• NEW 2025 STUDY DESIGN

Calling all passionate storytellers and future theatre stars! Theatre Studies offers an exciting opportunity to delve into the captivating world of theatre, earn VCE Units 1 & 2, gain invaluable skills for your future, and potentially collaborate with the prestigious Performing Arts Academy!

What will you learn?

Unit 1: Pre-modern theatre

• Students explore play scripts from the pre-modern era of theatre, that is, works prior to the 1920s. Students study play scripts from at least three distinct theatrical periods. There is a focus on presentation and performance of a play script from the pre-modern era of theatre.

Unit 2: Modern theatre

• This area of study focuses on an exploration of play scripts from the modern era of theatre, that is, works from the 1920s to the present. Students study at least three distinct theatrical movements from this era and play scripts associated with each movement.

• Performance & Presentation: Put your knowledge into action! You'll have the opportunity to rehearse, perform, and analyze a play script from both pre-modern and modern eras. Develop your acting skills, stage presence, and confidence.

What will you do?

• Explore Theatre as a Whole: Go beyond performance and delve into all aspects of theatrical production. You'll learn about directing, lighting design, costume design, makeup, and other crucial roles that bring a play to life.

• Live Theatre Experience: Witness the magic firsthand! We'll attend at least two live professional theatre productions, potentially venturing to Melbourne or other major cities to experience a diverse range of performances.

• Collaborative Creation: Work alongside your classmates in a supportive environment. You'll have the opportunity to take on various theatrical roles, from director and actor to designer and technician.

• Performing Arts Academy Collaboration (Optional): In select years, you'll have the unique opportunity to collaborate with the esteemed Performing Arts Academy! This exciting partnership could involve co-creating a production or contributing your skills to their upcoming musical.

Why Choose Theatre Studies?

• VCE Units 1 & 2: This course equips you with the skills and knowledge to earn valuable VCE Units 1 & 2 in Theatre Studies, setting a strong foundation for further study in the field.

• Develop Essential Skills: Sharpen your critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills – all highly sought-after qualities in any career path.

• Boost Your Confidence: Conquer stage fright, refine your public speaking abilities, and develop the self-assurance to present yourself effectively in any situation.

• Explore Creativity & Imagination: Let your artistic side flourish! Theatre Studies provides a platform to express your creativity through performance, design, and theatrical interpretation.

• Career Exploration: Considering a future in theatre, film, or the performing arts? This program is a stepping stone to a variety of creative fields.

• Life-Long Learning: Regardless of your future path, Theatre Studies fosters valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and critical thinking that will benefit you throughout your life.

Units 3 &4 Completed in succession 

Unit 3: Play script interpretation

This area of study focuses on the development of skills that contribute to the interpretation of a play script. Students work collaboratively to contribute to the development of a production, how stagecraft can be applied across productions and then students analyse and evaluate an interpretation of a play script in a production from the prescribed VCE Theatre Studies Unit 3 Playlist.

Unit 4: Performance interpretation

This area of study focuses on the interpretation of a monologue from a play script selected from the monologue list in the Theatre Studies Stagecraft Examination Specifications. Students develop a theatrical treatment that outlines an interpretation of a monologue and a prescribed scene. In this area of study students’ focus on the analysis and evaluation of the acting and design in a production selected from the prescribed VCE Theatre Studies Unit 4 Playlist.

ASSESSMENT:

Unit 1 and 2:    

Individual school assessments and an end of year exam.

Unit 3 and 4:    

School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 - 30%

School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 – 15%

End-of-year Stagecraft examination – 25%

End-of-year written examination – 30%

Contact Time:

Lessons per week: 5 periods

Subject duration: Year Long

Head of Arts: Maree Brennan