Drama
Syllabus
Stage 6 drama students explore all aspects of theatre performance and styles through making, performance and critically studying. HSC students are required to undertake a written examination, participate in a group performance and complete an individual project. Students can select one of the options listed below for their individual project.
- Critical analysis (one of the following)
- director’s folio
- portfolio of theatre criticism
- applied research project.
- Design (one of the following)
- lighting
- promotion and program
- set
- costume.
- Performance.
- Scriptwriting.
- Video drama.
Making
Students will develop knowledge and understanding in making when:
- developing and adopting performance skills in a variety of theatrical situations, roles and characters
- interpreting, expressing and performing scripted and unscripted material through a variety of forms of media
- understanding, manipulating and analysing the use of the elements of drama in performance
- playbuilding and directing performances to communicate dramatic meaning as an individual and group performer
- demonstrating skills using the elements of production and valuing the contribution of an individual through the collaborative group performance process.
Performing
Students will develop knowledge and understanding in performing when:
- demonstrating performance skills with a dynamic and effective actor-audience relationship as an individual and group performer
- understanding the contribution and roles of the elements of production staff and how this attributes to how well an audience is engaged during a performance
- performing in a variety of styles and theatre spaces in a diverse range of theatrical contexts
- demonstrating exemplary knowledge of the elements of drama when performing
- appreciating the complexity of the performance process, commitment, focus and energy required for the theatre industry.
Critically studying
Students will develop knowledge and understanding in critically studying when:
- evaluating and appraising personal, professional and the performances of others in written and oral responses
- demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the impact of theatre and society as cultural and issues-based expressions in Australia and overseas
- researching, appreciating and analysing the value of various theatrical styles, the theatre industry and theatrical movements throughout history and the present.
Sample scope and sequences
The sample Stage 6 scope and sequence documents provide teachers with overviews for programming and assessment in the HSC and Preliminary drama courses.
Stage 6 resources
Student interviews
The videos below explore a series of approaches and insights into the group performance processes and the various individual project options for the HSC drama course. These interviews are one component derived from our online professional learning module titled 'Stage 6 Drama - Inside the projects' (RG14249).
Individual project
Director's Portfolio (00:08:20)
Critical Analysis – Applied Research Project (00:12:30)
Design - Lighting (00:05:24)
Design - Set (00:07:23)
Scriptwriting - Walama Muru (00:05:59)
Video Drama (00:04:55)
Portfolio of Theatre Criticism (00:05:03)
Design – Costume (00:06:15)
Design – Promotion and Program (00:06:35)
Performance (00:15:49)
Scriptwriting - Game Night (00:06:26)
Group performance
Story of a Hat (00:14:00)
Written in the stars (00:08:24)
Sample tasks and schedules
The samples below have been provided to assist in planning and assessing for HSC drama.
Logbook checklist
The Logbook checklist (DOCX 44.2KB) provides teachers with a straightforward guide for suggested logbook inclusions. By following this list, teachers can monitor their student's process through the individual project/group performance through a rich investigative procedure.
Our Town assessment task
The following sample assessment task is for a study of Thornton Wilder's play, Our Town.
Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) presents school productions, teacher training and workshops for secondary and primary students as well as drama, English and entertainment teachers.
The English National Theatre provides resource packs of current and past productions as well as a virtual tour of the venue.
The NSW Arts unit offers professional learning workshops and opportunities for teachers of the arts, including drama.
Rationale guides
HSC resources
Assessment in the HSC (Drama)
The Assessment in the HSC resource is designed to provide Stage 6 teachers with opportunities to develop their understanding of the assessment requirements for the practical and performance works in the HSC drama course. It has been written to support and compliment the NESA Creative Arts Assessment and Reporting in Stage 6 drama advice and requirements.
HSC drama teachers can use this resource to:
- familiarise themselves with the requirements of each practical and performance component
- develop their understanding of the language of the NESA assessment criteria for each of the practical and performance works
- develop confidence in applying assessment criteria through identification and analysis of work sample characteristics
- assist Year 12 students in making informed choices when selecting course options
- build student confidence and knowledge of success in each practical and performance work.
Introducing the HSC IP
An interactive online module to support students selecting and developing their HSC drama individual project (IP). This resource is flexibly designed for individual or whole class use.
Teachers can set activities or work through the series of individual project option activities. As students progress through the module, teachers can interact with students and provide feedback in various forms. There are two quizzes and an individual project questionnaire for students to complete in this module.
Teachers can collect student responses by duplicating the links below and providing these to students separately.
Learning from home resources
Student guided online learning sequences to support learning from home or in the classroom
Black comedy study module
A student-centred online study module exploring content for Topic 6: Black Comedy of the Stage 6 HSC drama course.
Boal study module
Brecht study module
A student-centred online study module exploring content for Topic 8: Significant plays of the 20th Century of the Stage 6 HSC drama course.
Jacques Lecoq study module
A student-centred study module exploring content for Topic 4: Approaches to Acting of the Stage 6 HSC drama course.
Vsevolod Meyerhold study module
A student-centered study module exploring content for Topic 4: Approaches to Acting of the Stage 6 HSC drama course.
Preliminary resources
Group devising – using research as stimulus
This learning sequence includes suggested activities and resource links for teaching improvisation, acting and playbuilding in the preliminary drama course. Students will use research and active improvisation to generate and refine an original piece of group devised theatre. This resource also includes a summative assessment task and marking rubrics.
Text and intention
This 9 week unit of work includes suggested learning activities, assessment and resource links for teaching theatrical traditions and performance styles in Year 11. Students will explore and research the approaches of various theatre practitioners, and work collaboratively to interpret and perform script extracts from 'Love and Information' by Caryl Churchill.
Other resources
Elements of drama
Elements of drama poster and brief animated video are available to print, play and display in your classroom via the links below.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Drama page contains the syllabus and helpful materials including a sample assessment schedule, HSC advice, specimen exams, HSC marking guidelines, standards materials, past papers additional support information.
If you need further assistance with accessibility for any of these resources, please get in touch with us at SecondaryEducationUnit@det.nsw.edu.au