Faculty Information

Drama

Drama - Course Information

All classes in Drama offer students the opportunity to develop a variety of performance and production skills. Students demonstrate their knowledge of drama/theatre forms through practical presentations. Students improvise and devise their own material as well as working with scripted texts. They study the technical aspects of theatre such as lighting, set design, properties, sound, make-up and costume. Students also have the opportunity to take part in a number of extra curricular drama groups.

Year 9:

Identifying Drama techniques - improvisation

Theatre Form – Greek Theatre

Devised Drama – Fairy Tales

Technical Unit - Production

Portfolio

Year 10 Core - half year course

Developing Drama techniques - improvisation

Theatre History – presentation using ICT

Devised Drama – Myths of the Pacific

Technical Unit - Production

Portfolio

Year 10 Option - full year course

Developing Drama techniques – improvisation

Theatre History – presentation using ICT

Theatre Form – Commedia del’ Arte

Technical Unit – Presentation

Creating a Character – Shakespearean Drama

Devised Drama – Myths of the Pacific

Portfolio

Year 11 - NCEA Level 1

1.1 Use drama techniques – “Explore NZ Drama”

1.2 Use elements and conventions to devise, structure and performance a drama – “Poetic Images”

1.3 Demonstrate knowledge of a theatre form in performance – Melodrama, “Over the Top”

1.4 Perform an acting role - scripted performance/production “Creating a Character”

1.5 Perform a production role – “Design it”

1.6 Understand and reflect on drama processes and performance - external written exam

Year 12 - NCEA Level 2

2.1 Apply Drama Techniques – Improvisation, “Playing up”

2.2 Apply Drama Techniques - Scripted performance, “What are you saying?”

2.3 Use Elements and Conventions - structure, record and perform a devised drama – “Inside Out”

2.4 Apply knowledge of a drama/theatre form or period in performance/presentation – “The Wooden O”

2.5 Perform a substantial acting, technical or production role – “Treading the Boards” or “High Tech”

2.6 Apply knowledge of, respond to and make judgements about drama processes and performance - external written exam

Year 13 - NCEA Level 3

3.2 Interpret scripted text and Integrate drama techniques - study and performance of New Zealand plays – “Quick Change”

3.3 Use elements and conventions to devise, script and perform individual drama – “Double Exposure”

3.4 Investigate and analyse texts characteristic of a drama theatre form or period (externally assessed) NZ Literature

3.5 Research, prepare and perform a performance or technical/production role in a significant production – “To Russia with Love”

3.6 Analyse, apply and reflect critically on drama processes and performances in a new context - external written exam

Drama - Assessment

Junior courses
· All junior units are assessed using Achievement Based Assessment methods or other similar criteria.
· Students work predominantly in groups but all assessment work is individually assessed.
· The scripted performance and production work in year 10 classes is assessed using NCEA Level 1 criteria based on Achievement Standard 1.4 - Perform an Acting Role.

Senior Courses
· All senior courses are assessed using NCEA Achievement Standard criteria.
· 24 credits are offered at each level.
· In Levels 1 and 2 five standards are internally assessed for a total of 19 credits. A/S 1.6 and A/S 2.6, written exams worth 5 credits each, are externally assessed.
· In Level 3 four standards are internally assessed for a total of 16 credits. A/S 3.4 and A/S 3.6 are externally assessed.
· As part of the assessment requirements for Levels 2 and 3 all students are required to participate in the class productions which will be performed for 3 night seasons.

Drama - Events/Links

All classes will watch theatre performances in the course of the school year. Some performances will take place in school with visiting companies, while at other times trips will be arranged for classes to watch outside performances.

Senior classes will watch at least 2 performances as part of their curriculum work.

Year 12 and 13 drama classes perform their own class productions with three night seasons.
Students also have the opportunity to organise and perform in groups taking part in the Stage Challenge competition, the Shiela Wynn Shakespeare festival and the Theatresports competition.