VCE Drama and Theatre Studies Exams

Returning to school after lockdown was a relief for all of us, but none more than our valiant Year 11 and 12 students preparing for the Performance Exams this term. Not having the opportunity to present to a public audience was disappointing but did not stop most of the students from testing their work on their class audience and teacher prior to their exam.

The performance exams were held at The Capital Theatre in on October 16th (Theatre Studies) and November 2 (Drama). Additional COVID regulations this year meant that teachers could not go inside the venue with their students to assist them with their props and costumes before the exam time.

In Theatre Studies, students were required to select a monologue script from one of the 10 plays provided by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). The students had to choose two production roles to complete this task, either as an Actor/Director or two design roles (costume, set, lighting, sound). Their research involved reading the whole play and developing a presentation – either a performance or design pitch to justify their interpretation of the script in their chosen roles. Performances and design presentations were accompanied by a written Statement of Interpretation, read to the three examiners at the conclusion of their performance all within an eight-minute time limit.

For Drama, students had to create their own solo performance. This involved researching a character stimulus from the VCAA characters provided. The students had to write and construct their own script, applying conventions of transformation of character, time, place and use of symbol. They shaped the rhythm and structure of their performance through rehearsals to present their solo performance within a six-minute exam time limit.

Despite the challenges of working in isolation during remote learning, our students showed their resilience and perseverance to still do their best.

Congratulations to:

Theatre Studies

Kody Austin – Actor/Director: Jack from Into the Woods

Jacob Ware - Actor/Director: Jack from Into the Woods

Tayla McArthur – Actor/Director: The Witch from Into the Woods

Eliza Christie - Actor/Director: The Witch from Into the Woods

Salisa Lambert - Actor/Director – Boy, Girl, Wall

Jack Garnett – Lighting and Sound Design: Boy, Girl, Wall

Francis (Doug) Andrews - Actor/Director: Private Peaceful

Lochie Read – Costume and Set Design: Private Peaceful

Leonard Keats - Actor/Director: Frank from Faith Healer