The Arts

Drama across the years

Year 8 Drama

Year 8 Drama is designed to offer a fun-filled term, where the basics of performance technique are explored. The term usually culminates with a short student devised performance, which also incorporates the use of simple multi-media, lighting and costume. The aim of Year 8 Drama is to develop confident drama students, who become strong improvisers, and are capable of working successfully in groups. During the term, the emphasis is on developing an awareness of how to use various theatre spaces and a basic approach to simple text work. Comedy is also a focus in year eight.

Year 9 Drama

Year 9 Drama is a semester course and is divided into two distinct terms. Term one develops the comedy elements explored during Year 8, and introduces the basics of Slap-stick, Parody and Satire. Comedians are used as practical examples to guide students into creating their own comic works. Improvisation skills are further developed; assisting students to understand the way both physical and verbal comedy is created.

Term two introduces realist acting techniques in a variety of contexts. The Soap Opera genre is explored which further develops the short exploration of Melodrama introduced in Year 8. Students also learn and explore a number of different text types, including costume, lighting and multi-media in their final presentations. Year 9 introduces students to a detailed understanding of critical review writing for both the theatre and cinema.

Year 10 Drama

Year 10 Drama begins a more focussed exploration of various formal theatrical styles. Students will study a selection of theatrical and cinematic styles which may include any landmark style from 20th century theatre and cinema. Students learn and perform a variety of script excerpts, paying specific attention to set, costume and any other significant features of any particular period of theatre and cinema history. Working in groups, students have the opportunity to explore the various roles associated with play building such as, director, stage-manager, and designer and so on. Year 10 Drama includes a group production and the written component extends to include, alongside review writing, an introduction to the group production report.

Year 11 Drama

Year 11 drama is the beginning of the SACE certificate for Drama students. Generally students study a particular style in detail, performing, writing and creating within that style. Year 11 Drama is preparation for Year Twelve Drama and therefore many of the same style of assessment tasks are explored. Students participate in a formal group production, as either a performer, or in a back-stage role which could be anything from stage management to multi-media creation.

Year 11 also requires students to undertake an individual study into an area of cinema or theatre. The individual study is then performed as a 15 minute focussed presentation, which can include film, animation, spoken or recorded dialogue, recorded or live sound-scapes and so on. Written work in Year 11 includes, review writing, an Individual study report and a Group production report. Students also have the opportunity to study a film-maker or animator of their choice.

Year 12 Drama

While Year 12 Drama is a very demanding year of study, it is also a very rewarding one. Students are involved in a group production, which is also an exam. The play may be from any genre or style depending on the specific requirements of the particular group of students. Mount Gambier High has a very successful history with Year 12 productions and our students are rated regularly amongst the state's best.

Students can participate as Actors, in production roles, or as theatre animators and designers. After the completion of the Year Twelve production Year Twelve Drama divides into two streams; Drama Studies and Drama.

Drama Studies students are involved in writing a group production report, two reviews and then preparing for two exam essays. Here students have an opportunity to study a theatre innovator and also a film maker in depth. Drama Studies students then complete their course with a two hour exam. Drama Studies is HESS general course.

Drama students, after the group production, develop and create an individual study which culminates in a 15 minute focussed presentation to a moderator. Individual study topics range from film and documentary film-making to issue based theatre presentations, costume and set design and multi-media presentations. Drama is a HESS Restricted subject. Drama students also have a smaller written component which includes an Individual study report and two Reviews.

The group production for both drama studies and drama students requires out of school hours rehearsals and close to opening night weekend participation. Drama studies and Drama students will also be required to attend the theatre and cinema for review writing, and this time will also be out of school hours.

Courses offered

Level	Courses Offered	Duration/Value
Year 8	Drama	1 term
Year 9	Drama	Semester
Year 10	Drama	Semester
Stage 1	Drama 1	1 Unit
	Drama 2	1 Unit
Stage2	Drama	2 Units
	Drama Studies	2 Units