• Classes – Consist of small groups of up to 8. Close attention is given to the group dynamic and to ensuring that there is a culture of mutual affirmation and respect. Focus on group work assists students in developing social skills.
  • Presentation and Performance – The studio prepares students for both group and individual performances. Participation is optional but strongly encouraged. Performance and examination opportunities consist of Speech & Drama festivals, showcases, formal assessments (e.g. Oracy Australia) and examinations (e.g. A.M.E.B and Trinity College London.
  • Courses – Students are expected to commit to annual courses. Examinations and public performances are optional but encouraged. Students are given advice and assistance at the beginning of the year in selecting material suited to their level, their personal tastes and the nature of the examinations selected. Class activities through the year include:  speaking and acting skills, vocal technique, creative movement and theatre. Exposure to good literature and development of English skills are fundamental to the course.

 

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT

DRAMA
Improvisation, Acting skills, Role-playing, Mime, Creative Movement & Theatre games.

  • Mime – Non-verbal communication. Emphasis on communicating an idea and developing confidence.
  • Creative movement – This is a unifying activity involving the whole self. Develops discipline, spontaneity and self-awareness.
  • Improvisation – Improvisational games are designed to stimulate action, relationships, spontaneity and creativity of individuals in a group setting. It develops articulation and awareness of one’s own emotions. The experience of having to stand in someone else’s shoes and feel as he/she feels will help the individual to think through the results of his/her actions in real life. This develops tolerance, understanding and appreciation. Students learn the vitally important social skills of listening, negotiating, co-operating and decision-making.
  • Drama games – for fun and to develop trust, focus, concentration and listening skills.
  • Role Playing – participants adopt and act out the role of characters, or parts, that may have personalities, motivations, and backgrounds different from their own.
  • Acting technique – based on teachings of the major  theatre practitioners: Stanislavski, Chekhov, Grotowsky, Artaud,  Boal etc

SPEAKING
Voice training, Public Speaking skills, Individual & Group Performance.

  • Voice Training (posture, breathing, clear enunciation of vowels and articulation of consonants, voice projection, resonance etc).
  • Word games
  • Talks – explaining, instructing, informing, describing and reporting.
  • Story Telling

PERFORMANCE

Individual Performance – Students will have the opportunity of performing a text such as a poem, prose or monologue for an audience and/or a speech assessment or examination.

Group Performance – Students will have the opportunity of experiencing ensemble acting. Lower primary groups participate in group poetry speaking items and older groups perform small group plays. All ages participate in self-devised drama and theme programmes. In class activities include the scripting and performing of puppet plays.

In all areas of this course students will have the opportunity to experience and interpret literature.