Download Skills used in the Investigative Drama Unit

INVESTIGATIVE DRAMA UNIT
In this unit you will be devising and performing a presentation on a chosen
issue, topic or theme. The instrument of assessment is a written evaluation
which you will complete after your group’s final presentation. You must accept
individual responsibility for part of the group’s presentation as a writer and
director. It is generally accepted that being a director involves higher order
skills. To take responsibility for the creative elements of a piece of theatre is a
huge challenge.
This unit will assist you in understanding:
 the need for experimentation through rehearsal
 the importance of dramatic form and structure
 a textual stimulus and the issues it raises
 the importance of giving clear instructions regarding moves and
important voice comments for actors - this would also aid dramatic
commentary tasks
 the use of staging, sets, props and costume to achieve appropriate
audience response
 the process of evaluating the finished product
Devising Own Piece Of Theatre
Produce an original piece of theatre that can stand on its own lasting
between five and thirty minutes. This involves:
 Creating a piece of theatre using at least three source materials
 Experimentation and improvisation
 Briefing the actors
 Explaining the plot, style and genre of the piece
 Discussing the subtext, the characters and the dramatic intention
 Preparing a script
Rehearsal
This involves directing the piece of theatre and taking on board:
 Time management
 Its progression from page to
stage
 Actors’ reaction to the piece
 Staging
 Shaping, structuring and use
 Design factors
of theatrical devices
 Use of theatre arts
Performance
 Judging the end result
 Assessing the reaction of the audience
Evaluation
 Did it go as expected?
 Strengths and weaknesses
What changed?
Investigative Drama Assessment Outcomes and Performance Criteria
These notes are to help you understand what you are being assessed on and
how you are being assessed. These terms will be used:
 Outcomes – these statements describe what you should be able to do
by the end of the unit
 Performance criteria – these statements describe clearly and in detail
what you should be able to do and the standard, which you have to
reach. You must demonstrate achievement of all the performance
criteria to pass the unit
 Instrument of assessment – this is the means by which the evidence is
gathered to show that you have met the standards of the performance
criteria.
Outcome 1:
Take responsibility for an identifiable section of the presentation.
PCs
a) Selects ideas for form and content with justification in terms of potential
dramatic impact.
b) Uses drama form and structure appropriate to the interpretation of the
section.
c) Selects design and technical concepts appropriate to the interpretation of
the section.
d) Prepares effectively for each rehearsal of own identified section.
e) Evaluates the effectiveness of each rehearsal of own section
Outcome 2:
Contribute to presentation process and final presentation.
PCs
a) States ideas and opinions within group discussion, which are relevant
and useful to planning, organisation and ongoing evaluation of the
presentation process.
b) Directs own section effectively in terms of communicating clearly with
the actors and developing suitable stage positions/moves, delivery of
lines and characterisation.
c) Participates positively in the other sections in terms of taking direction
and experimenting with dramatic ideas.
d) Portrays acting role(s) convincingly.
Outcome 3:
Evaluate the effectiveness of the final presentation.
PCs
a) Comments with justification on the impact of the performance on the
audience.
b) Evaluate the effectiveness in performance of the group’s overall choice
of drama form (s), structure, staging, design and use of technical effects.
c) Evaluates own contribution to performance in terms of acting role(s)
and directorial section.
d) Evaluate the contribution of others to the performance in terms of
acting and the implementation of technical skills.
Skills used in the Investigative Drama Unit
Language
In drama, language normally means spoken language (or other appropriate
mode of communication) in use in a variety of interactive situations, real or
imagined. It also involves some written language, for example, in the form of
devising a script or scenario or creating role cards. A variety of activities in
Investigative Drama will give candidates opportunities to generate their own
language in situations of improvisation or rehearsals.
At Higher, candidates should be aware of the importance of selecting language
which is appropriate to purpose. The purpose may be a dramatic one, for
example, when improvising language to suit a character or situation, or when
writing a script, or may be in the context of group discussion, planning and
organisation. Language should be used effectively, to communicate the desired
message or meaning within a range of dramatic and non-dramatic situations.
Movement
In drama terms, movement means all forms of physical expression which do
not involve the voice. Movement is used in a variety of ways in order to
explore, express and communicate ideas, emotions and relationships. Like
language, movement can be either improvised or rehearsed. Improvised
movement provides opportunities for personal response to a given stimulus
while rehearsed movement may develop candidates’ own ideas or involve more
stylised forms of dramatic movement such as mime or dance drama.
Theatre
In the Investigative Drama unit, theatre should be considered in the context of
the formal presentation of the exploration of relationships. This will involve
the performance skills of acting and directing and, as appropriate, the technical
skills of designing within the areas of set, lighting, sound, costume, stage makeup and props.
Knowledge and understanding
Candidates will acquire knowledge and understanding of the following:
 function of role play
 drama form and structure
 the communication of meaning to an audience through performance and
design concepts
 drama and theatre terminology.
Skills
Candidates should use the following broad skills:
 co-operating and participating
 investigating
 improvising
 devising
 designing
 directing
 acting
 evaluating.
Supported self-study
This may involve:
 research on one or more issues, topics or themes
 devising of section for which student will take individual directorial
responsibility
 planning and preparation for rehearsals of section
 evaluation of rehearsals of own section
 learning lines and/or moves for the sections in which the student is
acting
 liaison with another director
 rehearsing with one or more actors
 evaluation of a theatre visit or visiting theatre practitioner.
Theatre visits in relation to Investigative Drama
All theatre visits are valuable to this unit in terms of:
 a range of theatre technology in practice which will inform the students’
hypothetical staging of the prescribed text.
Home assignments may take the form of:
 research
 preparation for own directorial section
 learning lines and/or moves for sections of other student directors
 evaluation of a theatre visit