Drama T/A
Drama provides opportunities for personal growth and cultural understanding that is informed by contemporary and historical approaches.
Year 11 and 12 Drama students are offered a wide range of semester units to meet their individual needs and interests. Units in Design, Sound and Lighting and technological facets of theatre are offered according to student aptitudes and needs.
Partnerships with professional and community organization such as NIDA, Canberra Youth Theatre provide tutoring and work experience for Daramalan students to gain industry contact and experience. Students from Daramalan are encouraged to attend the NIDA Open Program held at Daramalan in July, October and January. Twelve students are awarded scholarships each year.
The Drama course can be taken as a Minor or Major and, with approval, some students may complete further units. The units studied are selected by Drama teachers from the following.
DRAMATIC EXPLORATIOnS (No pre-requisite)
Students will learn the dramatic techniques and basic skills involved in developing a performance.
This involves developing an awareness of characterisation, structure, conflict, dialogue and style in the composition of a piece of drama.
VOICE AND MOVEMENT (No pre-requisite)
Students will develop an awareness of how the voice and body work in a dramatic context. They will explore the use of voice and body as an instrument to create sound, shape, atmosphere and character so that they can communicate effectively with an audience through group and individual application.
ACTOR AND DIRECTOR (No pre-requisite)
Students will study the major theorists and their approaches to theatre development and presentation. They will then apply this theoretical base through practical approaches and performance.
THE DIRECTOR (Pre-requisite: Actor and Director)
Students with talent for direction and demonstrated commitment to the art form may be invited to do this unit. It involves directing a group into theatrical presentation.
MODERN AND CLASSICAL TRAGEDY (No pre-requisite)
Students will be introduced to the concept of classical tragedy and the changes in its structure from the Classical period to modern times. They will experience and develop techniques of performance through the creation of their own plays and interpreting scripted works.
ExPERIMEnTAL THEATRE (No pre-requisite though it is strongly advised that students have completed at least one of the above Units prior to enrolling)
Students will apply techniques and studied forms to create non-traditional presentations. They will demonstrate a practical understanding of the themes, ideas and concerns of a number of modern
dramatists and influential theatre practitioners and theorists.
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA (No prerequisite)
Students will learn the different approaches needed for specific work in front of the camera.
Basic editing and understanding of the medium will follow as a result of designing and adapting
performance specifically for film, television and video. Students will learn to utilise their own
limitations and natural predispositions as assets in working before the camera.
DRAMATURGY IN ACTION (Before attempting this unit, students must have at least a basic working knowledge of Stanislavski and/or derivative approaches).
The focus of this unit is on the actor’s ability to explore and utilize the concept of “different
dramaturgies” in approaching the development and presentation of theatre regardless of style or genre. This includes consideration of the personal, cultural and belief systems that underpin different ideologies for the actors, directors and audiences.
PERFORMING SHAKESPEARE (No prerequisite)
The focus of this unit is to develop and apply an understanding of Shakespeare’s plays, through
a variety of performance contexts and interpretations. While this will inevitably require an understanding of the language, the explicit focus of this unit is performance skills and contextualisation.
THEATRE PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE (No prerequisite)
The focus of this unit is to work collaboratively to develop a polished theatrical production. The unit explores and practically applies general principles of a production from all perspectives: Performing, directing, design and technical production. The unit provides opportunities to create work specifically designed for performance in front of a live audience. Focus is on team/ensemble work as part of a cohesive production team.
Students wishing to do more technical subjects will be offered choices of units including:
- Theatre Production And Performance
- Theatre Design units (by negotiation)
- Theatre Lighting And Sound
Students showing outstanding ability and commitment over three semesters may be invited to develop an Independent unit of work. These Units are part of the Type 2 Drama course currently being taught in Colleges across the ACT. The course is designed to meet the needs of students who:
- intend to enter tertiary institutions, wish to further their Drama studies (whether through acting, writing or technical careers) in stage, film, television or radio;
- express interest in Drama as a leisure interest; search the more philosophical questions on the nature of their existence and their relationship to society, history and culture.