the inaugural sessions of the Value-added Course “Stage Ready: A Beginner’s Course In The Theatre, Stand-Up Comedy And Public Performance”. On 25 July 2025, a stand-up comedy workshop “Comedy is Therapy: How to Get a Chuckle Out of Life” was conducted by Dr Jenice Jean Goveas, Stand-up Comedian, New Zealand. She co-produces two comedy shows: ‘Laughs on Drafts’ and ‘Sidesplitters’ in Wellington and entertains with her stage name ‘Jenice the Menace’. She is an Alumnus of St. Agnes School and College. Formerly public policy researcher with the Govt of India, and now a Public Servant in New Zealand, , Dr Goveas. Preparing an irritation inventory, understanding the joke structure, the comedy formula, different types of comedy, sharing embarrassment, commanding the stage like a pro, were some that the activities that she engaged the students in. 37 students who registered for the value-added course attended the workshop.
Phase 2
Theatre Workshop by Mr. Ujwal U.V.
On 28 July 2025, the Department of English organized an engaging workshop on Theatre by Mr. Ujwal U.V., a theatre practitioner under “Stage Ready: A beginner’s course in the theatre, stand-up comedy and public performance” The session was organised by the Department of English and hosted by Erum, Secretary, LitWit and Western Dramatics Association. Mr. Ujwal led students through various interactive activities focused on expression through acting and games, making the session dynamic and enjoyable. He touched upon all the aspects of theatre, with particular emphasis on acting skills, voice modulation and body language.
Phase 3
Horror storytelling session by Dr. Geralyn Pinto
The participants of the Value-added course attended a captivating horror storytelling session on August 30, 2025, titled Night of Shadows, featuring award winning writer Dr. Geralyn Pinto as the esteemed speaker. Dr. Pinto initiated the session by sharing valuable storytelling tips, setting the stage for an immersive experience. As Dr. Pinto began narrating her thrilling stories, the audience was completely enthralled. The PG English students played a significant role in creating a suitable ambiance for the event, complete with thoughtful decor and music that perfectly complemented the theme. The event not only provided a platform for students to appreciate the art of storytelling but was also a learning experience on the techniques used.
Phase 4
On Stage Public Speaking by Dr Malini Hebbar
A workshop on public speaking was conducted by Dr Malini Hebbar, a much sought after Communication skills trainer on 2 February 2026. It was engaging and practical, blending interactive activities with concise guidance. Participants practiced impromptu talks, group discussions, and exercises that built confidence and clarity. Between activities, the facilitator shared useful tips, along with clear dos and don’ts on posture, voice modulation, eye contact, and audience connection. Constructive feedback helped attendees identify strengths and areas for improvement. The balanced structure kept energy high and ensured continuous learning. By the end, participants demonstrated noticeable progress in delivery and organization, leaving with workable tips to overcome stage fear and communicate effectively in diverse settings on the stage.
UNIT 5: Final Rehearsals and Performance
The participants of this Value-added course joined the members of the LITWIT association in putting up an abridged and modern version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, for which participants worked on the script, took up roles, and worked on the sets and costumes.
Evaluation was done on the basis of contribution to the play as well as on their performance on a given exercise to Write a 3–5 Minute Performance Script. The Objective of the script was to Evaluate students’ ability to:
Develop an engaging idea
Structure a short performance
Write for a live audience
Use humor, storytelling, or persuasion
The Task was that
Students must write a script for a 3–5-minute stage performance in one of the following formats:
Stand-Up Comedy
Dramatic Monologue
Persuasive Oration
Choosing one theme from the list given. Grades between O (outstanding) A+ (Very Good), A (Good) and B (Satisfactory) were awarded to the participants on the basis of their performance.
Valedictory and Certificate Distribution
The Valedictory programme of the course was conducted on 18 March 2026 with Mrs Shanthi Nazareth, Dean Administration as the Chief Guest. In her address, she urged the students to make the most of this highly relevant and interesting course that they had attended. Certificates were distributed to all the participants.
