Drama

This course aims to open up the imaginative and analytical side of the students through two large units. The first analyses dreams and the subconscious, and the way they impact on us in our understanding of ourselves and the way we think. The second explores current and relevant social and political issues through the form of documentary drama using the performance conventions of Bertolt Brecht.

COURSE CONTENT

Dreams and the Subconscious

Students explore the impact of thoughts, beliefs and their identity by their understanding of the world and its issues through key questions: • Are nightmares and dreams the same thing? • Where do dreams come from? • How and why do we share similar ideas in our dreams?

The students develop a theatre piece built around their acquired (and developing) performance skills.

Documentary Drama • Students examine and analyse a current social or political issue that they can develop into a performance using Brechtian-staging conventions.

The Theatre of Brecht – Written

• The depth of the performance work on documentary drama is consolidated and expanded through a research paper that explores the history and context of the theatre practitioner (Bertolt Brecht). • This exploration can underpin both of the performance units (above) in terms of uncovering non-naturalistic performance conventions that will give the students a 'tool kit' for expressing ideas using dramatic form and analysing the impact of the work they develop.

ASSESSMENT

Students will prepare a performance that incorporates a written component. Student assessment criteria incorporates grading for both individual and group work.