Unit 1 - Area of Study 4: Analysing a professional drama performance

Outcome 4

Analyse the presentation of ideas, stories and characters in a drama performance by professional or other drama practitioners.

Examples of lear​ning activities

• Prior to attending a performance, if a script is available, read the script and/or teachers notes.
  
• Discuss the characters, setting and themes in the performance.
  
• Examine the dramatic elements (where there might be moments of conflict, tension or climax etc.). Identify any production areas on which the play relies.
• Discuss the performance style(s) of the play.
• Research other relevant performance styles or practitioners, such as Brechtian techniques, Comedy of Manners, Absurdism, Magical realism, etc.
• Become familiar with the following drama terminology. Use a separate page for each of the areas and make notes prior, during (if appropriate), at the interval and after the performance.
  
  • Application of symbol
  • Transformation techniques (for character, time, place)
  • Expressive skills and performance skills
  • Dramatic elements
  • Production areas
  • Conventions
  • Performance styles
  • Actor-audience relationship.
• 
  ​​Respond to a series of short questions based on the areas outlined above. This is an open book task and hand-written notes can be used when responding to the questions.
  

 

​​Detailed example

Responding to a series of questions

Students use their notes and other documentation to respond to the following questions:

• Describe how two expressive skills were used by one actor in the performance.
• Performance skills: Describe how one actor used one of the following performance skills to portray a character: focus, energy, timing, actor-audience relationship.
• Analyse how the actor-audience relationship was manipulated in the performance. (Link to performance styles.)
• Analyse how the convention of application of symbol was used throughout the performance.
• Evaluate how the conventions transformation of character and time and place were used effectively throughout the performance.
• Describe how two production areas were used to enhance the performance style.
• Select two dramatic elements and evaluate how they were used through the performance.
• Analyse the way in which the performance style(s) were manipulated in the performance.