In Drama we teach the following courses:
Stage 4 Drama: Years 7 Mandatory Year 7 students have four 72 minute periods of Drama per fortnight for one semester each year.
The program for Stage 4 Drama, is two-fold in its design as students are introduced to the Elements of Drama, through experiential and theoretical learning activities, as well as being introduced to basic performance skills, and theatrical styles (through a study of Shakespearean verse and Ancient Greek Drama). Students engage in practical workshops, facilitated by the teacher to promote problem solving, substantive communication and deep understanding of core Elements of Drama. They use group devising and playbuilding processes to create original performances, demonstrating their understanding of theatrical styles and traditions. The use of targeted Drama exercises and games also serves to develop socialisation and performance skills including confidence, team collaboration, listening skills, playbuiding, improvisational skills and empathy among many others.
Stage 5 Drama:Years 9 & 10 Elective Year 9 & 10 students have four 72 minute periods of Drama per fortnight for the year.
In Stage 5 Drama students continue their exploration and experiential understanding of key Elements of Drama as they engage in group and individual performance opportunities. Each unit of work is linked to a specific theatrical practitioner or tradition, as students develop their deep knowledge and understanding of Drama as a performing art, as well as honing their interpersonal, collaborative, problem solving and substantive communication skills. Students study practitioners and theatrical styles including Stanislavski Realism, Laban, Mask Theatre, Brecht and Epic Theatre in Year 9. In Year 10 students continue to make links between significant theatrical styles and the world around them. Through playbuilding, group devising processes, script units, comedy and political theatre such as Theatre of the Absurd, Theatre of the Oppressed and Playback Improvisational Storytelling, students are exposed to a wide range of performance traditions and styles. They develop their academic and experiential understanding of live theatre as performers, directors and audience members. Students also develop critical analysis skills in extended writing tasks and attend live performances.
Stage 6 Drama:Years 11 Preliminary & 12 HSC Elective Year 11 & 12 students have six 72 minute periods of Drama per fortnight for the year.
Stage 6 Drama is an intensive and rigorous course, covering analytic, theoretical and performative components of the subject. Preliminary HSC gives students the opportunity to explore and develop their performance, directing, design and group devising processes, equipping them with the skills, discipline and deep knowledge and understanding of theatrical styles and traditions required for the HSC. In the HSC Drama course, students study a range of texts, through experiential learning processes, as they analye texts through directorial, designer and performative workshops. Students demonstrate critical analysis and research skills in the prescribed areas of Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice and Theatrical Styles and Traditions. Each student also completes an Independent Project ranging from Performance, Design, Critical Analysis, Scriptwriting. In addition, all students are provided with group devising and performative opportunities in the Group Performance component of the course.
Students are exposed to a wide range of performance opportunities engaging in excursions such as theatre trips, the OnStage productions, professional workshops, and playreadings, which assist them in their development of deep understanding and critical analysis skills in approaching theatre and performance.
Extra-curricular activities and Performing Opportunities
Students are encouraged to participate in the School Concerts and other performing opportunities that are organised for them each year. Performance opportunities vary each year. Some of the external performances include the The Multicultural Playwright's Program and Fast +Fresh (Riverside Theatre). MGHS Drama students were also invited to perform at the State Drama Festival in 2012.
Drama
A Year 8 Drama Club is run for all Year 8 students at lunchtime, in addition to a cross year MGHS Theatre Sports Company (with students from Years 8-11).
The two main drama concerts which provide a strong performance platform for MGHS students is Drama Under the Stars (an outdoor concert in the Rose Garden during Term 1) and The Drama Feast (in Term 4).