Westlake Boys High School Westlake Boys High School

Level 2 Drama & Theatre Arts

12DRA
Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Dr N. Brown.

Entry Criteria

This course is open entry for all students. Level 2 Drama is an open entry course, although a successful completion of Year 11 drama is preferred, and/or a clear involvement in extra-curricular drama inside or outside of school. 

Students must meet the requirements to study a Level 2 NCEA Award.


Level 2 Drama & Theatre Arts

At Level 2, Drama students study and perform Forum Theatre (during which they also write their own performance texts), Devise drama around contemporary issues, and perform Political Theatre. 

Students sit two examinations on Theatre Form, and on Live Theatre Performance. Students are also encouraged to attend live theatre, which may be out of school hours.


Course Overview

Term 1
In Term 1, students will participate as an actor, performing a scene or monologue from Shakespeare. The unit of work (AS2.4) is mostly performative and is worth four credits. There is a modest written workbook also to complete.

Term 2
In Term 2, students will participate as an actor and a writer, creating a Forum Theatre text based upon the narratives from "The Humans of New York". The unit of work is a combination of two standards, acting and writing (AS2.1 and AS2.8), is mostly performative and is worth up to eight credits. There is a modest written workbook also to complete.

Term 3
In Term 3, students will participate as an actor and devisor, creating a Political Theatre performance, based upon the theories of Bertolt Brecht. The unit of work (AS2.2) is mostly performative and is worth four credits. There is a modest written workbook also to complete.

Term 4
In Term 4, students will dedicate themselves to Examination Preparation, ahead of the NCEA Drama Examinations in November. Each exam is worth four credits: AS2.3 on a Form or Period of Drama and AS2.7 on Live Theatre.

Learning Areas:

Drama, Year 12 Visual and Performing Arts


Detailed Course Outline
Pathway

Level 3 Drama & Theatre Arts

Actor; director; writer; producer; TV presenter; teacher; lecturer; dramaturg-researcher


Equipment/Stationery and Course Costs

This course makes significant use of digital learning material at various times during the year. It is advantageous for a student to have a laptop during these times. Some learning activities, including assessments, will not be able to be completed without a laptop.


Disclaimer

Course selection does not guarantee a course will be available or that you have approval to take a course. Final course confirmation is in January and depends on your final results and in rare cases, staff availability.