Drama - Stage 6

Why Study Drama in Stage 6?

Drama in Year 11 and 12 is a PRACTICAL and creative subject which provides opportunities for students to become informed dramatic practitioners through the central and interrelated practices of making, performing and critically reflecting. It is a 2 unit ATAR subject.

Year 11 Focus Areas:

Forms and styles
improvising and devising
scripts in practice

Year 12 Focus Areas

Australian Drama and Theatre - TWO prescribed dramatic works
Approaches to Drama and Theatre - ONE ensemble performance which draws on the approaches of ONE prescribed practitioner as inspiration
Individual Project - students initiates, structures and shaoes and individual project in ONE of the following dramatic forms:
- - design (costume OR promotio OR set)
  - Director's Folio
  - Performance
  - Scriptwriting
  - Short Film

Structure of HSC Examination in Drama

1.5 hour written exam - 40%
Group (ensemble) performance - 30%
Individual Project - 30%

Drama is a 2 unit course that counts towards an ATAR.

"The demand for creativity in employees is rising in a world of rapid technological change. As more organisations value work-related creativity and diversity, the processes and practices of Drama develop transferable 21st century skills essential for many areas of employment. As people are asked to think innovatively and differently, unconventionally and from new perspectives, the role of ‘the creative’ across many workplaces is increasingly in demand." (QCAA)

Preliminary Drama

Improvising and devising

These skills are revised and extended at the start of the year to enable new students to the course to gain confidence as well as skills and experience in making theatre.

Forms and styles

Learn about many different styles of theatre over the course of history and take on the role of a director.

Scripts in action

This involves putting on a production for a live audience. As part of the process of putting on a production, students learn about the technical and design areas of theatre: lighting, costume and makeup, stage management, set design and publicity.

HSC Drama

Theoretical Content

Studies in Australian Drama and Theatre:

We study two Australian plays and explore how they make comment on Australian society.

AND

Approaches to Drama and Theatre:

(40% assessed in written exam)

Group Performance

Group Performance (30% assessed in August by visiting examiners)

One of the most important parts of Drama at high school is the experience of working within a group. This experience culminates in the Group Performance in a Drama students' HSC year.

The Group Performance is created is informed by your study of a prescribed practitioner and presented to HSC markers at our school in the middle of Term 3.

The Group Performance is marked so that every performer is evaluated individually. While the group help each other in the creation of the piece, they still receive an individual mark at the end.

Individual Project

Choose your own adventure!

In Stage 6 Drama you can specialise in an area of your own interest by choosing from a range of options for your Individual Project.

Students can choose from performance, design (set, costume, poster and publicity,) director's folio or film - 30% assessed in August

Become anyone, anywhere, at any time. That's the beauty of studying drama.

Develop your self-confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's different about studying Drama?

It is largely practical. 60% of your examination for Drama will be over by the first week of September, leaving you lots of time to focus on the written examination for all subjects.

How much 'theory' is involved?

40% of the course is theoretical. In Drama you need to be able to write about and reflect on your experiences of theatre and drama. This is in the form of informal Logbook entries and occasionally in more structured writing situations. In Drama we write about our experience so our essays are a combination of creative and structured writing styles, which is a very natural style in which to write.

Do I have to perform?

Yes...and no. The core component is a Group Performance and everyone must complete this. However, your Individual Project can be either performance, video, design (set, costume, lighting or poster and publicity) or critical analysis(research project, scriptwriting, reviews or director's folio). So there are lots of choices and lots of ways to maximise your marks by doing something you are good at and enjoy.

Is there an exam?

Yes. 1.5 hour exam in the HSC exam block where you will write two essays.

Can I still get an ATAR?

Absolutely. Drama is a 2 unit Category A subject.

Does it matter if I didn't do Drama in Stage 5?

No. The course is designed so that you can enter without having studied Drama before. However, it would be beneficial to you to have some performance experience.

Are there any associated costs?

We aim to attend one excursion per year in addition to Onstage, which is a selection of exemplary works and performances from the HSC.

You are responsible for any costs associated with your HSC Major Work (generally minimal costs for performance)

Extra-curricular opportunities

These opportunties are available to all Performing Arts students and are entirely OPTIONAL.

Musicals

Theatresports Representative Team

Junior Theatre Festival

USA Tour

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