The study of Drama focuses on the creation and performance of characters and stories in naturalistic and non-naturalistic ways. Students draw on a range of stimulus material and play-making techniques to develop and present devised work. Students also explore a range of performance styles and conventions, dramatic elements and stagecraft. They use performance and expressive skills to explore and develop role and character. They analyse the development of their own work and performances by other drama practitioners.

This study enables students to

• develop an understanding of performance styles and conventions from a diversity of cultures
• explore the process used to develop the dramatic potential of stimulus material
• develop, through practice and analysis, an understanding of drama as a way of communicating stories and meaning
• manipulate dramatic elements and stagecraft in devising and performing dramatic works
• develop and refine expressive and performance skills
• devise, perform and evaluate solo and ensemble dramatic works

Unit 1 Dramatic storytelling

Outcomes

Outcome 1
Creating a devised performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to devise and document solo and/or ensemble drama work/s based on experiences and/or stories.

Outcome 2
Presenting a devised performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to perform a devised drama work/s to an audience.

Outcome 3
Analysing a devised performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the development and performance to an audience of their non-naturalistic devised work.

Outcome 4
Analysing drama performances presented by other practitioners

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the portrayal of stories and characters in a drama performance by professional or other drama practitioners.

Assessment tasks for this unit are selected from the following:

Outcome 1

• demonstrate the use of play-making techniques to devise and rehearse a solo and/or ensemble drama work/s based on stories and/or characters
• document use of processes to create and develop stories and characters in drama. The documentation may be presented as:
  • –  a paper-based journal
  • –  an e-journal
  • –  a journal that combines hard and soft copy components.

Outcome 2

Perform a solo and/or ensemble devised drama work/s that features stories and characters.

Outcome 3

Analyse the drama work created and performed in Outcomes 1 and 2 in one of the following formats:

• a written report

• an oral presentation
• a multimedia presentation
• responses to structured questions.

Outcome 4

Write an analysis in one of the following formats:

• a written report
• responses to structured questions.

Unit 2 Non-naturalistic Australian drama

Outcomes

Outcome 1
Using Australia as inspiration

On completion of this unit the student should be able to devise and document the processes used to create a solo or ensemble non-naturalistic performance work.

Outcome 2
Presenting a devised performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to present a performance of a devised non- naturalistic work to an audience.

Outcome 3
Analysing a devised performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the creation, development and performance to an audience of their non-naturalistic devised work.

Outcome 4
Analysing Australian drama performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse a performance of an Australian drama work.

Assessment

Outcome 1

• demonstrate the use of play-making techniques to devise and rehearse a devised non-naturalistic solo or ensemble drama work based on a person, an event, an issue, a place, an artwork, a text and/or an icon from a contemporary or historical Australian context
• document use of processes to create and develop stories and characters in drama. The documentation may be presented as:
  • –  a paper-based journal
  • –  an e-jounal
  • –  a journal that combines hard and soft copy components.

Outcome 2

Perform a solo and/or ensemble devised drama work/s that features stories and characters.

Outcome 3

Analyse the drama work created and performed in Outcomes 1 and 2 in one of the following formats:

• a written report
• an oral presentation
• a multimedia presentation
• responses to structured questions.

Outcome 4

Write an analysis in one of the following formats:

• a written report
• responses to structured questions.

Unit 3 Devised non-naturalistic ensemble performance

Outcomes

Outcome 1
Devising and presenting non-naturalistic ensemble performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to develop and present character/s within a devised non-naturalistic ensemble performance.

Outcome 2
Responding to devised ensemble performances

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the use of processes, techniques and skills to create and present a devised ensemble performance.

Outcome 3
Analysing non-naturalistic performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and evaluate a non-naturalistic performance.

ASSESSMENT

Outcome 1

Assessment tasks

Development and presentation of character/s within an ensemble performance.

Analysis of the development and performance of character/s from the ensemble work developed for Outcome 1. The analysis may be presented in one of the following formats:

• a written report
• structured questions.

An analysis and evaluation of a play selected from the Unit 3 Playlist. The analysis may be presented in one of the following formats:

• a written report
• structured questions

*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 contributes 30 per cent.

Outcomes

Marks allocated*

Develop and present character/s within a devised non-naturalistic ensemble performance.

Outcome 2

Analyse use of processes, techniques and skills to create and present a devised ensemble performance.

Outcome 3

Analyse and evaluate a non-naturalistic performance.

Total marks

120

80

20

20

Unit 4 Non-naturalistic solo performance

Outcomes

Outcome 1
Working with stimulus material

On completion of this unit the student should be able to devise a solo performance in response to given stimulus material and describe the non-naturalistic qualities of the performance.

Outcome 2
Devising a non-naturalistic solo performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to create, develop and perform a non-naturalistic drama solo in response to a prescribed structure.

Outcome
Analysing devised non-naturalistic solo performance

On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and evaluate the creation, development and presentation of a devised non-naturalistic solo performance.

ASSESSMENT

Outcomes

Devise a solo performance in response to given stimulus material and describe the non- naturalistic qualities of the performance.

Analyse and evaluate the creation, development and presentation of a devised non-naturalistic solo performance.

A short written statement that identifies the non-naturalistic qualities of their response to the stimulus material.
And
A one to three minute presentation of a solo response to stimulus material.

A written report that uses the language of drama to analyse and evaluate the solo performance developed in Outcome 2.

Performance EXAM

The examination will be set by a panel appointed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Key knowledge and key skills that underpin Unit 4 Outcome 2 are examinable.

Students will present a solo performance based on a prescribed structure selected from the set published annually by a panel appointed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and published in the VCE Drama Performance Examination Specifications. The performance will draw on knowledge and skills from Unit 4, Outcome 2.

Students will present the assessors with a written Statement of Intention of no more than 80–100 words. The Statement of Intention is not assessed.

Conditions

The performance examination will be completed under the following conditions:

• Duration: no more than seven minutes. The solo performance will be presented as a single uninterrupted performance.
• Date: October, on a date to be notified by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.
• Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority examination rules will apply. Details of these

rules are published annually in the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook.

• Assessors appointed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will mark the

examination.

Contribution to final assessment

The performance examination will contribute 35 per cent.

Written EXAM

• Duration: one and a half hours.
• Date: end-of-year, on a date to be published annually by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment

Authority.

• Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority examination rules will apply. Details of these

rules are published annually in the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook.

• Assessors appointed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will mark the

examination.

Contribution to final assessment

The examination will contribute 25 per cent.

Contact Teacher - Ben Strickland