Term 1

Dramatic Styles of Theatre (Ancient Greek & Commedia Dell'Arte)

This course immerses students in two foundational theatrical traditions: Ancient Greek Theatre and Commedia dell’Arte. Through practical workshops, theoretical study, and performance-based learning, students explore the origins, conventions, and performance techniques of each style. The unit culminates in an individual monologue performance, allowing students to apply stylistic conventions creatively and confidently. 

Students develop skills in voice, movement, characterisation, improvisation, mask work, and ensemble collaboration, while also building analytical and reflective abilities through written tasks and performance evaluations.

TERM 1 COURSE OVERVIEW: 

Dramatic Styles of Theatre (Ancient Greek & Commedia Dell'Arte)

Term 2

Physical Theatre & Theatrical Conventions

This course introduces Year 10 Drama students to the dynamic and expressive world of Physical Theatre and non‑naturalistic Theatrical Conventions. Students investigate how meaning can be communicated through the body, ensemble relationships, movement and symbolic stage elements rather than realistic dialogue alone. Through practical workshop experiences, students study a range of influential physical theatre practitioners—such as Trestle Theatre, Steven Berkoff, DV8 Physical Theatre, Complicite and Frantic Assembly—and apply their methods to devised performance work. 

Across 10 weeks, students develop a strong foundation in physical expression, storytelling without words, ensemble precision and creative collaboration. They experiment with theatrical conventions such as transformation, motif, gesture, levels, symbolism, chorus work and movement patterning. The unit culminates in a group devised physical theatre performance in Week 7, where students apply practitioner techniques and conventions to create an original and engaging work.

TERM 2 COURSE OVERVIEW: 

Physical Theatre & Theatrical Conventions

Term 3

Play Study - Elements of Production

Play Study (Elements of Production) is a ten‑week unit designed to develop students’ understanding of how theatrical meaning is created through performance, design, and direction. Centred around a class‑selected play, the unit introduces students to the essential components of theatrical production, including acting, staging, costume, set design, lighting, sound, and the creative decision‑making processes that shape a live performance.

Throughout the term, students engage in close reading, discussion, practical workshops, and creative exploration. They analyse the play’s themes, characters, context, and structure, exploring how production choices influence audience interpretation. Practical activities, such as blocking scenes, experimenting with lighting states, designing costumes or sets, and rehearsing extracts, allow students to develop both their theoretical understanding and their creative skills.

A major feature of the course is the Independent Production Project, where students select ONE area of focus:

• Costume Design

• Program & Poster Design

• Set Design

• Monologue Development

• Script Writing

• Theatre Review

This project encourages students to demonstrate depth of understanding by applying their knowledge of dramatic conventions, design principles, or written expression. The project is completed outside class time and submitted in Week 1 of Term 4. 

By the end of the unit, students will have:

• Gained a comprehensive understanding of how plays move from page to stage

• Explored multiple production elements and their creative possibilities

• Developed analytical and reflective skills

• Built confidence in performing, designing, or writing for the theatre

• Produced a polished, independent project demonstrating their artistic intentions

The unit concludes with an informal showcase in which students present scenes, designs, or concepts, celebrating their growth as emerging theatre practitioners.

TERM 3 COURSE OVERVIEW: 

Play Study - Elements of Production

Term 4

Exploring Musical Theatre

This ten‑week course introduces Year 10 Drama students to the vibrant world of Musical Theatre by examining how well‑known stories from animation, literature, film, and biography are re‑imagined for the stage. Using landmark productions such as Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, and MJ The Musical, students explore the artistic, technical, and creative processes involved in adapting narratives across mediums. 

Students begin by investigating how musical theatre combines acting, singing, dance, design, and staging to craft emotionally engaging live performances. They examine how stories evolve when they are adapted from screen or page to the stage, considering changes in structure, spectacle, character development, and creative interpretation. Examples include the transformation of Disney’s animated classic The Lion King into an award‑winning musical using groundbreaking puppetry and mask design, the adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel into Wicked, one of Broadway’s most successful re‑tellings that re‑imagines the world of Oz from a new perspective, and MJ The Musical, which brings Michael Jackson’s life, artistry, and iconic choreography into a live biographical performance format. 

As students progress through the unit, they examine key musical theatre conventions, including:

• Voice and movement techniques used in ensemble storytelling

• Choreographic and staging choices that translate cinematic or literary worlds into live theatre

• Design elements such as set, costume, lighting, puppetry, and multimedia projections

• Directorial vision and adaptation strategies, exploring how meaning shifts in translation from one medium to another

Students analyse representative scenes, musical moments, design images, and production features from all three case‑study musicals, comparing them to their original source materials. They experiment with practical rehearsal techniques, ensemble performance tasks, design sketching, script analysis, and staging exercises to deepen their appreciation of the creative decision‑making behind major productions. 

In the final weeks, students develop their own creative project, choosing between performance, design folio, critical review, or an adaptation concept, applying their understanding of musical theatre craft. A class showcase and reflection session encourages students to articulate how their knowledge of production processes, adaptation strategies, and musical theatre aesthetics has shaped their skills as emerging performers, designers, and theatre‑makers. 

By the end of the course, students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how stories are adapted for the musical stage

• Analyse narrative transformation using case studies (The Lion King, Wicked, MJ The Musical)

• Develop practical skills in voice, movement, staging, and design

• Reflect on their creative choices and artistic growth

• Produce a polished final project showcasing their learning

This unit celebrates creativity, imagination, and the power of theatrical storytelling, allowing students to explore how familiar worlds become extraordinary live experiences through the magic of musical theatre.

TERM 4 COURSE OVERVIEW: 

Exploring Musical Theatre