Drama (A/T/M)

Course information

The study of Drama develops knowledge and understanding through exploration of performance and production elements. Dramatic works have the capacity to engage, inspire and enrich all students, excite the imagination, and encourage students to reach their creative and expressive potential. Drama builds confidence, empathy, understanding about human experience, and a sense of identity and belonging. Students develop self-management, problem-solving, leadership and interpersonal skills. They learn to be resourceful, critical, and creative thinkers, and develop capacity to take risks including innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership within the Arts. Students experience the challenge and pleasure that comes from the study of drama that can be transferred to a range of careers and situations.

Post-school pathways

Do you enjoy or are you good at Performing Arts? (pdf, 110kb)

Workload expectation

All Performing Arts units have an emphasis on practical work with the inclusion of written analytical tasks and creative tasks. Students may be required to participate in rehearsals or external performances outside of timetabled class times.

Course pattern

May be available as a Minor, Major, Major-Minor or Double Major.

Suggested Minor course

Suggested Major course

Note: There are no pre-requisites. However, Creativity in Drama is suggested as the first unit of study.

Unit descriptions

Creativity in Drama

Students develop their skills to think imaginatively and flexibly, to express their understanding of self, others, and the world. They explore techniques and strategies to achieve their purpose and apply the creative process. Students work collectively, collaboratively, and independently to examine the human experience and create new insights.

Communicating Meaning in Drama

Students examine how meaning is communicated in drama, utilising performance skills, elements of production, forms, and styles. By conducting research and analysing dramatic works that have made a difference, students draw conclusions about the purpose and intended audience. They develop skills in empathy, interaction, responsiveness, and communication. Through the creation of their own dramatic works, students understand semiotics and power relationships in different societies. They apply dramatic techniques to shape audience response, by provoking, informing, or entertaining.

Drama in Context

Students explore the works of dramatists and performers from different times and different places, to understand the way social, historical, political and/or cultural contexts have shaped theatre and impacted audiences. They engage with the issues and ethical dilemmas confronting people in other contexts, to develop insight and intercultural understanding. Through a range of perspectives, they examine the possibilities - through different genres, forms of practice and approaches to technique, they gain understanding of dramatic techniques that may be applied.

Innovation in Drama

Students learn about innovative dramatic practice, past and present, and employ techniques and forms to break with conventions, and to be inventive in their work. They explore the dramaturgical and technical capacity to encompass innovations in technique, performance, direction, production and/or digital platforms. Students examine the nature of ensemble and group practices, and the reinvention of traditional notions of theatre, processes, and roles. They develop skills in inquiry, resourcefulness, sustainability, and curiosity. Students appraise works that have revolutionised theatre over time and challenged and redefined audience expectations.

Arts at Gungahlin College

Arts programs include Ceramics, Dance, Drama, Media, Music, Photography, Visual Arts, as well as Industry skills programs in Musical and Stage Performance and Live Production Services. Arts studios and classrooms are fully equipped with high-quality technology and resources, including a fully operational theatre.