Code: DRA001
Title: On the Spot
Pre-requisites: None
Coordinator: Ms Sue Lonsdale

Drama is a special area of study where you, the student, become the performer: the instrument that expresses ideas and feelings through dramatic action to an audience.  In all societies around the world and throughout history, live dramatic performanc has always been part of the community.  This unit will explore the art of improvisation – an entertaining form of performance which requires the performer to think quickly, be inventive and imaginative. Students will learn valuable creative, imaginative problem solving, interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills – the new kinds of learning for the millennium.

Topics

• Identify what are improvisatons
• Identify what are role plays
• Learn how to stay in role
• Make and accept offers
• Improvise from a script
• Devise drama
• Perform in front of an audience

Assessment

Students will complete three pieces of assessment over the semester:

• An Improvisation Performance Task (Due end of semester) DOWNLOAD
• Devising Task  (Due mid semester)
• Review a Live Production (Floating Task)

At completion students should know

• The skills of improvisation
• How to create short scenes
• A range of dramatic styles to create believable and purposeful characterisations
• The importance of team/ensemble work

At completion students should be able to

• Create and sustain interesting character type
• Work successfully as an ensemble
• Identify and incorporate the elements of drama in improvisation to create a coherent performance
• Contribue and incorporate their own ideas to create improvised performance work
• Effectively communicate role and character
• Be spontaneous
• Think critically and write short critiques of live theatre
• Present devised and scripted drama using performance skills appropriate for a variety of purposes and audiences
• Present selected roles using performance skills appropriate to the selected dramatic form, style and purpose

Literacy elements

• Use of ICT's such as The Learning Place 'Blackboard' program
• Incorporation of higher order thinking and a deeper understanding of the plays they view
• Use of range of learning information sources, including 'Stage Struck'
• Modified curriculum for students in need of extension or special consideration
• Learn drama specific vocabulary to interpret, communicate and explore imaginative thinking, feelings and understanding

Integrated technology

• Internet
• Word processing
• Internet research
• Digital camera

Assignment guidelines

Please refer to the Assignment Guidelines on how to set out bibliographies and references.  

Resources

• A4 Visual Diary

Related Links

• Roleplaying Games & Information
• The Spolin Centre
• Learning Improv