Overview of subject
The junior
Drama curriculum is fun and exciting and is designed to expose students to the world
of Theatre and the Arts. The subject area aims to broaden student’s
understanding of the world and its perspectives through the art of performance.
Students will explore the elements of drama through a range of engaging
practical activities and challenging theatrical styles. The subject will help
build students’ capacity with 21st century skills including
creativity and innovation; critical thinking and problem solving; and
communication and teamwork – all necessary skills for success in an
ever-changing world.
Junior Curriculum
Students
learn about the world of theatre and learn the art of performance through a
range of dramatic styles. Our junior curriculum is very practical and highly
challenging, teaching students the skills of acting, scriptwriting,
improvisation, and critical analysis. Units include clowning and comedy,
playbuilding, improvisation, as well as performance and production. Extension
opportunities exist through co-curricular and extra-curricular productions both
onstage and behind the scenes.
Senior Curriculum
Drama
Senior Drama
investigates the stories, experiences, emotions and ideas that reflect the
human experience. It allows students to look to the past with curiosity, and
explore inherited traditions of artistry to inform their own artistic practice
and shape their world as global citizens. There are two senior strands: Drama
(general) and Drama in Practice (applied).
Drama
(general) is a highly challenging and practical academic subject which aims to
broaden and deepen student’s understanding of theatre and the arts through
historical, cultural, political and sociological lenses. Through the inquiry
process, students will study a range of dramatic styles and examine their
impact on philosophy, politics and culture.
Drama in
Practice (applied) takes a more hands-on approach, allowing students to
experience the various areas of theatre practices and making strong industry
links. Whilst acting is the core of this subject, the subject exposes students
to careers in a variety of arts and theatre-based careers including directing,
stage management, scriptwriting, filmmaking and event management.
Dance
Overview of
subject
In Dance,
students:
build on their awareness
of the body and how it is used in particular dance styles.
extend their
understanding and use space, time, dynamics and relationships to expand
their choreographic intentions.
extend the combinations
of fundamental movement skills to include dance style-specific movement
skills.
extend technical skills
from the previous band, increasing their confidence, accuracy, clarity of
movement and projection.
draw on dances from a
range of cultures, times and locations as they experience dance.
explore the dance and
influences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those of
the Asia region.
reflect on the development
of traditional and contemporary styles of dance and how choreographers can
be identified through the style of their choreography.
learn about
sustainability through the arts and sustainability of practices in the
arts.
explore meaning and
interpretation, forms and elements, and social, cultural and historical
contexts of dance as they make and respond to dance.
evaluate dancers’ success
in expressing the choreographers’ intentions and the use of expressive
skills in dances they view and perform.
understand that safe
dance practices underlie all experiences in the study of dance.
perform within their own
body capabilities and work safely in groups.
Junior
Curriculum
Year 8 Dance
This 5 week unit is designed to expose students to different
styles of dance. Year 8 Dance is a foundation subject where students learn
about the elements of dance; they focus strongly on performance.
Year 9 Dance
Year 9 Dance is a subject in which students experience the genres
of Classical Ballet and Contemporary dance focussing on the technique and
dynamics of the genres. They also experience
the genres of folk/cultural dance, popular dance, Jazz and Tap.
Senior
Curriculum
Year 10 Dance
Year 10 Dance is a
unit in which students will be introduced to the different genres of Musical
Theatre. They will also be introduced to Contemporary dance through exploration
of Australian choreographers and dance works. Students strongly focus on their
dance technique and create a deeper understanding for Contemporary dance
through their own choreography.
Year 11 and
12 Dance in Practice
Dance
in Practice is a two (2) year course of study.
In Dance in Practice, students create,
perform and produce dance works in class, school and community contexts. This
involves the integration of knowledge of the world with experience and
perception. To do this, students examine aesthetic codes and symbol systems and
use their senses as a means of understanding and responding to their own and
others’ dance works. This fosters creativity, helps students develop
problem-solving skills, and heightens their imaginative, emotional, aesthetic,
analytical and reflective experiences.
Students explore and apply
techniques, processes and technologies individually and in groups
to express dance ideas that serve particular purposes. They gain practical
and technical skills, employ terminology specific to dance, investigate ways to
solve problems, and make choices to communicate through dance and about dance.
Through the physicality of dance and the use of their bodies as a medium for
artistic expression, students experience a sense of enjoyment and personal
achievement.
There are many roles for dance practitioners
in dance industries, including choreographer, performer, designer, technician
and producer. A course of study in Dance in Practice can establish a basis for
further education and employment in dance education, dance teaching,
choreography, performance and event production.
The core is the conceptual base
for the course of study and is what all students who undertake this subject
will have the opportunity to learn. The core of this subject consists of three
topics:
- ‘Dance performance’ — the knowledge,
understanding and skills necessary for an individual to perform in solo
and group performances. It also includes the performance of students as
teachers of dance for particular purposes and audiences, and healthy and safe
practices in dance
- ‘Dance production’ — the knowledge, understanding and
skills necessary to stage dance productions. It includes designing dance
performances and understanding choreography and the technical and design
skills used in dance productions
- ‘Dance literacies’ — the knowledge, understanding and
skills necessary for students to understand and critique dance works.
Extra
Curricula and other activities
Clontarf Beach State High Schools Dance
Department provides many opportunities for students to perform and compete. Our
Junior and Senior Dance Excellence Teams compete regularly throughout the year
at various Eisteddfods around South East Queensland. The Eisteddfod season runs
from approximately May to September. In recent years the teams have competed at
The Sunshine Coast Dance Eisteddfod, The Brisbane Dance Eisteddfod, Redcliffe
Dance Eisteddfod and Beenleigh Dance Eisteddfod. The teams also perform at
local events such as Dance Ed in the Spotlight and The Murrumba District Dance
Challenge which is hosted by our school.
All students of dance are invited to perform
at our annual Dance Night which is held every year in September showcasing work
from our Excellence teams, class dance and student choreography.