Code: DRA005
Title: Say It How It Is: Documentary Drama
Pre-requisites: DRA002 and DRA004
Coordinator: Ms Sue Lonsdale

This unit of work explores the dramatic style of Documentary Drama and its associated elements and conventions. Documentary Drama is a collection of material selected around an issue-based theme and shaped into a dramatic performance. Some of the selected content is grounded in fact and slanted to express particular points of view. Students will explore a document/s relevant to youth and create their own monologues and then Doco Drama’s and perform them. This unit integrates technology into the Drama classroom and performance.

An opportunity to see a live performance of Theatre For Young People will also occur during this semester unit where students will learn about writing play reviews and analysing the Dramatic Languages of Role, Symbol, Contrast and the Contemporary Dramatic Perspective of TYP (Theatre for Young People).

Topics

• Devise and refine scenarios and scipts, both individually and as part of an ensemble, using elements and conventions appropriate to Documentary Drama style and purpose
• Present rehearsed, polished performance applying performance skills appropriate to Documentary Drama style and the performance space
• Write play reviews that evaluate the forms, styles and processes used in dramatic action and performance, identifying the influence of purpose and context of Theatre for Young People.

Assessment

Students will complete the following pieces of assessment:

• Research Assignment (Due mid-late Term 3) DOWNLOAD
• Collaborative Drama and Drumming Performance (Due late Term 4)
• Group Performance (Due end of Term 3) DOWNLOAD

At completion students should know

• Realistic and non-realistic acting styles
• How Bertolt Brecht's Epic theatre has influenced modern day theatre
• How true stories can be incorporated into performance work
• How our own true stories can be powerful and provocative material for performance work. 

At completion students should be able to

• draw on personal stories and historical eventws as the basis for performance work
• utilise skills of listening, interpretation and improvisation
• devise a performance using the techniques and conventions of Documentary Drama

Literacy elements

• Use of ICT's in research and class work
• Development of Drama terminology
• Use of a range of learning information sources
• Modified curriculum for students in need of extension or special consideration

Integrated technology

• Internet searches
• On line workshops with guest artists
• Power point presentations
• Digital camera

Assignment guidelines

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

Resources

1 x A4 exercise book, 1 x document wallet

Related Links

• Theatre Links - Documentary
• Porte Parole (PP)