Year 12 Theatre Studies Units 3 and 4
Overview
Theatre Studies Unit 3 and 4 is a program supported by our friends at the Melbourne Theatre Company. We’ve developed a course that brings practicing actors, directors and designers to the online classroom, creative workshops, and rehearsal spaces.
See professional theatre from the inside and apply this knowledge and skill to Unit 3. You will collaborate with your fellow students in production teams to interpret a script for a live presentation to an audience.
In Unit 4, you will develop a creative and imaginative interpretation of a monologue from a script. Students choose two production roles to specialise in: actor/director, costume, make-up, props, set, sound and lighting.
In both units, you will see live productions from the VCAA Theatre Studies play list, and attend in-person workshops to develop your theatre making skills.
Image right: Fiona Choi, Charles Wu, Michelle Lim Davidson and Diana Lin in Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Torch the Place. Photo Jeff Busby.
Complete the Pre-Enrolment form:
2022 THEATRE STUDIES Units 3&4 – Part A – Student Pre-enrolment Form
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Year12TheatreA
2022 THEATRE STUDIES Units 3&4 – Part B – Supervising Teacher Pre-enrolment Form
Who is it for?
This subject is for students who enjoy engaging deeply with all aspects of theatre: as audience members, actors, directors and designers.
What do you do?
You will:
- be a valued member of a production team
- interpret a script across the stages of production
- engage in creative and collaborative work in two production roles
- specialise in acting and directing and/or:
- specialise in design (costume, make-up, props, set, sound and lighting)
- experiment with theatre technologies
- apply dramaturgy to production roles
- analyse and evaluate two live theatre productions
- develop a creative and imaginative interpretation of a monologue
- immerse yourself in all things theatre
What skills do you need?
You need to be able to speak clearly about your creative ideas and have the capacity to build collaborative relationships with others in your production team. You will be required to actively engage with all stages of the production process, analyse and evaluate two live theatre productions, commit to seeing a project completed and have a sense of adventure and exploration!
What skills do you develop?
Some of the skills you will develop are:
- confident articulation and expression of your creative ideas
- analytical and critical thinking in response to theatre scripts and productions
- creative and imaginative thinking
- theatre production specialisations: acting, direction and design
- collaborative work as part of a production team
Requirements
Complete the Pre-Enrolment form:
2022 THEATRE STUDIES Units 3&4 – Part A – Student Pre-enrolment Form
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Year12TheatreA
2022 THEATRE STUDIES Units 3&4 – Part B – Supervising Teacher Pre-enrolment Form
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Year12TheatreB
This course is delivered online and through occasional in-person workshops. You must have internet access and you are required to attend the weekly online classes. You will need your own a headset with a microphone and a computer with a webcam.
You will need:
- a device to record work in progress with good quality image and sound
- the support of a supervisor or mentor within the school to guide the theatre production processes.
Recommended textbook for this course:
Acting Smart, Theatre Studies (Version 8) by Jane Bird, Richard Sallis & Mark Bailey, Melbourne: Acting Smart, 2019
Things to think about
You will be:
- required to complete an Expression of Interest form and speak with the Theatre Studies teacher at VSV to confirm that you have the necessary supports to study this subject effectively
- assigned a production team to work with
- working collaboratively and independently
- consistently documenting your contributions to your production team
- required to develop your ability to analyse and evaluate creative and imaginative interpretations of productions
- expected to attend production team meetings, rehearsals and take part in the presentation of a live performance for an audience
- required to attend the in person workshops and two theatre productions in inner-city Melbourne
- expected to invest in your ability to think, write and speak critically in response to theatre
- presenting evidence of your contributions to your teacher and communicating with them via phone, email and through regular attendance at the weekly 1-hour online classes
- meet the VCAA assessment requirements for the study
- assessed by your teacher for Outcomes 1, 2 and 3
- assessed externally by VCAA in the monologue examination and the end of year written examination.
Things you can do now
Read through your copy of the required textbook which will give you an excellent overview of the subject: Acting Smart, Theatre Studies (Version 8) by Jane Bird, Richard Sallis & Mark Bailey, Melbourne: Acting Smart, 2019.
Visit the MTC Education page:
- Step behind the scenes for a virtual tour of Southbank Theatre and discover how magic is created on stage in an MTC production.
- Take a virtual tour of MTC HQ and explore the spaces where plays are rehearsed, sets are built and costumes are made.
- Discover the ever expanding library of digital resources created especially for students by our friends at MTC
Explore the VCAA website for further information about Theatre Studies. Read the subject information, past exams and assessors reports. Find out about the subject through the VCE Theatre Studies Study Design.
Things to have a look at
Australian Plays – Find out about Australian plays and playwrights.
Melbourne Theatre Company YouTube channel – Hang out with our friends at MTC.
National Theatre at Home – Explore examples of on-line theatre productions from the National Theatre in London.