VCE DRAMA Subject Selection – Units 1&2

Course Description The study of drama focuses on the creation and performance of characters, narratives and stories. Students draw on a range of content and use role and expressive skills to create, embody and present dramatic works. They analyse the development of their performances and explore the actor-audience relationship. The focus of VCE Drama is to develop you as an actor by exploring other performers, and performance styles, identifying your strengths and building your skills as a or member of an ensemble. Previous study of Year 10 Drama is advisable but not a prerequisite. There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3. Students must undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4.

Unit 1: Dramatic storytelling Course Description Unit 1: Dramatic storytelling This unit focuses on creating, presenting and analysing a devised performance that includes real or imagined characters, based on personal, cultural and/or community experiences and stories. It also involves analysis of a student’s own performance work and analysis of a performance by professional and other drama practitioners. Area of Study 1: Creating a devised performance Area of Study 2: Performing a devised performance Area of Study 3: Analysing a devised performance Area of Study 4: Analysing a dramatic performance

Unit 2: Creating Australian drama Course Description Unit 2: Creating Australian drama This unit focuses on the use and documentation of the processes involved in constructing a devised solo or ensemble performance. Students create, present and analyse a performance based on a person, an event, an issue, a place, an art work, a text and/or an icon from a contemporary or historical Australian context. Unit 2 Drama can be studied as a stand-alone unit or follow on from unit 1. Area of Study 1: Using Australia as inspiration Area of Study 2: Presenting a devised performance Area of Study 3: Analysing a devised performance Area of Study 4: Analysing Australian drama performance

Why Study this? Work Tasks UNITS 1 & 2 Assessment tasks UNITS 1 & 2 Ensemble performance (Unit 1) Mini Solo Performance (Unit 2) Folio (documentation of performance making process) Oral/visual/multimedia presentations Responses to structured questions Research report Participation in class acting workshops in acting techniques and naturalistic and non-naturalistic theatre styles. Satisfactory Completion Demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit

Why Study this? Assessment tasks UNIT 1 Outcome 1 On completion of this unit the student should be able to use play-making techniques to devise solo and/or ensemble drama work/s based on experiences and/or stories, as well as describe the dramatic processes used to shape and develop this performance work/s. Outcome 2 On completion of this unit the student should be able to use expressive skills, theatrical conventions and stagecraft to perform stories and characters to an audience. Outcome 3 On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the development and performance of work created and presented in Outcomes 1 and 2. Outcome 4 On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify and evaluate use of performance styles, and describe use of theatrical conventions, stagecraft and dramatic elements, as well as analyse the portrayal of stories and characters in a drama performance.

Why Study this? Assessment tasks UNIT 2 Outcome 1 On completion of this unit the student should be able to use a range of stimulus material to create a solo or ensemble performance work as well as document and record the play-making techniques used to shape and develop this performance work. Outcome 2 On completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate the effective use and manipulation of dramatic elements, theatrical conventions and stagecraft in the presentation of a performance work to an audience. Outcome 3 On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and evaluate the creation, development and performance of characters, as well as the use and manipulation of theatrical conventions, stagecraft and dramatic elements as applied to the performance style/s of the student’s own performance work. Outcome 4 On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify use of theatrical conventions, describe performance style/s and analyse and evaluate how dramatic elements have been used in a drama performance.

Subject pathway…. Unit 1 & 2 Drama prepares you for VCE Drama and/or Theatre Studies VCE Drama develops your ability to present to an audience in a convincing and confident manner. This is relevant to many career paths where communication and interpersonal skills are valued.

Subject pathway….

Extra activities/costs? There may be opportunity to travel to Melbourne to watch a professional performance of a play from the VCE Playlist. There will be no extra cost for this excursion. There may also be opportunities to attend external or internal workshops with visiting professional performers and theatre professionals.

More information…. Eliza Tarpey etarpey@nagle.vic.edu.au