Topic 1 Year 9 Performing Arts - Drama

Performing Arts - Drama
Topic		Exploring and Performing Playtexts
No of lessons
When is it happening		Term 1 Year 9
What will students learn		Students will study a play gaining knowledge of the playwright’s intentions, context, style and analysis of characters in order to perform key scenes. Students will practically explore the themes and work with sections of the text as an actor would with the aim of creating naturalistic characters which demonstrate depth and purpose.
Key Knowledge that students should know at the end of 'Topic'	This is the knowledge that students will meet for the first time in this topic	Students will learn about why the playwright adapted the story of Noughts & Crosses and how the story is relevant today. Students will explore the playwright’s intentions and the social/ historical features of the play. They will also explore the key themes of the piece and be asked how these link to current day and past experiences within history. Students will learn about how an actor prepares for a character role - through exploration of motivations and subtext.
	This is knowledge that students may have met before but will need to deepen their understanding	Genre and style - Non Naturalistic features such as breaking the fourth wall, direct address, simplistic lighting and set and Naturalistic features - dialogue, characters that feel real and you connect with emotionally.
Key Skills that students should be able to demonstrate at the end of 'Topic'	This is the skills that students will meet for the first time in this topic	Working with a script - identifying character motivations and subtext before performing a scene. Hot seating characters to develop characterisation and connection with character roles.
	This is skills that students may have met before but will need to develop	Students will prepare a duologue scene which demonstrates understanding of relationships and characters that have been developed through naturalistic exploration.
Key vocabulary that students should know and understand		Intentions, Segregation, Discrimination, Blocking, Duologue, Montage.
The Big Question		How does the play that we are studying link to the world that we live in?
Key questions that students should be able to answer at the end of the 'Topic'		What are some of the key themes within the play?
		How is segregation and discrimination shown within the play?
		How is status shown?
		What is a split scene used for?
		What is subtext?
		Why do we use hot seating?
		How do actors approach working with a text in preparation for performance?
		How do we refine and polish a scene?