Year 10 Drama (10DRA)

Overview

This year, you will build on Drama from Year Nine. If you were not in Year 9 Drama you are still very welcome in this course. You will develop your creativity, communication skills and ability to work sensitively and cooperatively with others. You will also look more closely at performance elements, techniques, conventions and technologies as you look further at the role Drama plays in the community and the outside world. You will work towards creating a performance of your choice during the second term of your course. This will be shared with a public audience that you agree to. You can choose to work on acting or lighting, set, props, sound, makeup, costume or stage management.

Your work is looked at using the four strands of the Arts Curriculum:

Developing Practical Knowledge:(PK)

Select and use techniques, conventions, and relevant technologies for specific drama purposes.

Developing Ideas(DI)

Select and refine ideas to develop drama for specific purposes.

Communicating and Interpreting:(CI)

Present and respond to drama and describe how drama combines elements, techniques, conventions, and technologies to create structure and meaning in their own and others’ work.

Understanding Drama in Context:(UC)

Investigate the characteristics, purposes, and function of drama in a range of contexts.

What will I learn?

An example of a likely course:

Term one

Using drama elements and techniques to create role

First, we will revise and explore elements and techniques. Drawing on some aspects of verbatim theatre you will present a very short sequence of a memory piece in a group that comes from a theme we choose together. The focus will be on all four techniques and how intricate small changes can transform your body and voice into another character completely.

The strands being assessed are: PK, CI

Using drama elements, techniques and conventions to devise drama

This will involve working in groups to present a devised performance. We will explore drama elements, techniques and conventions, and how to use them effectively to communicate meaning. You will then work as a group to devise a short 3-4 minute performance. Effective use of movement and space will be a key focus. If desired you will finally add music and soundscapes to highlight the meaning and theme in your performance.

The strands being assessed are: PK, DI, CI

Term two: Understanding production and production technologies

Production technologies

You will be introduced to key components of production technologies. Time will depend on how many we cover specifically but we aim to look at lighting design and operations, set design and making, costume design and construction, make-up design and application, sound design and creation of soundscape. The core basics of these will be explored and you will be given opportunities to decide if you wish to explore any further within a small production context.

Production time

As a class, we make an informed decision about the type of performance that bests suits the class and the time left in the term. A manageable performance is rehearsed for a small audience. It may be either script or devised based.

The strands being assessed are: PK, CI

Writing and recording is not a focus at this level as we spend our limited time DOING drama. However, it is expected that you have a journal/exercise book where you plan, brainstorm, record relevant information as well as information you may receive as part of your learning. You will also store your marks and feedback from work in class.

Where does this course lead?

This course is ideal preparation for the senior courses in Drama (Level 1 Drama) which will be assessed under the NCEA system.

Indicative costs

Read more about indicative course costs.