The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts,
but is also the return of art to life.
Oscar Wilde  (1854-1900) Irish poet and dramatist

The beauty of creativity in our lives is immeasurable. A young person views their world, they want to make sense of it all, ask questions, explore issues and understand people. The Drama Department encourages the exploration of life with all its highs and lows. At all times it is about people’s stories and the sharing of our creative talents with each other as we celebrate the beauty of our lives together.

By studying this major art form students acquire skills in interpretation, communication, performance and critical analysis and become aware of the technical processes and technologies that may be used to heighten dramatic presentation. In the critical study of drama and theatre students can recognise the collaborative contribution of actors, directors, playwrights, designers and technicians to production. They develop an understanding of the cultural traditions and social contexts of drama and theatre.

In the 7–10 syllabus students study:
•      Improvisation and Playbuilding
•      Dramatic Forms
•      The Reading and Writing of Scripts as Texts for Performance
•      Performance Spaces and Conventions of Theatre
•      Technical Aspects of Production
•      Experience of Dramatic Presentations
•      Discussion, Reading and Writing about Drama and Theatre.

In the 11–12 syllabus students study:
•      Improvisation, Playbuilding, Acting
•      Elements of Production
•      Theatrical Traditions and Performance Styles
•      Australian Drama and Theatre
•      Studies in Drama and Theatre
•      Group Performance
•      Individual Project   

The Drama Department promotes creativity, encourages inventiveness, confidence and endorses a collaborative working ethic. It is the aim of the department to establish excellence in learning the craft of acting, the techniques of performance and a variety of Drama theories.

Ms Nicole Ellis-Windsor
Drama Coordinator        

Drama Cerdon College course content:

• Improvisation
• Theatresports
• Playbuilding
• Commedia dell Arte`
• Australian Play Study
• Text Analysis
• Acting for the Film
• Physical Theatre
• Theatre Excursions

   Drama Cerdon College course content:

• Improvisation
• Playbuilding
• Stanislavski Method Acting
• Monologue performance
• Artaud Theory
• Cabaret Performance: playbuilt scenes
• Australian Play Study
• Text Analysis
• Theatre Excursions
• Presentation Night Performance

Preliminary

Drama Cerdon College course content:

Performance Presentation based on the theories of a variety of practitioners:

Brecht, Grotowski, Beckett and Brook

• Major Play Production: character development and the elements of production
• Cabaret Performance: playbuilt scenes
• OnSTAGE Excursion: to view the best HSC Group and Monologue performances

HSC Drama Cerdon College course content: students explore themes, issues and the historical, social, cultural and political contexts of theatre genres through written and practical exercises.

• Dramatic Traditions in Australian Drama
• American Drama
• Group Project: the students improvise and invent creative performances utilizing a variety of different devices to tell their story. Performances are a combination of humours anecdotes, political messages with personal issues dealt with in a comical way.
• The Individual Project is a challenging unit which demands self initiative and longevity. The students work on one of the following: Performance (Monologue), Director’s Folio, Design (Set, Costume, Lighting, Publicity) Scriptwriting, Critical Analysis or Video Drama.

HSC Group and Monologue Performance Night for parents and friends

• OnSTAGE Excursion: to view the best HSC Group and Monologue performances