7.3 Introduction to Drama

Trips to MacDonalds, gaol breaks, car accidents, terrible parenting, kidnappings, burglaries, people rising from the dead – it’s all been happening in Grade 7 Drama! But don’t be alarmed, all of these events have come from the creative minds of the students in 7.3! Throughout the year each of the Grade 7 classes have the opportunity to study Drama. In this introductory course, the students learn about the Elements of Drama and how they can be used to create performances that both entertain and convey ideas. 7.3 are now partway through their course and have just begun work on one of their final assessments, where they have to create characters that they then have to put into a scene. I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with!

8 & 9/10 Full Year Drama

Students in grades 8-10 Drama are currently working towards their first major performance assessment, and for many, this means presenting two pieces in the upcoming Launceston Competitions.

Students in both classes are rehearsing a whole class speaking presentation, where they must recite a piece of poetry and section of prose as a class. It has been really interesting seeing these pieces develop, especially as the students become more confident taking on a directorial role, suggesting and experimenting with different performance ideas.

In addition to the whole class pieces, the 8s and 9/10s are also developing small group presentations. For the 9/10s this involves building a play from scratch, while the 8s are focussing on interpreting and presenting a scripted scene.

Next term we will be full steam ahead preparing to present in the Launceston Competitions!

Grade 8 Playbuilding

Last year the PHS Grade 8 Playbuilding class devised a play that was shared with students from our local primary schools. Incorporating comedy, dance, serious scenes and information, the play explored issues and concerns that many students face as they transition from primary to high school. In 2021 the grade 8 Playbuilding class are set to do it again! Throughout this term, the class has been busy developing content for a whole new play. The script is coming together well with only a few scenes left to add. In Term 4, when we come back together, we will begin full-on rehearsals of our finished script. Developing a full-length play from scratch is not an easy process and the class deserves a big ‘well done’ for their work so far!

Mrs Viney