Year 11 Drama Units 1 and 2
Overview
Students will explore performance styles and create their own self-devised work. Students will improvise, script and perform as both solo and ensemble artists. This will culminate in presenting the work to an audience.
We have a number of in person workshops, performances and excursions to live theatre. You will be expected to attend 3-4 in person days each Semester. These days are compulsory if you are located in the metropolitan region (within 2 hours of Melbourne).
In Semester 1 – all students will devise and perform a solo work.
In Semester 2 – all students will devise and perform an ensemble work. Note – if regional students are willing to travel into Melbourne for workshop intensives, they can participate in an ensemble for Semester 2.
Who is it for?
Drama is for students who enjoy writing and performing their own work. You will use a range of stimulus material to create your own performances.
What do you do?
In this unit you will:
- Brainstorm based on stimulus material
- Learn about performance styles
- Write your own scripts
- Work with other students for the ensemble work
- Perform to a school wide audience
- Analyse professional performance
What skills do you need?
You will need to be creative and motivated to create your own work. You will be required to be open to exploring stimulus and collaborating with others. You will be performing all work to an audience.
What skills do you develop?
In this unit you will develop the following skills:
- Imaginative thinking skills
- Processes for the development of creative work
- An understanding of a range of performance styles
- How to incorporate performance techniques and conventions of each style
- Using expressive and performance skills
- Working collaboratively
- Self-expression
- An understanding of the actor-audience relationship
- Analysing and Evaluating professional and self-devised theatre.
Requirements
This course is delivered online. You must have access to the internet and are required to attend weekly online lessons or rehearsals or production meetings.
You will need:
- a headset with microphone
- a webcam
- a camera to record practical work in progress with good image and sound
You will also need to be able to travel to Melbourne for excursions, workshops and performances throughout the year. (3-4 dates per semester).
Things to think about
You will be:
- Required to submit the pre-enrolment forms
- If located in the metropolitan region (2 hours or less from Melbourne) expected to attend all in-person days
- If in regional Victoria (more than 2 hours away from Melbourne) you are expected to attend the on-site workshop, rehearsal and performance dates in Unit 2 (3-4 dates per semester)
- Required to attend online lessons and actively participate
- Viewing a professional performance in both Semesters
- Submitting theoretical and practical work weekly
- Filming acting tasks for submission
- Presenting performances to the VSV community
Things you can do now
- Go to the theatre
- Read scripts of contemporary Australian playwrights.
- Watch previous years VCAA ‘Season of Excellence’ Top Class – Drama Solos
- Read through previous years VCAA Drama Solo PDF documents (available online)
- Read through previous years VCAA Drama Playlists – lists of plays schools have seen and studied
- Explore the VCAA website information for Year 11 and Year 12 Drama. Read the study design and past exam papers.
A new Study Design is set to be released for the commencement of 2025.
Things to have a look at
Top Acts showcases extraordinary performances by VCE Drama students.
Top Acts showcases extraordinary performances by VCE Drama students who received an A+ for their Solo Performance from across Victoria
VCE Drama Solo 2021 – A+
An A+ VCE Drama Solo 2021 – ‘The Concierge’