In Stage Performance, students learn as performance artists aiming for industry standard, by making and interpreting a play, musical theatre or multimodal performance that communicates to audiences. They learn as audiences, by responding critically to stage performances. Students develop skills in appreciating, creating, performing, and producing stage performances independently and collaboratively for a range of contexts. Students learn as they engage with history of the stage performance genres, technical skills across disciplines, theories, and concepts, and become literate in the vocabularies and ideas of a range of styles and forms.

Students experiment and engage in calculated risks and accept setbacks when realising their artistic vision. Further they use the theories, concepts, vocabulary and learning to develop their own creative practice that explores self, life, and the world. Students learn to use their body and voice as an instrument to skilfully express knowledge and understanding. They develop proficiency, artistry, and use their physical literacy and performance literacy to solve problems, embody knowledge and express their understanding of issues of concern. They develop their voices as informed artists and engage with the world aesthetically and intellectually to become clear sighted about problems and empowered to propose solutions.

Students acquire ICT knowledge and skills for the development of modern, engaging, and impactful productions. They develop transferable and applied skills useful in any academic, professional, and vocational context, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, leadership, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. Stage performers become highly skilled at working with others and communicating clearly to achieve joint outcomes. They develop skills in research and self-reflection to engage with theories and ideas critically and creatively, in accordance with ethical practices. Students engage with contemporary spaces and resources to help them achieve their goals. They develop production skills and hone practices that present ideas and projects in ways that engage target audiences. Students develop empathetic awareness and skills in the practice of collaborating with others respectfully and apply Work Health and Safety standards.

The Stage Performance course is written under the BSSS ARTS Framework.

Through the study of the Arts, students learn to express their ideas, thoughts and opinions, as they discover and interpret an increasingly complex technological and interconnected world. The subjects in this Learning Area share common understandings and broad conceptual underpinnings and imperatives.

Creativity in Stage Performance

Students investigate creativity and examine a range of approaches to the creative process, including taking and giving direction. They think imaginatively and flexibly and develop skills to express their understanding of self, others, and the world in stage performances. Students examine stage practice of artists and performers and experiment during the development of their own creative piece in a stage performance. They creatively inquire into techniques and strategies to achieve their purpose and apply the creative process to create a performance. Students work collectively, collaboratively, and independently to examine the human experience and create new insights through performance.

Narratives in Stage Performance

Students investigate narrative forms and structures for stage performances. Through analysis of narrative in performances, students gain insights into how people connect and tell stories to, and about the world. They explore various presentations of narratives in stage performances and how performance artists communicate stories to inform, entertain and persuade. Students use their storytelling, theoretical, technical and stage craft skills to construct and present narratives in a stage performance.

Communicating in Stage Performance

Students examine how meaning is communicated in stage performances, utilising performance skills, elements of production, forms, and styles. By conducting research and analysing historic and contemporary stage works that have communicated a powerful message, students critically analyse how meaning is communicated to the intended audiences. In learning to collaborate for productions, they develop skills in empathy, interaction, responsiveness, reflection, and communication. Through the creation of their own performances, students communicate their understanding of issues and relationships that underpin stage performances. They apply performance techniques to shape audience response, by provoking, informing, or entertaining.

Production and Entrepreneurship

Students engage in production projects, investigate opportunities for creativity and explore the various avenues for participating in performances. They examine the stage performance landscape and different pathways for participation, including both performance and support roles. Students develop an entrepreneurial mindset and consider how to overcome obstacles and work creatively within constraints to enhance possibilities for authentic audience experiences. Students develop audition techniques and participate in career planning.

Independent Study

An Independent Study unit has an important place in senior secondary courses. It is a valuable pedagogical approach that empowers students to make decisions about their own learning. An Independent Study unit can be proposed by an individual student for their own independent study and negotiated with their teacher. The program of learning for an Independent Study unit must meet the unit goals and content descriptions as they appear in the course.

Independent Study units are only available to individual students in Year 12. A student can only study a maximum of one Independent Study unit in each course. Students must have studied at least three standard 1.0 units from this course. An Independent Study unit requires the principal’s written approval. Principal approval can also be sought by a student in Year 12 to enrol concurrently in an Independent Study unit and their third or fourth 1.0 unit in this course of study.