Term Four - 2025 / Term One HSC

Australian Drama & Theatre (Core Study)

Topic 2 Contemporary Australian Theatre Practices

 Harrison J (2021) The Visitors, Currency Press, Sydney.

Blake Y (2021) Fangirls, Currency Press, Sydney.

In Australian Drama and Theatre and Studies in Drama and Theatre students learn through theoretical study about the themes and issues, the historical, social, cultural and political contexts of particular forms, styles, movements or traditions of theatre, or the work of a specific artist, practitioner, group or company. They learn about dramatic and theatrical structures, forms, styles and conventions and gain practical experience of them through workshops culminating in presentations and performances using relevant acting techniques, characterisation, performance styles and spaces. Students learn to analyse, interpret and synthesise their research through discussion and debate, and through structuring their opinions in written responses. In Australian Drama and Theatre students learn about aspects of drama and theatre in Australian societies and cultures, past and present, through study of ONE of two topics. While the topics differ in the period to which they refer, the perspectives through which they are to be approached are similar.

Rubric - Australian Drama and Theatre (Core Study)

These topics explore, theoretically and experientially, the traditional and contemporary practices of Australian drama and theatre and the various ways in which artistic, cultural, social, political and personal issues and concerns are reflected in different contexts. Students investigate how different Australian practitioners use dramatic forms, performance styles, techniques and conventions to convey ideas and influence the ways in which audiences understand and respond to ideas and images presented in the theatre.

The Individual Project, students learn how to initiate and present a project in an area of interest developed during study in the Preliminary course. They use the knowledge, skills and experiences acquired in the Preliminary course to select an area in which to specialise. Students then learn how to develop concepts and use innovation. They learn how to describe their intentions and the approach they intend to take in realising the project. They learn how to use skills appropriate to the area in which they are working, whether it is based on critical reviews of performances, dramaturgy, direction, design, performance, scriptwriting or drama on video. They learn how to manipulate theatrical elements and conventions to achieve their aims. In preparing their Individual Project, students learn how to plan, evaluate and structure their work into a refined presentation that meets the criteria of each project. Students chart the process of their project in a logbook. They learn how to reflect upon, record, interpret and synthesise research, edit preliminary sketches or drafts, adapt work to specifications of time or length, and to submit work in a prescribed form. The Individual Project will take one of the following forms: • Critical Analysis • Design • Performance • Scriptwriting  

Term One - 2025 / Term Two HSC

Studies in Drama & Theatre

Topic 4 Approaches to Acting

Lecoq, Jacques, et al. The Moving Body: Teaching Creative Theatre. Revised ed, London: Bloomsbury, 2009

Pitches, Jonathan. Vsevolod Meyerhold. London: Routledge, 2003

This topic explores approaches to actor training in the 20th century and its realisation in theatre production or other forms of drama performance. The study involves the theoretical and experiential exploration of the philosophical and practical approaches to two practitioners’ works and the manifestation of their techniques, process and specific exercises, for performance. Students must consider the aesthetics and expression of the actor’s presence and its relationship to audience engagement. Specific examples from the practitioners’ theatre works, contemporary theatre practice and the student’s own experiential learning should be used to explore the topic.

The Individual Project continued - In preparing their Individual Project, students learn how to plan, evaluate and structure their work into a refined presentation that meets the criteria of each project. Students chart the process of their project in a logbook. They learn how to reflect upon, record, interpret and synthesise research, edit preliminary sketches or drafts, adapt work to specifications of time or length, and to submit work in a prescribed form. The Individual Project will take one of the following forms:
• Critical Analysis
• Design
• Performance
• Scriptwriting
• Video Drama.

Students have now had ten weeks to plan and begin development of their Individual Project. Upon their return to school this term, their plans should be well established, with clear direction and purpose. Term 2 marks a critical phase in their project development. This term focuses on how students are progressing with the realisation of their concepts, where they will receive ongoing assessment and detailed feedback. This process is essential in refining their work and ensuring their final submission aligns with the required standards and outcomes of the HSC Drama course.

