Disciplines and areas of study
Theatre and drama
Program Coordinator: Professor Peta Tait/ Ms Meredith Rogers
The Theatre and Drama Program offers two introductory first year subjects and a range of second- and third year subjects.
Theatre and drama subjects include a variety of disciplinary approaches, some of which are theatre theory, performance, theatre history, dramatic literature, genre studies, public speaking and play criticism. There is opportunity for performance making and theatre production, and subjects include a component of practical work.
Theatre going is a part of all drama subjects and reviews of performances are part of the required written work.
Block bookings are sometimes arranged and accordingly prices are as low as possible. Further information about all aspects of theatre and drama subjects is available in theatre and drama course brochures obtainable from the program office.
Selection of students into the first year drama subject DRA1PBP
There is a quota on the size of each workshop group. Students are asked to speak to a member of the drama staff if they experience difficulties signing up on-line tutorials.
Quotas in later year subjects
All enrolments are subject to quota because of space limitations. Please see drama staff to enrol. Unless otherwise stated in the subject descriptions, quota places are determined in consultation with students in late October each year, with preference being given to students completing their degrees.
Performances
In DRA1PBP Process Based Performance and several other subjects, students are required to prepare, in small groups, selected scenes from plays or group-devised scripts for performance to, and subsequent discussion with, other students taking the subject. Students can contribute to them in non-performing capacities if they wish. Performances are a required part of the class work. It is normally necessary for students to attend on one or more evenings or weekend days during the semester for the presentations. Precise information will be given at the beginning of each subject.
Assessment
Assessment in theatre and drama maintains a balance between the reflective and practical aspects of the discipline. Students must complete the written work component but the balance between a range of assessment tasks varies from one subject to another. In seminar/workshop subjects written tasks will normally occupy a greater proportion of the assessment tasks than workshop presentations and exercises, while in production and performance subjects this is reversed.
Attendance at workshops and seminars is required. Repeated absences from workshops without acceptable reasons can result in failure. There is always provision for special consideration and for consultation over the assessment of individual students.
Programs of study
Drama Major
To complete a major in drama students must complete:
- a drama core subject at each year level of their degree.
- 30 credit points at first year level,
- 40 credit points at second-year level and
- at least 60 credit points at third year level of subjects from the list below.
Students majoring in theatre and drama will normally need to take a combination of reflective academic and practical subjects.
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Theatre Knowledges and Practice | DRA1TKP |
| Second year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Modern Drama and Acting Identity | DRA2MOA |
| Third year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Australian Drama from 1955 to the Present Day | DRA3AUD |
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Theatre Knowledges and Practice | DRA1TKP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Process Based Performance | DRA1PBP |
| Second year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Modern Drama and Acting Identity | DRA2MOA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Performance Making | DRA2PEM |
| Second or third year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Australian Drama from 1955 to the Present Day | DRA2AUD/DRA3AUD |
| TE-SEM-1 | Persuasion and Public Speech | DRA2PPS/DRA3PPS |
| TE-SEM-1 | Theatre Production | DRA2TPR/DRA3TPR |
| TE-SEM-1 | Theatre Spaces and Stages: architecture, production and Community | DRA2TSS/DRA3TSS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Shakespeare in Performance | DRA2SIP/DRA3SIP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Writing, Internet, Performance | DRA2WIP/DRA3WIP |
| Third year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Reading Course A | DRA3RCA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Performance Making | DRA3APM |
| TE-SEM-2 | Drama Project: group production or individual research | DRA3PRO |
| TE-SEM-2 | Reading Course B | DRA3RCB |
| Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|
| Second or third year subjects (20 credit points) | |
| Intercultural Performance | DRA2IPF/DRA3IPF |
| Theatre and Theory | DRA2TAT/DRA3TAT |
Honours
Students are admitted into the honours program based on the completion of requirements for a major in Theatre and Drama. There are two options in the honours program:
- (a) two coursework subjects and a dissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words, and
- (b) two coursework subjects and a studio performance/dissertation of 8000 words.
Interested students are encouraged to consult the coordinator. A pamphlet offering a detailed description of the honours course is available from the program office.