Scotch College

DRAMA Year 7 – 2011

Rationale

The Drama course aims to give each boy opportunities to develop his creative imagination. This includes capacity to develop self-expression, creativity, physical control, self-confidence, self-discipline, and both verbal and non-verbal skills. There is a strong connection, therefore, between Drama and other creative arts subjects. Because much of the activity is carried out in small groups, Drama also provides valuable experience in learning to work co-operatively and purposefully with others. While some of these objectives may (and indeed should) coincide with those of other teaching areas, there is a fundamental distinction that separates Drama from other creative subjects. Central to Drama is the focus on the human body and voice as prime means of expression. A theatrical context is used to give form to this underlying philosophy - that it is the use of the human body in acting and role play that human-kind has traditionally found to be a natural and accessible means of self-expression.

Drama at this level is not aimed specifically at producing actors skilled in the techniques of the theatre. Rather, the process of learning to work creatively as part of an ensemble is seen to be more important than the quality of acting reached in performance. The notion of ‘audience’ is kept at an essentially local level, and any further focus on formal theatre is left to later years. While play scripts or outlines may be used, most of the activities involve group-improvised presentations, which may then be polished for presentation and constructive criticism by the class. Through the units of work, we explore the importance of storytelling as a skill fundamental to our species and aim to expand the scope of their imaginations, engender a confidence for communicating their own thoughts, accept the ideas of others and develop a curiosity for exploring new ideas of their own. We also hope to stimulate and provoke a love for theatre and free expression as a resource for later life, whether it be in education or leisure.

Course content

In Year 7, all students participate in Drama for one semester only, twice per six day cycle. Initially, boys are taught a range of group dynamic skills through participating in theatre games and other activities.  The specific expressive skills of movement, voice, facial expression and gesture are taught as a means for students to present themselves and others on stage in more complex self devised stories and scenarios. The students then move into an exploration of storytelling with a unit of work which centers on the importance of Myths across generations and cultures. Students explore existing myths and create their own work. The third unit involves an exploration of the elements of Civics and Citizenship where groups explore, through dramatic means, the concept of Community.  During the course, each class presents an evening of self-devised performance to parents and friends.

Assessment

1. Group Dynamic Skills

2. Performance Skills