Theatre Studies

Learning Area Leader: Mr Parton

Career Paths / Future Directions

Designer, Director, Actor, Theatre Producer, Lighting Designer and Technician, Sound Design, Costume Design, Teacher, Social Science, Literature, Strong Leadership, Extraordinary team-work and problem solving skills

Unit 1 – Pre-Modern Theatre Styles and Conventions (Code: TSO11)

Description

This unit focuses on the application of acting, direction and design in relation to theatre styles from the pre-modern era, that is, works prior to the 1920s. Students creatively and imaginatively work in production roles with scripts from the pre-modern era of theatre, focusing on at least three distinct theatre styles and their conventions. They study

innovations in theatre production in the pre-modern era and apply this knowledge to their own works. Students develop knowledge and skills about theatre production processes including dramaturgy, planning, development and performance to an audience and apply this to their work.

Theatre styles from the pre-modern era of theatre include Ancient Greek, Ancient Roman, Liturgical drama such as morality/miracle/mystery plays, Commedia dell’Arte, Elizabethan, Restoration comedies and dramas, Neo-classical, Naturalism/ Realism, Beijing Opera, Noh, Bunraku and Kabuki and other traditional indigenous theatre forms.

Production Roles

A ‘Production Role’ is the term used to describe a specific role someone might undertake in the Production Process. For the purposes of this study they are: Acting, Direction & Design. ‘Design’ includes: Set, Lighting, Sound, Costume, Props and Make-up.

Outcomes

• To identify and describe the distinguishing features of scripts from the pre-modern era.

• Application of Production Roles to creatively and imaginatively interpret scripts from the pre-modern era.

• Analysing a professional performance of a script.

Assessment

• Pre-modern Theatre Interactive Presentation

• Interpretation and Presentation of scripts from the Pre-Modern Era

• Written Analysis of a professional play in performance

Unit 2 – Modern Theatre Styles and Conventions

Description

This unit focuses on the application of acting, direction and design in relation to theatre styles from the modern era, that is, the 1920s to the present. Students creatively and imaginatively work in production roles with scripts from the modern era of theatre, focusing on at least three distinct theatre styles. They study innovations in theatre production in the modern era and apply this knowledge to their own works. Students develop knowledge and skills about theatre production processes including dramaturgy, planning, development and performance to an audience and apply this to their work. They study safe and ethical working practices in theatre production and develop skills of performance analysis, which they apply to the analysis of a play in performance.

Theatre styles from the modern era of theatre include Epic theatre, Constructivist theatre, Theatre of the Absurd, Political theatre, Feminist theatre, Expressionism, Eclectic theatre, Experimental theatre, Musical theatre, Physical theatre, Verbatim theatre, Theatre-in-education, and Immersive/Interactive theatre.

Outcomes

• To identify and describe the distinguishing features of scripts from the modern era.

• Application of Production Roles to creatively and imaginatively interpret scripts from the pre-modern era.

• Analysing a professional performance of a script.

Assessment

• Modern Theatre Interactive Presentation

• Interpretation and Presentation of scripts from the Modern Era

• Written Analysis of a professional play in performance

Unit 3 – Producing Theatre

Description

In this unit students develop an interpretation of a script through the three stages of the theatre production process: planning, development and presentation. Students specialise in two production roles, working collaboratively, creatively and imaginatively to realise the production of a script. They use knowledge developed during this process to analyse and evaluate the ways work in production roles can be used to interpret script excerpts previously unstudied. Students develop knowledge and apply elements of theatre composition, and safe and ethical working practices in the theatre.

Students attend a performance selected from the prescribed VCE Theatre Studies Unit 3 Playlist and analyse and evaluate the interpretation of the script in the performance. The Playlist is published annually on the VCAA website.

Outcomes

• Interpret a script across the stages of the production process through creative, imaginative and collaborative work undertaken in two production roles.

• Outline concepts and ideas for a creative interpretation of excerpts from a script and explain how these could be realised in a theatre production.

• Analyse and evaluate the creative and imaginative interpretation of a written script in production to an audience.

Assessment

TASK 1

• Ongoing contributions to the script, across three stages of the production process through collaborative work in two Production Roles (45)

AND

TASK 2

• Analysis and Evaluation of ongoing developmental contributions supported by relevant documentation (Oral Presentation)

• Written response outlining concepts and ideas for creative interpretation in the response to previously unseen stimulus and scripts

• Written analysis and evaluation of an interpretation of a written script in production to an audience.

Unit 4 – Performance Interpretation (Code: THEA44)

Description

In this unit students study a scene and an associated monologue. They initially develop an interpretation of the prescribed scene. This work includes exploring theatrical possibilities and using dramaturgy across the three stages of the production process. Students then develop a creative and imaginative interpretation of the monologue that is embedded in the specified scene. To realise their interpretation, they work in production roles as an actor and director, or as a designer.

Students’ work for Areas of Study 1 and 2 is supported through analysis of a performance they attend. The performance must be selected from the VCE Theatre Studies Unit 4 Playlist. The Playlist is published annually on the VCAA website. Students analyse acting, direction and design and the use of theatre technologies, as appropriate to the production.

In conducting their work in Areas of Study 1 and 2, students develop knowledge in and apply safe and ethical theatre practices.

Production Roles

In Unit 4, Area of Study 1 and 2, the production roles are: Acting and Direction- students must work in both roles

OR

Design – any two of lighting, make-up, costume, set, props, sound.

Outcomes

• Students describe and justify a creative and imaginative interpretation of a monologue and its prescribed scene.

• Interpret and present a monologue and orally justify and explain their interpretive decisions.

• Analyse and evaluate acting, direction and design in a production.

Assessment

Task 1

• A written report that describes and justifies dramaturgical decisions for a creative and imaginative interpretation of a monologue and it’s prescribed scene.

AND

Task 2

• An oral presentation about the possibilities, intentions and vision for an interpretation of a monologue and its prescribed scene.

• Written response to structured questions

Exams

• The Monologue Examination will contribute 25 per cent to the study score

• The Written Examination will contribute 30 per cent to the study score