Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.

Artistic excellence makes the world sit up in wonder.

KAUPAPA: 

• Drama helps us understand diverse cultural perspectives and worldviews by examining the rich cultural histories and traditions, from Aotearoa and worldwide, that are expressed through performance.

• Drama is for everyone. We all have kōrero, pūrākau, and stories to share. Drama helps us to understand diverse cultural perspectives and worldviews and connect with our community. It allows us to recognise the uniqueness of our place in the Pacific, the identity of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the rich cultural histories and traditions from all over the world that are expressed through performance.

• Ākonga will understand that the function of drama is to heal, educate, entertain, or transform society. They discover how theatre can either challenge the status quo or reinforce it, gaining an awareness of how impactful the medium can be. Drama provides opportunities for ākonga to express their identities and heritages, and explore the heritages of others, creating empathy and understanding for the experiences and whakapapa of people from diverse backgrounds.

• Through the relationships creators and performers make with audiences, Drama exists as a powerful medium to foster hauora – nurturing and maintaining both individual and community wellbeing in its ability to empower and inspire others. Ākonga engage with the ways in which Drama can uplift and sustain the mana of communities, groups, and individuals.

• Ākonga explore and manipulate ideas and take creative risks. They share, rework, construct, and deconstruct work that is dynamic and evolving. The progression of ākonga in Drama is demonstrated through their increasing sophistication in storytelling, independence, and communicating their creative vision, as well as increasing comprehension and deeper understanding of the creative vision of others.

YEAR 12 PREREQUISITES:    

• Year 11 Drama, or at the discretion of the HOD

YEAR 13 PREREQUISITES:    

• Year 11 and 12 Drama, or at the discretion of the HOD

YEAR 12 COURSE CONTENT:

• Students will learn through practical embodiment of roles and situations using drama techniques. They will explore the purpose of drama and theatre, including the expression of culture, in their own and others’ communities. Through exploring the stories of diverse characters and situations, ākonga have the opportunity to see themselves in the roles they inhabit.

• Students will explore the lives and worlds of others through performing in and watching live or recorded performances.

• Students will collaborate and embody the creative process through devising. They will investigate, explore, and practise different ways of creating and structuring drama, as well as refining and crafting the tools of the actor. 

• Through exploring drama genres, students will explore how the stories we tell and the way we tell them shape our understanding of ourselves, our world, and our place in it. They will explore and respond to stories as a means of understanding other people and other worldviews, and they will experiment with storytelling as a means of self-expression.

YEAR 13 COURSE CONTENT:

• Students will learn through practical embodiment of roles and situations using drama techniques. They will explore the purpose of drama and theatre, including the expression of culture, in their own and others’ communities. Through exploring the stories of diverse characters and situations, ākonga have the opportunity to see themselves in the roles they inhabit.

• Students will explore the lives and worlds of others through performing in and watching live or recorded performances. 

• Students will collaborate and embody the creative process through devising. They will investigate, explore, and practise different ways of creating and structuring drama, as well as refining and crafting the tools of the actor. 

• Through a major performance to an audience, students will explore how the stories we tell and the way we tell them shape our understanding of ourselves, our world, and our place in it. They will explore and respond to stories as a means of understanding other people and other worldviews, and they will experiment with storytelling as a means of self-expression.

YEAR 12 & 13 COSTS:

• As part of the drama course, it is expected that ākonga view several live professional performances throughout the year, either in person or online. All costs are charged to student accounts. Some trips, like the annual Christchurch Court Theatre one, are optional.

FUTURE STUDIES / CAREER OPTIONS:
Studying Drama opens numerous pathways within the creative industries, particularly within theatre, film, and television. Careers include but are not limited to:

• performer

• director

• writer

• designer

• producer

• stage manager

Beyond school, ākonga in Drama will have gained many transferrable skills and life experiences that help them greatly, both in tertiary education and the world of work. This includes:

• creativity

• innovation

• public speaking and performance skills

• idea generation and content creation

• self-reflection and analysis

• critical thinking

• lateral thinking

• communication

• collaboration and working with others

• relational empathy

• negotiation

• punctuality and time management

• reliability

• confidence and assertiveness

• self-esteem and self-efficacy

• delivering products to a deadline

• identifying target audiences and promoting work to them

• supporting the ideas of others and providing constructive feedback

• technical production skills, such as lighting, sound, and costume and prop design.

Drama is an excellent ‘companion’ course for industries that involve people e.g. law, education, politics, health, hospitality, sports, media, business, tourism, management and more.

Students will also understand the significance of whakapapa as they engage in the community, recognising and embracing diversity of cultures and perspectives. Whakawhanaungatanga and skills in relationship building will also be developed through their experience in forming, nurturing, and maintaining collaborative and reciprocal relationships (with performers, audiences, writers, designers, and directors).