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Project requirements: Portfolio of theatre criticism
According to the NESA website, this project comprises 4 reviews of live theatre performances attended during the HSC course. Each review should be 800 words in length and use a style appropriate for theatre criticism.
The project must include:
a 300-word rationale
4 reviews.
The reviews should each be comprised of:
a statement describing the impact and importance of the production
a discussion of significant aspects of the production
information about the style, design and ideas in the production
contributions made by the different members of the creative team that produced it
a well-supported and analytical judgement of the quality of the production
a style appropriate for theatre criticism.
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
More NESA advice
More NESA advice
Publication format
The Portfolio of Theatre Criticism must be the result of attending 4 theatre performances during the HSC course. The reviews may be done in a range of styles suitable for theatre criticism. The Portfolio of Theatre Criticism may be for a real or hypothetical publication.
Exclusions
Students may provide theatre criticism for plays listed on the Text List for Individual Projects. Students should not provide theatre criticism for plays studied as part of Studies in Drama and Theatre or plays studied in their HSC English course(s) or any other of their HSC courses.
Musicals/musical theatre/opera
Students may undertake a critical analysis of a musical/musical theatre/opera provided the focus of the analysis and criticism remains on the dramatic elements of the production and not the musical features. Selecting productions for theatre criticism should allow students enough scope to demonstrate skills in analysis, evaluation and judgement about live theatre performances.
Amateur, interstate and international productions
The Portfolio of Theatre Criticism can cover any theatrical event professional or amateur and be based on live theatre performances locally or from interstate or overseas.
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Learning from other students
There are several reasons why learning from your peers is effective. You share a similar language and perspective. Seeing what other students have done to achieve success can support your understanding.
In this lesson students will respond to the ideas and experiences of a successful HSC drama portfolio of theatre criticism student.
'It was a really good experience for me...actually analyzing how the production elements of the piece of theatre all came together to create dramatic meaning on stage.'
'It was a really good experience for me...actually analyzing how the production elements of the piece of theatre all came together to create dramatic meaning on stage.'
Jason Marchant discusses his IP titled 'The Highs and Lows of Australian Theatre in 2018', Student Interviews about Stage 6 Drama.
Student activity 1 - Example of a successful approach
The interview above is part of a series in which Year 12 students discuss the development of their individual projects - including their use of the drama logbook. Each student reflects on their journey towards the successful completion of their individual project.
The interview above is part of a series in which Year 12 students discuss the development of their individual projects - including their use of the drama logbook. Each student reflects on their journey towards the successful completion of their individual project.
On a new page in your individual project logbook or in a new digital document create a concept map to summarise the successful student's approach to their chosen individual project. You might use one of the concept mapping tools in the digital learning selector on the NSW Department of Education website to record your responses.
View the interview with Jason Marchant above.
Summarise the experience of the student in concept map format. Make notes on your concept map as you watch the video. Stop the video so that you can jot down ideas. Add more branches to your concept map where appropriate.
Share and discuss your summary in pairs or in a small group. Consider: What were some of the strongest messages that came out of the interview? What new information did you learn about the process of developing this individual project? What was already familiar and reinforced through the interview?
Criteria for examining the Individual project: Portfolio of theatre criticism
The NESA website lists the following criteria for examining the portfolio of theatre criticism.
For the Individual Project: Critical Analysis (Portfolio of Theatre Criticism), a mark out of 10 is awarded for each of the 3 criteria, giving a total mark out of 30.
Criteria 1: Selection and evaluation (10 marks)
identifying the style, design and ideas in the production
evaluating the significant aspects of the production
distinguishing and commenting on the different ways the script, the director, designers and performers contribute to the production.
Criteria 2: Analysing and synthesising (10 marks)
skill in analysing specific aspects of the production
evidence of knowledge/research into understanding of the script/style of theatre
coherent critical statements about the production.
Criteria 3: Language and style (10 marks)
clarity, appropriateness and flair of reviewing style(s)
coherence of structure.
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Student activity 2 - Strategies for success
Student activity 2 - Strategies for success
Explore the Audrey Journal site above and choose 2-3 reviews by different theatre critics to examine more closely.
As you read each review, find and highlight examples of the project requirement components below. You may like to use 6 different colours to highlight examples of the 6 different requirements. You could print and keep a copy of this in your logbook.
A statement describing the impact and importance of the production.
A discussion of significant aspects of the production.
Information about the style, design and ideas in the production.
Contributions made by the different members of the creative team that produced it.
A well-supported and analytical judgement of the quality of the production.
A style appropriate for theatre criticism.
Share and discuss your highlighted reviews with your teacher. You can use these annotated reviews to guide the development of your own portfolio of theatre criticism project.
Student activity 3 - Apply new understanding
Student activity 3 - Apply new understanding
Explore the upcoming productions being staged in next 6 months by local theatre companies.
In your logbook or a digital document, make a list/links to a variety of productions you might attend and review during your HSC year. Thinking about the marking criteria, include reasons why you might choose each production.
Share and discuss your list with your teacher. You can use this list for planning the development of your portfolio of theatre criticism.
Student activity 4 - What's in it for me?
Student activity 4 - What's in it for me?
Considering everything you now know about the project requirements, peer approaches, and marking criteria, how do you feel about this individual project option? Keep a record of your response in your logbook or in digital form and then let your teacher know what you are thinking by completing the individual project questionnaire at the end of this module.
References and images
References and images
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Course Prescriptions for Drama Stage 6 (2025-2027), NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2019 - 2024, date accessed 23/07/2024.
Drama HSC practical marking guidelines, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2002, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Digital learning selector, date accessed 28/09/2021
"Audrey journal", date accessed 24/09/2021.
"Yes or no image" by Cottonbro is in the Public Domain
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