Rationale

Theatre has been made and performed from the earliest times and is an integral part of all cultures. Theatre exists as entertainment, education, an agent for change, a representation of values and a window on society. VCE Theatre Studies develops, refines and enhances students’ analytical, evaluative and critical thinking, and their expression, and problem-solving and design skills. Through study and practice in theatrical analysis, play script interpretation and engagement in theatrical production processes, students develop their aesthetic sensitivity, interpretive skills, and communication, design, technological and management knowledge. The study of theatre, in all its various forms, is relevant to students who wish to pursue further studying theatrical production, theatre history, communication, writing and acting at tertiary level or through vocational educational training settings or to pursue industry or community related pathways.

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.

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