Drama (ATAR)
Course Outline
This is the pathway for Year 11 students who are interested in Drama and are suited for an
academic WACE course. This is an examinable course and is a prerequisite for the Year 12
ATAR Drama course. While some students intend to make a career in drama and related
fields, many also participate in drama for enjoyment and satisfaction.
The Drama ATAR course focuses on aesthetic understanding and drama in practice as
students integrate their knowledge and skills. They use the elements and conventions
of drama to develop and present ideas and explore personal and cultural issues. They
engage in drama processes such as improvisation, play building, text interpretation,
playwriting and dramaturgy which allow them to create original drama and interpret a
range of texts written or devised by others. Their work in this course includes production
and design aspects involving sets, costumes, makeup, props, promotional materials and
sound and lighting. In this course, students engage in both Australian and world drama
practice, understanding the experience of other times, places and cultures in an accessible,
meaningful and enjoyable way. The Drama course covers the following roles: actor,
dramaturge, costume designer, lighting designer, scenographer and sound designer:
Oral and written communication
Students are expected to develop skills and abilities in multiple drama-based forms
of communication. Students are to address appropriate aspects of written and oral
communication through drama in performance and associated learning activities. This
includes short and extended answer forms, graphic organisers, diagrams and illustrations
with appropriate annotations and use of colour, interviews and other oral presentations,
structuring of ideas and responses.
• Unit 1 – Representational, realist drama
• Unit 2 – Presentational, non-realist drama
Students explore techniques of characterisation in Unit 1 Representational, realist drama,
through different approaches to group based text interpretation, particularly those based
on the work of Stanislavski and others. In this unit, students have the opportunity to
research and collaboratively workshop, interpret, perform and produce texts in forms and
styles related to representational, realistic drama that educate and present perspectives.
In Unit 2 Presentational, non-realist drama, students explore techniques of role and/or
character through different approaches to group based text interpretation, particularly
those based on the work of Brecht and others. In this unit, students have the opportunity
to research and collaboratively workshop, interpret and perform drama texts that
challenge and question perspectives.
Assessment Profile
Evidence of levels of achievement of the course outcomes are derived from school
based assessments. Assessments involve: Production (40%), Response (40%), Practical
Examination (10%) and Written Examination (10%).
Desirable Qualifications
• Interpersonal skills are highly desirable, an ability to participate effectively in
collaborative learning as a team member while respecting individual differences.
• Experience in drama and performance would be advantageous.
Formal pre-requisites
• Students need to have had previous Drama experience and achieved a minimum B grade
in either Drama or English. Essay and/or Extended Answer writing skills are essential.
Contact:
Mrs Lucy Felstead
Drama Teacher
[email protected]
21