Year 10 Drama
10DRAM Course DescriptionTeacher in Charge: Ms B. Cannan.
Recommended Prior LearningThe year’s work will centre on drama creation, studies and performance and will provide a foundation for NCEA Drama in Years 11 to 13. Students will develop skills around acting techniques, theatrical forms and genres as well as applying the elements and conventions of drama through their own devised work. They may use text, music, images, props and costumes as ways of creating impactful theatre and will develop their ability to reflect on their own progress as well as feedback constructively on the work of others.
Viewing live theatre is essential so there will be class trips to view performances. We do our best to keep costs to a minimum, using public transport where possible. These opportunities expose our students to best practice, innovative ideas and showcase the possible pathways in the performing arts. They also provide insight into differing social, historical and cultural perspectives to help build empathy for and awareness of how other people experience the world.
There is an emphasis on group work and strong attendance is required to ensure individual and group success.
Course Overview
Term 1
Elizabethan Theatre - The history of the form, social context and duologue performances. Different theatre form is studied each year in Drama such as Theatre Aotearoa, Commedia, Political Theatre, Absurdist Theatre, Post War American Realism and Epic Theatre.
Term 2
Devised Theatre - students work in groups to create an original piece from a stimulus. This unit focuses on the Drama Elements of Focus, Atmosphere, Role, Time, Tension, Space and Place together with the many and varied Drama Conventions which aid in storytelling.
Term 3
Scripted Performances - students work in small groups to learn, rehearse and present a short scene from a play. This unit focuses on the Drama Techniques of Voice, Body, Movement and Space.
Term 4
Screen Acting - students work with the Drama Technologies of Lighting, Costuming, Set, Props and Sound as part of developing short scenes for film. This is a good introduction to an aspect of Media while also showcasing more mainstream and contemporary fields for acting.
Assessment Information
Shakespeare Performance
Devising Performance
Scripted Performance
Screen Acting Performance
Drama increases confidence, teaches empathy, extends insight and provides wonderful opportunities to understand different social, historical and cultural perspectives.
Drama helps prepare students for careers in the performing arts, media and creative fields such as directing. These abilities also provide a sound base for management, teaching, marketing, medicine, and politics. Empathy is an essential skill when navigating in society as confident, robust, optimistic citizens.
Animator/Digital Artist, Advertising Specialist, Copywriter, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Actor, Artistic Director, Dancer, Building and Construction Manager, Entertainer
Course Material CostsAll students are taken to a theatre performance. This cost varies between $20 and $35. This prepares students for the examinations in Year 11 Drama and shows them different skills they can then use in their own work.