Cranbourne East SC – VCE Unit Planner
Key Learning Area: / Performing ArtsUnit Title: / Theatre Studies
Year Level: / Unit Three
Duration: / Semester (20 weeks)
Content Outline: / In this unit students develop an interpretation of a playscript through the stages of the theatrical production process: planning, development and presentation. Students specialise in two areas of stagecraft, working collaboratively in order to realise the production of a playscript. They use knowledge they develop from this experience to analyse the ways stagecraft can be used to interpret previously unseen playscript excerpts. Students also attend a performance selected from the prescribed VCE Theatre Studies Unit 3 Playlist published annually in the VCAA Bulletin VCE, VCAL and VET, and analyse and evaluate the interpretation of the playscript in the performance.
Subject Specific Language
· Practitioner
· Stagecraft
· Design
· Rehearsal
· Playwright
· Epic Theatre
· Non-Naturalism
· Absurdist Theatre / Process Language
· Interpret Playscripts
· Convey historical context in performance and design
· Demonstrate knowledge of theatre styles
· Describe actor-audience relationship
· Research and apply stagecraft to interpret a playscript
Key skills – VCAA Study Design(s) / Key Content – VCAA Study Design
Area of Study One – Production Process
· Demonstrate an understanding of the stages of a production process
· Contribute effectively to the development of an imaginative interpretation of a playscript through involvement in each stage of the production process, culminating in a performance to an audience
· Demonstrate understanding of the ways stagecraft can be applied to interpret a playscript in performance
· Apply two areas of stagecraft to contribute to the development and presentation of a production to an audience
· Contribute effectively to two areas of stagecraft in collaboration with the production team throughout all stages of production
· Use theatre terminology and expression appropriately.
For Outcome 1 students select two areas of stagecraft with at least one from List A.
List A / List B
Acting / Publicity and marketing
Direction / Lighting
Design – any of costume, make-up, properties, set, sound. / Theatre technologies
Stage management
Production management.
/ Area of Study One – Production Process
· The nature and purpose of the three stages of the production process in the development of an imaginative interpretation of a playscript
· Contributions of individuals working in collaboration with others as part of the production team to interpret a playscript throughout the stages of the production process:
– production planning including developing initial concepts for the production
– production development including exploring and trialling approaches to achieving production aims
– presentation including involvement in bump-in, technical/dress rehearsals, performances, bump-out and evaluation
· Techniques used in two areas of stagecraft as part of a production process, culminating in the performance of a playscript to an audience
· Strategies for documenting and reflecting on the production process
· Theatre terminology and expressions.
Area of Study Two – Theatrical Interpretation
· Describe ways in which stagecraft can be used imaginatively to interpret excerpts from a playscript
· Justify how the interpretation could be realised through the application of stagecraft
· Document an interpretation of the excerpts
· Use theatre terminology and expression appropriately. / Area of Study Two – Theatrical Interpretation
· Theatrical and production possibilities of excerpts from a playscript
· The language of the playscript excerpts, including their nature, purpose and effect
· Ways in which meaning can be constructed in theatrical performance through the application of stagecraft
· Theatre terminology and expressions.
Area of Study Three – Analysing a Play in Performance
· Analyse ways in which the contexts of a written playscript were interpreted through performance to an audience
· Evaluate the interpretation of the written playscript for performance
· Analyse and evaluate the application of acting and other stagecraft to develop the written playscript for performance
· Discuss similarities and differences of theatrical styles between the playscript and the play in performance
· Use appropriate theatrical terminology and expressions. / Area of Study Three – Analysing a Play in Performance
· The contexts of the interpretation of a written playscript
· Decisions taken that were evident in the production to interpret the written playscript for performance
· The application of acting and other stagecraft to develop the written playscript for performance
· Theatrical styles in the written playscript and in the play in performance
· Terminology and expressions used to describe, analyse and evaluate a theatrical production.
Formative Assessment
Participation in class workshops
Reflective Questions
Research Questions
Design and Workshop Feedback
Class Discussion post Performance
Summative Assessment Tasks
Outcomes and School Assessed Coursework/Task
Outcome One - On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply stagecraft to interpret a playscript for performance to an audience. Students must utilize at least two stagecraft elements.
· SAC 1a – Pre-Production Journal (10%)
· SAC 1b – Class Performance (40%) ** this is completed in front of a live audience.
· SAC 1c – Post-Production evaluation (10%)
Outcome Two - On completion of this unit the student should be able to document an interpretation of excerpts from a playscript and explain how stagecraft can be applied in the interpretation.
· SAC 2 – Class Presentation (15%)
Outcome Three - On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and evaluate the interpretation of a written playscript in production to an audience.
· SAC 3 – Live Performance Analysis – Structured Questions (25%)
Area of Study One –Production Process
2 weeks / Course Content / Homework / School Assessed Coursework
Class Expectation/Introduction of Ensemble Project
· Discussion
· Workshop
· Introduction to 3 texts (Bald Soprano or The Venetian Twins) / Read synopsis of each play and select favourite work
Pre-Production Process
· Class select work they want to interpret and perform
· Class assign roles
· Begin Goal Setting / *Holiday Homework*
Goal setting Task
Read play
Respond to questions RE the play
Thematic Exploration
· Create class vision for the performance
· Begin writing in journals
12 weeks (ongoing during other tasks) / Rehearsal and Work shopping Process
· Scene Analysis
· Character Groups / Learning lines
Completing mini folio for notes / May 6
SAC 1a – Pre-Production Notes
Class Performance of Production
· Bump in, performance night etc. / Week Beginning May 9 TBC
SAC 1b – Class Performance
Post Production Evaluation
· Structured Reflection Questions / Week Beginning May 16th
SAC 1c – Post Evaualtion
Cranbourne East SC – VCE Unit Planner
Area of Study Three –Analysing a play in Performance3 Weeks
(During Area of Study 1) / Performance Analysis Discussion
· Responding to Structured Questions
· Reading of play script
· Character Motivation
· Potential Stagecraft / Structured Questions
· Excursion to Live Performance - *** DATE TBC
Post Performance Analysis
· Class Discussion
· Brainstorm
· Individual Research / DATE TBC – dependent on excursion date**
SAC 3 – Analysis of Live Performance
** Will take place 2 lessons after excursion date
Area of Study Two –Theatrical Interpretation
3 Weeks
(Started after performance week) / Introduction to new performance text
· Class reading of play
· Discussion of key themes
Working on Mini Presentation
· 3-5 minutes
· Show theatrical possibility for script and performance
· Present to rest of class – Multi media (visual audio aids welcome) / Framing Statement
Presentation
Practice speech / Week Beginning
13th June
SAC 2 – Class Presentation