Learning Areas > Drama and Theatre
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About the Learning Area
The study of Drama and Theatre in Senior School has broad benefits for students of all abilities.
- Development of presentations skills – such as use of voice and gesture – giving students self-confidence and an awareness of how to engage an audience.
- Development of creative and critical thinking skills; students problem-solve how to work collaboratively to develop performances.
- Development of the ability to consider the perspectives of others and heightened social awareness.
A number of academic studies in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States highlight the positive effect that the study of Drama has had on student academic outcomes. More than merely producing good actors, Drama develops good communicators and effective collaborators.
Students studying Drama in Year 10 complete VCE Drama Unit 1: Storytelling and VCE Theatre Studies Unit 2: Contemporary theatre styles and movements. In this year-long course students have an opportunity to devise original performances, stage scenes for performance, learn about theatrical styles and analyse diverse professional theatre performances. Year 10 Drama equips students well to study an accelerated subject in Year 11 (in 2027, VCE Drama Unit 3 and 4); in 2028 VCE Theatre Studies Units 3 and 4, or IB Theatre.
Students in Year 10 can also study Literature and Production, an interdisciplinary elective that offers students the opportunity to understand how literature comes to life through adaptation and transformation for different audiences and contexts.
IB Theatre is offered as a Group 6 subject in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Run over the two years, this dynamic course challenges, excites and stimulates the students. The academic results achieved are consistently outstanding.
A highlight of Senior School Drama and Theatre is the broad range of theatrical performances students view as part of their studies. Specialists in the fields of acting and theatre run intensive workshops exploring diverse theatre traditions and developing performance skills.
Note: Students studying Drama in the VCE will do Unit 3 and 4 Drama in 2027 and Unit 3 and 4 Theatre Studies in 2028. There are no prerequisites for studying Drama or Theatre in Year 11 and 12.
