Introduction to Yr Twelve Drama: Political Theatre

1. Introduction to Yr Twelve Drama: Political Theatre

2. Rationale for the Unit • Political Theatre is about harnessing the power of theatre to bring about social change and awareness. • This unit aims to empower you as dramatic artists by: Introducing you to the theories and work of heritage and contemporary practitioners. Introducing you to Political Theatre Conventions and Techniques, and the incorporation of multi-media into performance. Giving you the opportunity to put this into practice by responding to a socio-political issue of concern or interest to you in a Forming Task.

3. Key Heritage Practitioners: • Bertolt Brecht: We will be studying Bertolt Brecht’s play Mother Courage which will frame our learning of Brechtian/Epic Theatre Conventions. • Augusto Boal: We will be learning about Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed and Image Theatre by working through Boalian exercises as a warm-up at the beginning of each class. • Studying these heritage practitioners will give you an understanding of the acting techniques and Political Theatre conventions that you will use in your Forming Task.

4. Key Contemporary Practitioners: • Sarah Jones: We will be studying how Sarah Jones uses the Political Theatre convention of multiple role taking to communicate a message of connectedness. • Anna Yen: We will be studying Anna Yen’s Chinese Take Away to understand her use of Political Theatre conventions and the format of the One-Person Show. • Natasha Tsakos: We will be studying how Natasha Tsakos uses multi-media to blend technology and performance to engage a new generation. • Studying these contemporary practitioners will give you an understanding of how Political Theatre continues to impact the work of dramatic artists today and inspire you in the creation of your Forming Task.

5. Timeline of the Unit • Week One: Orientation: Introduction to History and Theory of Political Theatre, and Brechtian/Epic Theatre • Week Two: Reading of Mother Courage with Brechtian/Epic Theatre Activities • Week Three: Sarah Jones and Anna Yen Activities • Week Four: Incorporating Multi-media into performance – Natasha Tsakos • Week Five: Reflection and Preparation for Forming Task (Reflective Learning Videos) • Week Six: Rehearsal – Draft of Forming Task Due (Individual Consultation with Drama Journal Wiki) • Week Seven: Rehearsal – Task Due end of Week Seven (Word processed annotated script) • Week Eight: Performances

6. Your Assessment • Individual Practical Forming Task • You will create a 4-6 min performance presenting a dramatic statement in response to a socio-political issue that interests or concerns you. • You will draw upon our work in class and the themes within Brecht’s play Mother Courage. • You will have the opportunity to incorporate multi-media into your performance.

7. Our Wiki Page • For this unit, our class will use a Wiki Page where information and links about our work in class will be posted, and you will be able to discuss and share postings and reflections in response to in-class activities. • Our web address is: http://yrtwelvedramapoliticaltheatre.wikispaces.com/home

8. Creating your Drama Journal Wiki • You will create your own Wiki page functioning as an online Drama Journal – a place to collect resources and links (those we have used in class and those you find), reflect on our work in class and plan your Forming Task. • Instructions to create your Drama Journal Wiki can be found on our Yr Twelve Drama Political Theatre Wiki Page.