Term Two - 2025 / Term 3 HSC

The Individual Project continued - Students have now had twenty weeks of project development. During this time, they have been assessed on their progress and provided with constructive feedback to support continued growth and improvement. Based on this feedback, students now have the opportunity to make amendments to their work or, where necessary, reconsider or refine their project choice. Term 3 becomes a critical term for reflection, refinement and fine planning. By the end of this term, projects should be nearing completion, allowing students sufficient time to make minor adjustments and ensure their work is ready for submission to NESA in alignment with HSC requirements.

The Individual Project Logbook should also reflect approximately twenty weeks of planning and development. It should demonstrate a clear progression of the student’s work, showcasing various planning ideas, conceptual changes, responses to feedback, and creative development. The logbook is expected to be rich in content—featuring detailed research, annotated images, script drafts, inspirations, influences, and reflective entries. It should also include visual material such as pictures, sketches, and design elements where relevant. Overall, the logbook must capture the evolution of the student’s project from initial concept through to the final product, providing clear evidence of engagement, experimentation, and refinement.

The Group Performance will be a piece of original theatre which: 

is a complete theatrical statement demonstrating a sense of dramatic shape and structure. Provides an opportunity for each student to demonstrate his or her performance skills. Is performed by no fewer than three and no more than six students and is 8–12 minutes in duration. Students will have the opportunity to choose a topic as a stimulus to create the group performance.

Students will be assessed under the HSC marking criteria

Criterion 1: Performance skills appropriate to the style or form

Criterion 2: Sustaining and developing role/character

Criterion 3: Structure and dramatic coherence

The logbook should provide: • a record of initial ideas shared • a record of research and reading undertaken and how this contributed to the process • an ongoing description and analysis of problems encountered and strategies used in finding solutions • a record of constructive advice and comments received from audiences such as fellow students, parents and friends, teacher and assessors of works-in-progress • comments on aspects of staging, lighting and design, where applicable • a record of the final product.

Term Three - 2025 / Term Four HSC

Individual Project - Students will submit a completed project that adheres to the Drama HSC Individual Projects requirements. Students will have prepared an Individual Project in one of the following forms: • Critical Analysis • Design • Performance • Scriptwriting • Video Drama. Individual Projects will be submitted for HSC Trials (Assessment Task 4A) where students projects will be assessed and feedback provided in preparation for the HSC Practical Examination. Students will submit a logbook supported by a 300 word rationale clearly explaining the intention of the project and the approach that has been taken. 

Group Performance - Students will submit a completed Group Performance that adheres to the Drama HSC Group Performance requirements. Students will have prepared a Group Performance inspired by the Stage 6 2019 -2026 Topic list.  Group Performances will be submitted for HSC Showcase (Assessment Task 4B) where students will be assessed individually and feedback provided in preparation for the HSC Practical Examination. Students will submit a collaborated group logbook supported with a 300 word rationale clearly explaining the intention of the Group Performance and the approach that has been taken. Students will also need to submit a supportive 200 word statement explaining their personal contribution to the Group Performance.

The logbook should provide:

• a record of initial ideas shared

• a record of research and reading undertaken and how this contributed to the process

• an ongoing description and analysis of problems encountered and strategies used in finding solutions

• a record of constructive advice and comments received from audiences such as fellow students, parents and friends, teacher and assessors of works-in-progress

• comments on aspects of staging, lighting and design, where applicable

• a record of the final product.

Written Examination (Trial HSC - Assessment Task 4C)

Students will complete two essays within the examination period. The essays will be based on the following topics and texts studied in class

Texts for Study

· Approaches to Acting - Vsevolod Meyerhold and Jacques Lecoq

· Australian Drama - Norm and Ahmed by Alex Buzo, The Removalist by David Williamson

Please see HSC Trial Examination Schedule for examination information.