Drama Notebook

by Kate Ellis

This term has moved at a lightning speed. It's been a pleasure to work with new groups (the Year 7s) and to continue working with the now Year 10 and Year 12 groups.

Year 7

Students have been embodying the learning studied in English this term. Both English and Drama have run a Fantasy Unit allowing the meta-language, character and plot points specific to the genre to be realised in the body. Their work culminated in a final performance piece entitled The Magic Doorway to which they devised three scenes exploring; first, the everyday world (so there was a point of contrast and a moment for everyday characters to be able to realise said contrast); then the symbolic doorway moment, that is, the transition point; and then created a fantasy world on the other side. The students have been inventive in their worlds as much as their doorways and have gone into tasks with great energy.

Year 8

The Year 8 group has been working on a unit on 'character'. Specifically, we have been looking at approaches to understanding people in our everyday world through exploration of different characters. We have been learning how, by 'stepping into other people's shoes', we gain insight and perhaps empathy. Students explored internal and external ways into character. For instance, we looked into 'fatal flaw' as well as how a person’s physicality (the way they hold themselves, walk, etc) might give us clues as to what they are carrying within them. The unit culminated in a take-home research project - to observe and study people in the everyday world and bring them back as characters. 

Year 10

It has been an important and exciting term for Year 10 Drama students. Last year students were asked what they wanted to learn in Drama in 2017. Many were keen on learning how actors access truthful emotions, ie how do they cry on cue? The unit was entitled TRUTH and students have learned how to annotate scripts, untilise and interpret beats and studied the work of voice and acting coach Patsy Rodenburg. The unit culminated in a scene study from the play 'Six Degrees of Separation' which lent itself to melodrama. Students had to employ techniques learned to play the scene TRUTHFULLY. 

Year 12 

The Year 12 Drama ensemble has been thrown in the deep end as is the case with all Year 12 levels. They are in the throes of developing their ensemble piece, one that must showcase their skills and understanding of non-naturalism (the theatre style studied at VCE). We have also gone on an excursion to Top Acts: Drama to see exemplary works in the end-of-year solo examination. Next up - an excursion to see 'Parasites' at La Mama in preparation for questions in the end-of-year exam. 

School Production Update

by Karoline Kuti

The 2017 production is in full swing. Rehearsals are going well and much progress has been made.

The cast ventured out of the school grounds to go and see The Play That Goes Wrong  at the Comedy Theatre. This hilarious stage show inspired and enthralled our performers. Many new ideas and suggestions have come from this experience. It was a thigh-slapping evening!