Hard work and commitment to the process and the group will bring success and great enjoyment in your own development as a confident and competent Drama student.

This course aims to:

Develop your performance skills and build your confidence as a performer

Explore the world of drama, theatre and performance, and extend your understanding of the role of drama and theatre in society

Develop your ability to express your ideas and to create through drama

Develop your ability to accept, build upon and be sensitive to the contributions of others in group situations

Develop your drama literacy

Give you the opportunity to watch, appreciate and evaluate a variety of performance

We will work on a broad theme this year:

Our identity as New Zealanders and how drama and theatre reflects and/or challenges this.

We will read some NZ plays and short stories and use these to create new work, develop performance skills and examine the nature of NZ drama.

The year will start with ‘The Pohutukawa Tree’. We will read and study this important NZ play and then do a series of activities based on the play – these will contribute to your first two assessments, as well as forming the basis for a resource trial that we are involved in with the Ministry of Education. You will receive more information about this in class.

Course Outline

Time

Topic

Brief description

Assessment

Term 1

Weeks

1-3

The Pohutukawa Tree

Read the play as an example of NZ drama. Explore the characters, situation, themes and ideas presented.

Weeks

4-9

The Pohutukawa Tree

Examine the play as an example of NZ drama. Complete research on the world of the play and the characters.

Explore how this play relates to our world today.

Explore ideas for a production of this play.

Week 9

AS90008v3 Demonstrate knowledge of a drama/theatre form through a practical presentation.

3 credits

In a small group, make a presentation based on your research into the play. This includes: monologues in role, hotseating, a short scene and a short presentation on your proposals for a production of the play.

Term 2

Weeks

1-6

The Pohutukawa Tree:

Explore and develop skills in the use of voice, body, movement and space to communicate dramatic meaning.

Create the physical and vocal characteristics of a character from The Pohutukawa Tree. Use drama techniques to communicate this character and the situation in a performance of a short scene.

Term 2 Week 2

AS90006v3 Demonstrate appropriate drama techniques

4 credits

Use voice, body, movement and space to communicate the characters and situation in a scene from The Pohutukawa Tree

Term 2

Weeks

7-11

Term 3

Weeks

1-5

Class Production

Interpret script for stage. Develop rehearsal, production/technical and performance skills in the preparation and performance of a scripted play for an invited audience.

Week 10

AS90009 Perform an acting role.

4 credits

Perform an acting role in a class production for an audience in two performances.

AS 90010v3 Perform a technical or production role. 4 credits

Take responsibility for costumes, set, props, lighting and/or sound for a class production for an audience in two performances.

Term 3

Weeks

6-10

Term 4

Weeks

2-3

It used to be green once

Explore and develop skills in the use of elements and conventions to develop dramatic meaning and to create own plays. Develop performance skills.

Term 4 Week 3

AS90007v3 Use elements and conventions to devise, structure and perform a drama. 4 credits

Perform a 10 minute group-devised drama using a range of drama elements and conventions.

Record the process of devising your drama and the elements and conventions used.

Term 4

Weeks

1 and 4

External Exam preparation

External exam period

AS90011 Understand and reflect on drama processes and performance, applied to new context(s). 5 credits

Resubmission and Attendance

There is no real opportunity for resubmission as the programme is very full. It is important that you attend all assessments so that you do not let down the group. Assessments will not be rescheduled unless there is a very good reason and the rescheduling does not jeopardize the work of any of the group, nor stretch the patience of the teacher!

Live Theatre Performance

As a part of this course you are required to attend at least two live theatre performances as a member of the audience. The external exam requires that each student is able to discuss at least one performance they have attended. The Drama Department will provide you with several opportunities to view live shows through the year. It is your responsibility to meet the cost of the ticket and the transport. It is important for you to attend other shows on your own as well.

Stationery and Uniform

You will need a series of exercise books or art books for your written work – one for each unit of work. We will discuss the written/visual requirements for each unit.

For all practical drama classes, suitable clothing must be worn. This needs to give you freedom of movement and can include PE uniform, shorts, track pants. For all practical assessments you will need to wear plain black/white/grey clothes suitable for the particular assessment (unless you are in full costume). Organise this well in advance.

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