Year 13 Drama

Course Description: The Level 3 course requires students to research, analyse, and critically evaluate how drama, including New Zealand Drama, interprets, records, or challenges social and cultural discourse.  Students integrate elements, techniques, conventions, and technologies in dramatic forms such as Commedia Dell’arte, Epic Theatre, Theatre of the Absurd and Contemporary New Zealand Theatre (Forum Theatre).  Students develop more depth and decision making skills in the creation of their work. A range of performance opportunities exist - duologues, small groups and a major performance. 

 Topics include: 

• Perform a substantial  acting role in a significant production - research (develop understanding of the style/ influences, development, playwright) determine production concept (collaborate with director). Students participate in the rehearsal process with commitment and enthusiasm…audition, characterisation development, improvisation, script annotation, blocking, take responsibility for a minor production role (FOH, lighting, sound), rehearse, reflect. (5 credits). 
• Interpret scripted text to integrate drama techniques - Revise acting techniques (voice, body/ movement, use of space) with open scripts, research/ play reading (understanding context), interpretation of script recorded in portfolio, script annotation, diagrams, note-taking, development of role describing how acting techniques are applied and integrated to communicate meaning.  Utilise either New Zealand drama works or Shakespeare’s text in a duologue performance at the Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. (4 credits). 
• Select and use complex performance skills associated with a drama/theatre form - identify and select the key features of Epic Theatre: history, politics, staging, actors, acting styles, audiences, worldview, language, costume, theatres, influences, convention and production technologies. Perform a scene from Bertolt Brecht’s plays in a small group (4 credits). 
• Devise and perform a drama - Devise a script based on a character, situation or issue from an existing play. Explore and apply Epic Theatre conventions or Theatre of the Absurd (social/political theatre). Develop further understanding of the character through creating and performing new material which includes key lines from the play. Investigate the devising process, determine how elements and conventions contribute to communication meaning. Rehearse to produce a performance that is convincing, engaging, fresh, powerful and tightly structured to realise the intention of the script (4 credits).

 Assessment: The bulk of the course is internally assessed with the option of participating in an external written exam.  Four internally assessed standards (17 credits) and one external (optional) standard (4 credits).

Entry Requirements: 12 credits from Level 1 Drama. Or on application to HOD who will look at reliability, attendance and group skills. 

 Students are also encouraged to regularly attend live theatre performances. Optional attendance is offered throughout the course and students/parents notified as show information is available. There is an expectation that families will pay for students to attend extra-curricular shows.