Drama

Course no: 11090 Year 11, 15090 Year 12

Course Description

Students in Drama study the practices of Making, Performing and Critically Studying. Students engage with these components through collaborative and individual experiences.

What Students Learn

Preliminary Course

Students engage with these components through collaborative and individual experiences.

Preliminary course content comprises an interaction between the components of Improvisation, Playbuilding and Acting, Elements of Production in Performance, and Theatrical Traditions and Performance Styles. Learning comes from practical experiences in each of these areas.

HSC Course

Australian Drama and Theatre, and Studies in Drama and Theatre involve the theoretical study through practical exploration of themes, issues, styles and movements of traditions of theatre, exploring relevant acting techniques, performance styles and spaces. Learning comes from practical experiences in each of these areas.

Group Performance

Three to six students create a piece of original theatre (8–12 minutes duration). It provides opportunity for each student to demonstrate his or her performance skills.

Individual Project

Students demonstrate their expertise in a particular area. They choose one project from:

Critical Analysis
Design
Performance
Script-writing
Video Drama.

Do I have to be good at acting to do Drama?

Not necessarily. However, you’re required to be willing and open to participating.

Do I have to do an Individual Performance for my major work?

No. You have several other options you can choose from for your Individual Project.

I didn't do Drama in Year 9 and 10. Can I catch up?

Absolutely! As much as it sounds/appears disadvantageous to have not done Stage 5 Drama, the first unit of study looks at the fundamentals of performance, and therefore, possibly puts you on par with those who did study the Stage 5 course.

What are the benefits of doing Drama?

Essential lifelong skills that are crucial in the workplace and beyond; self-confidence, public speaking skills, social skills, employability, collaborative skills, spontaneity and much more.

What percentage of written work is there in Drama?

The expectation is that you do about 60-70% practical and 30-40% theory. Drama is taught experientially. However, the HSC is divided into three main components: Individual Project=30%, Group performance=30%, Written=40%. This comes to 60% practical and 40% theory.

Do you get to go on excursions to see plays?

Yes. Attending theatrical performances is part of the learning process. In the past we’ve gone to the Capitol Theatre, Opera House, STC, Belvoir, NIDA etc.

Why do Drama students wear Drama Blacks?

For comfort. The physical nature of Drama requires you to wear non-restrictive clothing, particularly for the girls who would otherwise be wearing skirts. We do lots of FUN Drama games, exercises and workshops.

Who should I contact for further questions?

Please contact Mrs Kind (HSIE Staffroom) for more information.

Important NESA information

2 units for each of Year 11 and Year 12

Board Developed Course

Exclusions: Projects developed for assessment in one subject are not to be used either in full or in part for assessment in any other subject.

Year 11 Course

Students in Drama study the practices of Making, Performing and Critically Studying. Students engage with these components through collaborative and individual experiences.

Year 11 course content comprises an interaction between the components of Improvisation, Playbuilding and Acting, Elements of Production in Performance and Theatrical Traditions and Performance Styles. Learning comes from practical experiences in each of these areas.

While the course builds on the Stages 4 and 5 Drama course, it also caters for students with less experience in Drama.

Year 12 Course

Australian Drama and Theatre and Studies in Drama and Theatre involve the theoretical study through practical exploration of themes, issues, styles and movements of traditions of theatre, exploring relevant acting techniques, performance styles and spaces. Learning comes from practical experiences in each of these areas.

The Group Performance (3-6 students) involves creating a piece of original theatre (8–12 minutes duration). It provides opportunity for each student to demonstrate his or her performance skills.

For the Individual Project, students demonstrate their expertise in a particular area. They choose one project from Critical Analysis or Design or Performance or Script-writing or Video Drama.

Main Topics include:

Australian Drama and Theatre (Core content)
Studies in Drama and Theatre
Group Performance (Core content)
Individual Project

Particular Course Requirements

The Year 11 course informs learning in the Year 12 course. In the study of theoretical components, students engage in practical workshop activities and performances to assist their understanding, analysis and synthesis of material covered in areas of study.

In preparing for the group performance, the published Course Prescriptions include a topic list which is used as a starting point.

The Individual Project is negotiated between the student and the teacher at the beginning of the Year 12 course. Students choosing Individual Project Design or Critical Analysis must base their work on one of the texts listed in the published text list. This list changes every three years.

Students must ensure that they do not choose a text or topic they are studying in Drama in the written component or in any other Year 12 course when choosing Individual Projects.

Students selecting Drama are required to keep a log book of the development of each of the components Group Performance and Individual Project.

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