Senior Drama

Drama can be taken as an option at year 10 and this course is designed with a view to preparing students for NCEA level one. The course topics include movement, mime, improvisation, narrative playbuilding, melodrama. Students are introduced to a basic understanding of dramatic elements and conventions, performance techniques, devising and journaling strategies.

Students are able to study drama at NCEA level 1, 2 and 3. A brief outline of each course is avaliable through clicking on the links below.

As part of their course work, students participate in regular performance evenings in our Performing Arts Centre. Parents, family and friends are invited along to these events which continue to gain in popularity. The students get a real buzz out of performing in front of an invited audience, making use of the benefits of staging and theatre lights.

Level 1 drama has an emphasis on students devising their own work whilst developing a sound knowledge of dramatic elements and conventions. These are the building blocks and tools used to structure, enhance and bring meaning to drama. Students are also required to study the features of a particular theatre genre or period and create a piece of theatre in which they perform a technical or production role. There is an external exam in which students are asked to identify, select and discuss dramatic techniques, conventions and elements. They are also asked to outline the processes used to devise the dramas they have created during the year and reflect on the effectiveness of drama performances they have viewed or been involved in.

Drama 1/1 - Uses drama techniques
Credits: 4
“Animated Images”
Students will select and integrate a comprehensive range of drama techniques - voice, body, movement and use of space – to convey meaning.  

Drama 1/2 - Use elements and conventions to devise drama
Credits: 4
“Shared Stories”
Students will use drama elements and conventions to devise a drama based on a personal story.

Drama 1/3 - Demonstrate knowledge of a theatre genre or style through a practical presentation
Credits : 3
“Clowning”
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the ‘clowning’ genre by presenting a performance that incorporates the key features of that style of theatre.

Drama 1/4 - Perform an acting role
Credits : 4
“Inside the Mask”
Students will create a scripted drama and perform an acting role based around the masks they have made.

Drama 1/5 - Perform a technical or production role
Credits : 4
“Issues Unmasked”
Using a variety of myths and legends, students will research, design, make and use their own mask.

Drama1/6 - Understand and reflect on drama processes, applied to new contexts.
Credits : 5
“External Exam”