SENIOR DRAMA
Aldridge State High School
YEAR 11 – SEMESTER 1, TERM 2
Senior Drama
Realism & Australian Drama
Dimension 1: Forming (Individual)
Practical: Directing (Published Playtext)
Semester 1 – Task 3 - Forming
Name______________________________
Drafts Due:
Due Date:
Context
DIRECTING
“There is no definitive originary meaning, since what the "original"
performance meant will itself have been fragmented, and
experienced in many different ways” Michael Shanks
Theatre/Archaeology
“Every good play has a basic “will
she or won’t she…,” an essential
question about the central
character(s) that keeps the
audience interested, a question
around which all the action
revolves. Think of Shakespeare’s
Hamlet: Will the prince avenge his
father’s murder? Ibsen’s A Doll’s
House:Will Nora keep her secret
from Torvald?
As the Director, you must
understand what primarily keeps
the audience interested in the
ongoing action.” Frank Hauser:
Notes on Directing
“To be a director you have to be
in complete control of the set,
complete control of the
surroundings, and very aware of
what's going on, what's being used
and what's not being used... It's
insanity. To be an actor you have
to be, in a sense, out of
control.” Johnny Depp
SENIOR DRAMA
Aldridge State High School
YEAR 11 – SEMESTER 1, TERM 2
Task:
You are required to select an extract from an Australian Realist playtext and direct peer actors. You need to read the play in its entirety
to fully understand and envision the play on the stage. You will then need to select an extract (scene) that will enable you to show your
skills in the management and manipulation of the elements of drama, whilst highlighting the conventions of Realism. This task will
consist of a written Director’s Folio, and a live four – six minute directing presentation.
On the day of your assessment you will practically demonstrate your directorial vision. The teacher will select your actors to help
demonstrate this vision. Any special staging, props or costumes required to show your directional intentions, will need to be provided by
you.
You can choose from:
Fly in Fly out
Blackrock
After January
Task A- Director’s Folio- Written Component
1. A 200-300 word rationale
2. Your chosen section of script, fully annotated including blocking, intention, action, subtext, beats (Original in-class drawn on versions,
AND a neatly presented portfolio style version required)
3. A neatly presented Stage Diagram (a birds eye view of the stage space, with clear indications of significant stage objects) inclusive
with any props or costumes required.
Task B – Directorial Workshop – Performance as a director (4-6 minutes)
1. You will direct the actors in your selected scene, providing them with explicit directions about how to perform, and your intended
blocking. Your actors will have 10 – 15 minutes to read the script on their own before they receive your direction, where they will work
the scene in a staged reading workshop scenario.
2. Provide a copy of your annotated script for the actors on the day.
Student assessment requirements:

Audio visual recording of the directorial input.

You will provide a reflection after your assessment.

An explanation detailing the background to the conceptualisation (artistic directorial vision) and creation of dramatic action and meaning.

A script with annotations indicating choices about management and shaping of the dramatic languages.

Additional notes required to support your choices.
Dramatic Languages
Elements of Drama
 Mood
Situation
 Tension
Movement
 Space
Symbol
 Place
Time
 Character
Skills of Performance
 Directing
Conventions of Forms and Styles
Realism
 The Fourth wall
 Realistic set and costumes
 Breaking down the play
 Emotional and sensory recall
 Super objective
 “The magic if
Conditions:





Two weeks preparation time
4 – 6 minutes directing time
Actors will be chosen at random on the day of assessment, 10-15 minutes to read through excerpt
Students must supply a highlighted, printed copy of the script for their scene to their actors
One draft permitted
Criteria:
The student work has the following characteristics:
 management of elements of drama to create dramatic action.
 use of a range of conventions of forms and styles, and skills of drama to shape dramatic
action.
 synthesis of the dramatic languages, purposes and contexts to create dramatic action
and meaning.
OVERALL GRADE
SENIOR DRAMA
Aldridge State High School
YEAR 11 – SEMESTER 1, TERM 2
Task 4 - Directing workshop and supporting folio – FORMING / Individual
Criteria
A
The student work has the
following characteristics:
B
C
D
The student work has the
following characteristics:
The student work has the
following characteristics:
The student work has the
following characteristics:

skilful management of
elements of drama to
create dramatic action.
 management of
elements of
drama to create dramatic
action.
 partial management of
aspects of elements of
drama to make dramatic
action.

skilful use of a range of
conventions of forms
and styles, and skills of
drama to shape
dramatic action.
 use of a range of
conventions of forms and
styles, and skills of
drama to shape dramatic
action.
 partial use of
conventions of forms and
styles, and skills of
drama to make dramatic
action.
E
The student work has the
following characteristics:
See task sheet
FINAL GRADE:

perceptive and skilful
management of
elements of drama to
create dramatic action.

perceptive and skilful
use of a range of
conventions of forms
and styles, and skills of
drama to shape
dramatic action.

insightful and skilful
synthesis of the
dramatic languages,
purposes and contexts
to create dramatic
action and meaning.

skilful synthesis of the
dramatic languages,
purposes and contexts
to create dramatic
action and meaning.
 synthesis of the dramatic
languages, purposes and
contexts to create
dramatic
action and meaning.
Teachers Comment:
Teacher's Signature:
Date:
 partial use of purposes
and contexts to make
dramatic action and
superficial meaning.

partial use of aspects
of elements of drama
to make dramatic
action.

partial use of aspects
of conventions of forms
and styles, and skills of
drama to make
dramatic action.

partial use of aspects
of purposes and
contexts to make
dramatic action.
SENIOR DRAMA
Aldridge State High School
YEAR 11 – SEMESTER 1, TERM 2