The study of Drama introduces students to theories and processes for artistic development, it allows them to develop skills as creative, imaginative and critical thinkers.
At Years 9 and 10, the Drama program provides a transition through to the VCE requirements for Theatre Studies and Drama. Areas of study may include: Performance Styles, Production Areas, Theatre Making and Production Presentation.
Unit 1 Stereotypes & Caricatures
This unit explores stereotypes and caricatures through an understanding of expressive skills, exaggeration, and collaboration. Self-devised pieces connected to a genre will explore the key ingredients and students will be introduced to a range of dramatic terminology and target audiences.
Unit 2 Ensembles
This unit is introduced to students through a range of focus and skill activities. Key theatrical conventions are introduced and explored. Students work in changing groups investigating transformation of time, character, place and object, as well as a variety of other conventions. Themes and issues are manipulated, and students document the process and present their explorations to the class.
Unit 3 Musical Theatre
This unit is introduced to the students through an analysis of key musicals and the role this genre has (now and historically) played in the Theatre world. Short scenes will be explored with the focus on storytelling, character relationships, the dynamics and rhythm of scenes and the importance of choreography, song and musical numbers being interspersed. This unit will culminate in class performances and if available, attending a professional production.
Unit 4 Realism
Realism explores the expressive skills used in characterisation while interpreting a script. This may include role and role relationship; sustained performance of character; other dramatic elements: for example, dramatic tension, mood establishment, exploration of movement, and use of space; experimentation with voice, movement, gestures and facial expressions, whilst also exploring the concepts of commitment and belief.
Unit 5 Production Areas
This unit focuses on the development and application of skills in using stagecraft elements. This may include text realisation using stagecraft: costume, lighting, props, sound, makeup and set design. An exploration of the effects of colour, line, texture and shape on mood, time, period and character are key areas of consideration.
Unit 6 Production Presentation
This unit aims to consolidate on the knowledge explored in the previous units and to interpret or devise a relevant piece of theatre for an audience. This is the culmination of skills learnt and a celebration of creativity and imagination.
Practical units are assessed with regular feedback, often culminating in a performance task which assesses the process as well as the final product. An end- of-first- semester examination will test the content of both practical and theory projects. An end of year performance will be the culmination of the year’s learning and assess both the process and their performance.
Learning Tasks
Four types of learning tasks may be undertaken in each unit of the Drama program:
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