Dramatic Arts

Dramatic Arts

HOD: Mrs Bronwen Kemp

Compulsory: No

Does it count for APS: Yes, full points awarded

Required for further studying: No

Useful for: Serves as an excellent confidence booster, but more specifically: drama, theatre, acting, producing, directing, advertising.

Practical component: Yes. Dramatic Arts includes a Performance Assessment Task (PAT) which requires additional time outside of classroom time.

Special requirements/recommendations: Learners will also be required to own a set of ‘theatre neutrals’ to perform their PAT and Practical Examinations in. These consist of: a plain black t-shirt and black shorts/tracksuit pants.

More details:

In a world where everyone is asking what you want to be, why not select a subject that helps you find out who you are?

What is Dramatic Arts?

Dramatic Arts is the study of the representation of human experience in dramatic form for an audience. This subject aims to integrate practical experiences and with the study of dramatic theory. It aims to promote and develop creativity as a rich, diverse and productive resource through dramatic communication, interaction and representation. Learners explore the role of drama in various contexts, with a focus on the role of the dramatic arts in South Africa. Dramatic Arts offers learners the ability to learn how to express themselves and communicate through various skills in improvisation, vocal and physical communication, interpretation and expressiveness, the creation and presentation of performances, and the analysis and interpretation of performance texts in context. The weighting of both the theory and practical assessment components of the subject are equal.

Learners will not only be exposed to dramatic performance via texts studied in class, but also through a range of practical dramatic experiences. We aim to offer the learners exposure to live performances wherever possible, whether by professionals, community practitioners or other learners. Learners who select Dramatic Arts as a subject will be expected to actively participate in the extra-curricular dramatic society’s annual productions, drama festivals and house plays.

Dramatic Arts is a powerful tool for developing skills of cooperation and collaboration. Its elements and forms of expression are an inherent part of South African culture, and thus the subject helps to preserve and promote our national heritage. Dramatic Arts prepares learners for entry into further studies for a possible career in the drama (or related arts) fields such as; directing, design, acting, stage managing and many more. This subject also equips learners with crucial life skills such as confidence, self-esteem, creativity, communication skills, empathy, self-discipline, critical and creative thinking, leadership and collaborative teamwork which will benefit the individual in any field or future interest.

Examinable Content Topics Grade 10:

Content/concepts/skills: Theory and practical

• Topic 1: Introduction to Dramatic Arts

• Topic 2: South African theatre: cultural performance forms OR oral tradition

• Topic 3: Play Text 1: South African theatre

• Topic 4: Scene study (group)

• Topic 5: Origins of theatre and Greek theatre

• Topic 6: Play Text 2: Greek theatre

• Topic 7: Non-verbal communication (individual or group)

• Topic 8: Text interpretation (individual)

• Topic 9: Choice of medieval/commedia dell’arte/Indian theatre

• Topic 10: Play Text 3: Choice of medieval/commedia dell’arte/Indian/South African theatre

• Topic 11: South African theatre: Introduction to workshopped theatre

• Topic 12: Staging and/or film conventions

• Topic 13: Group performance

Assessment:

In Grade 10, six formal assessment tasks must be completed during the school year. These six formal assessment tasks make up 25% of the total mark for Dramatic Arts. The end-of-year examination includes two parts which make up the remaining 75%. The seven formal assessment tasks consist of the following:

Term 1: Task 1: * Performance Assessment Task 1 (50 marks)

Task 2: Controlled Test 50 marks

Term 2: Task 3: * Performance Assessment Task 2 (50 marks)

Task 4: Mid-year examination:

• Written examination 100 marks

• Performance 100 marks

Term 3: Task 5: * Performance Assessment Task 3 (50 marks)

Task 6: Controlled Test 50 marks

Term 4: Task 7: End-of-year exam:

• Written examination 150 marks

• Performance 150 marks

* A Performance Assessment Task or PAT contains a theoretical written component (an essay, research project and practice-as-research journal) and practical component (a group or individual performance).

Set works and Resources:

For Dramatic Arts in Grade 10 three plays, including one South African play, are to be studied. The dramatic movements (such as Greek Theatre) will be studied from a CAPS approved textbook. The list of required books for Dramatic Arts are:

Via Afrika Dramatic Arts Grade 10 Learner's Book: ISBN: 9781415423073

The Three Theban Plays (Penguin): ISBN: 9781439513736

The Township Plays (Oxford University Press): ISBN: 9780192829252

An A4 192pg Quire Feint & Margin Workbook