12 Drama 1

This course aims to continue building on performance and creative skills in Drama, as well as analytical theory work. Students will take part in the following projects throughout the year:

Devising 

Students will work in groups to create a short play centered around an historical event in New Zealand. Groups will develop a performance which uses drama conventions (e.g. freeze-frames, mime, symbolic movement) around a topic which is important or relevant to them, e.g. imprisonment of Māori, equal wages for women, or domestic violence. The play is presented in class to their peers. Assessment is based on creativity and execution of their ideas, and is group-marked.

Shakespeare

Shakespeare is one of the theatre-forms that is studied in Level 2 Drama, and the aim is for students to tackle Shakespeare in a judgement-free and culturally accessible way. As a class we look at different plays, including both comedies and tragedies. The students will work in groups to explore the features of Shakespeare and Elizabethan Theatre and will present an extract from a Shakespeare play to the class. Excellent performances will also be offered the chance to compete as part of the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare competition at the end of Term 1 against other schools.

Class Production

The class will perform a full-length play across two evenings to an audience of whānau, teachers, friends and invited guests. Students will be expected to work with the teacher and their peers to develop their role and get ready for a live performance. Assessment is based on their ability to act out their role in the play and their effect on the audience, and is individually assessed.

Drama Theory 

We will study a professional performance and sit an exam based on analysing theatre.