Introduction to Performance Skills

Unit Description

This unit aims to introduce students to elementary performance techniques through the context of real and imagined situations. Students will explore a variety of scripted texts and are required to select and develop a scenario, transforming it into a small group improvisation.

Course Content

· Exploration of the elements of drama, in particular place, role, language, space, movement, relationships, time and tension

· Movement – body language to communicate character

· Voice – expression and projection to communicate dramatic meaning

· Accepting roles

· Whole and small group role-play

· Creating roles from given situations, simple props and costumes

· Narrative building

· Extended role-play

· Improvisation

· Student devised scenarios

Small group improvisation (forming) written short response (responding)

Mask & Ritual

Students will be introduced to the conventions of ritual and symbolic movement, engaging with contemporary and heritage examples to develop a strong understanding of the importance for celebrating, reflecting or marking important people, places and events. Elements of dance and drama will be further developed through practical exploration of movement and vocal techniques.

· Exploration of the elements of drama, in particular space, movement, focus, mood, symbol and contrast

· Narrative building

· Movement building within a given context, developing group unity and communicating situations.

·Movement – levels, shape, direction, symmetry & asymmetry, focus to create meaning

· Time – duration, kinesthetic response and tempo

· Cannon, motifs, variation, climax and contrast

· Exploration of a range of rituals from various countries to examine the use of movement and symbols to create meaning.

· Application of performance skills to engage a target audience

Small group performance (presenting)

Unit Description

Through the exploration of a number of films and film clips, students will be introduced to different styles of dance such as hip hop, ballet, bollywood, musical theatre and contemporary. Students will have to opportunity to experiment with these styles and their potential to support and heighten a narrative and communicate emotion.

Course Content

· Dance components: knowledge of actions, alignment of actions, clarity and control of movement, application of dynamics to performance, spatial awareness and commitment to rehearsal.

· Dance within the popular culture

· Films: Save the Last Dance, Stomp the Yard, Centrestage and Singing in the Rain

· Time – duration, kinesthetic response and tempo

· Cannon, motifs, variation, climax and contrast

· Application of performance skills to engage a target audience

· Learning choreography

· Producing choreography

Small group performance (Performance)

Written appreciation task

Unit Description

This unit aims to extend student’s skills in devising and apply previously explored techniques of performance and selected elements of drama to open scripts and improvisational situations. Students will work collaboratively to create devised scenarios, developing their skills in theatre sports and culminating in a group theatre sports competition.

Course Content

· Exploration of the elements of drama, in particular role, relationship, situation, language, movement, focus, tension and contrast

· Creating dramatic action from given circumstances

· Sequencing dramatic action

· Offering dramatic action

· Improvisation

· Student devised scenarios

· Characterisation – maintaining role

· Movement – manipulate body language and space to suit role, relationship and situation

· Voice – expression, pitch and projection to communicate dramatic meaning

· Application of performance skills to engage a target audience

Small group improvisation (forming) and written short response (responding)

“Dance In Another Dimension”

Dance and Technology

Unit Description

In this unit students will study the use of dance in popular culture focusing on the artistic and social function of the dance styles of Funk, Hip Hop and R ‘n’ B. In particular, students will explore and discuss the application of dance to film clips and films. Students will undertake research and analysis of popular dance and technology in its context, while learning and exploring the dance styles of Funk, Hip Hop and R’n’B.

Course Content

• Practice safe dance by analysingthe importance of warming up
• Exploration of modern themes integratingtechnology to enhance communication
• Small group choreography manipulationworkshops
• Practical workshops in popular dance
• In depth study of the use of dance within themedia

• Exploration of performance elements that arerelevant to the popular dance style- body position, arm position, steps,movement quality and musicality.
• Guest artist to take a class with currentfunk dance movements.
• Build on performance skills through rehearsalof dances
• Examine the use of non movement components ina dance and how they influence the work as a whole.

Small group hip hop routine choreographed by an industry professional (performance)

“Poetry and Motion”

Contemporary Dance

In this unit students will expand their knowledge of contemporary dance by creating, performing and appreciating dance that reflects ideas about themselves and the social and cultural contexts they experience. This knowledge will be gained by participating in technique classes and analyzing professional contemporary dance repertoire. Students are encouraged to create their own contemporary movements utilizing poetry and pictures as stimulus.

• Practice safe dance by analysingthe importance of warming up

• Small group choreography manipulationworkshops
• Learn adapted contemporary repertoire
• Practical workshops in contemporary dance
• Build on choreographic skills throughimprovisation
• Exploration of performance elements that arerelevant to the contemporary dance style- body position, arm position,steps, movement quality and musicality.

• Use song lyrics, poetry, stories, text.Pictures and personal experiences to stimulate movement ideas
• Development of motifs to communicate themes
• Exploration of movement qualities
• Analysis of components in contemporary videosto enhance themes or stories.
• Students keep a reflection diary about theirprogress with contemporary dance technique
• Exploration of literal and abstract formthrough spatial patterns, dynamic elements and non movement components.

Small group contemporary dance based around a theme (choreography)

Individual research essay in the form of a feature article (appreciation)

“And All That Jazz”

Unit Description

Students will explore the historical development of jazz dance and it’s place in social and cultural contexts. Students will be exposed to a number of jazz dance styles through practical classes and video footage, while identifying places and events where the different forms of jazz dance emerged. Students will perform different styles of jazz dance taught in class and choreograph their own work, drawing on stimulus material and techniques relating to styles of jazz dance.

Course Content

• Actively participate in a variety oftechnique classes covering a number of jazz dance styles.

• Manipulate teacher taught routines usingchoreographic elements
• Group work activities focusing on the use ofgroup formations and spatial patterns
• Group discussions and research on significantevents and how they affected people in each era
• View jazz dances on videos and develop anunderstanding of how the dance components have been altered to shapespecific jazz dance styles.

• Play with a variety of canons in groups andexamine the different outcomes which a sequence can produce
• Research the historical development of jazzdance via the internet
• Students identify places and events wherejazz dance occurs today through interviewing friends and family
• Learn specific jazz dances from various erasand alter dance elements to reflect a different style of jazz dance.
• Compareand contrast jazz dances considering cultural and historical influences

Small group teacher devised jazz dance (performance)

Small group jazz dance manipulating two different jazz styles (choreography)

“Strictly Ballroom”

Ballroom Dancing

Unit Description

Students will explore ballroom dance in a range of historical, social and cultural contexts. They will have a thorough understanding of the history of ballroom dance and apply this knowledge in both a social and artistic context. Students will be exposed to a number of ballroom dances through practical classes and video footage. They will be able to identify places and events where ballroom dances emerged. Students will perform ballroom dances taught in class and choreograph their own drawing on stimulus material and techniques relating to styles of popular dance.

Course Content

• Actively participate in a variety oftechnique classes covering a number of ballroom dances.
• Manipulate teacher taught routines usingchoreographic elements.
• Identify cultural and social contextualfactors that shaped ballroom dance by researching ballroom dance inAustralia over the past 100 years.
• Group discussions and research on significantevents and how they affected the development of ballroom dance.
• View ballroom dances on videos and develop anappreciation for them through dance analysis.

• Research the historical development ofballroom dance in both a sociological and artistic context via theinternet.
• Students identify places and events whereballroom dance occurs today through interviewing friends and family.
• Learn specific ballroom dances from variouscontexts.
• Compare and contrast ballroom dancesconsidering cultural and historical influences.

Individual research and analysis essay (appreciation)

Demonstrating knowledge and understanding to create dance

Applying skills developed in performance

Demonstrating knowledge & conceptual understanding

Written communication skills