SENIOR DRAMA

Aldridge State High School

YEAR 12 – Semester 3, Term 2

Senior Drama
Theatre of the Absurd
Dimension 1: Forming (Individual)
Practical: Directing (Published Playtext)
Semester 1 – Task 10 - Forming
Name______
Drafts Due:
Due Date:

Context

DIRECTING

Task:
You are required to select an extract from an Absurd 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 Absurdism. This task will consist of a written Director’s Folio, and a live six – eight 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:
Waiting for Godot
Endgame
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Task A- Director’s Folio- Written Component
1. A 200-300 word directorial concept
2. Your chosen section of script, fully annotated including director’s intentions in the style of Absurd Theatre and stage directions. (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 (6-8 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. Copies of the scripts required (depending on the number of characters in your given scene). Parts must be highlighted, ready for the actors.
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
Absurdism
·  Gaps and silences
·  Humour
·  Spectacle
·  Gestures: inventive, fluid, disciplined
·  Movement: realistic and non-realistic, ritualistic, circus, commedia
·  Language: often illogical, repetitive, often stereotyped and clichéd.
Conditions:
·  Two weeks preparation time
·  6-8 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:
ü  management of elements of drama to create dramatic action.
ü  use of a range of conventions of forms and styles, and skills of drama to shape dramatic action.
ü  synthesis of the dramatic languages, purposes and contexts to create dramatic action and meaning. / OVERALL GRADE

SENIOR DRAMA

Aldridge State High School

YEAR 12 – Semester 3, Term 2

Task 10 - Directing workshop and supporting folio – FORMING / Individual

Criteria / A / B / C / D / E
See task sheet
/ The student work has the following characteristics:
·  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. / The student work has the following characteristics:
·  skilful management of elements of drama to create dramatic action.
·  skilful use of a range of conventions of forms and styles, and skills of drama to shape dramatic action.
·  skilful synthesis of the dramatic languages, purposes and contexts to create dramatic action and meaning. / 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. / The student work has the following characteristics:
·  partial management of
aspects of elements of drama to make dramatic action.
·  partial use of conventions of forms and styles, and skills of drama to make dramatic action.
·  partial use of purposes and contexts to make dramatic action and superficial meaning. / The student work has the following characteristics:
·  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.
Teachers Comment:
Teacher's Signature: Date: