Watch now: To find out more about the Arts Foundation to Level 6, watch ‘Understanding the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0, The Arts Foundation to Level 6’ on the About the Arts page. To find out more about Drama Levels 7–10, watch ‘Understanding the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0, Drama Levels 7–10’ on the Resources page.

Rationale and Aims

Rationale

Drama is a distinct and unique discipline and body of knowledge within the arts; a fundamental means of expression and communication. As a discipline within the arts, drama responds to our need to share and enact stories, and to create and make meaning across cultures, times, places and other contexts. Drama is an inclusive art form, one that is accessible to all, engaging students as they learn about themselves, their peers and the world. For children in Foundation to Level 2, drama is play and playful storytelling.

Drama involves unique discipline knowledge, skills, capabilities and creative processes. It develops students’ creativity, imagination, criticality, aesthetic knowledge, collaborative skills, communication, confidence, curiosity, problem-solving skills and self-expression. Learning in Drama involves a range of distinct processes including storytelling, devising, writing, rehearsing, designing, presenting, performing, reflecting, analysing and evaluating.

Drama as a discipline has a unique language and set of terminology that enables students to engage with historical and contemporary theatre practices and theatre design, and build critical knowledge in relation to acting, direction, costume, set, props, make-up, sound, lighting and technologies. Drama includes theatre and theatre-making as students progress in their learning.

In Drama, students draw on a diverse range of experiences, sources and ideas for creating stories and making dramatic works. Through Drama, students develop their ability to empathise, think creatively and critically, and understand a range of perspectives through role, character and storytelling. In Drama, students learn how creative industries such as theatre-making contribute to culture, community and economic wellbeing.

Drama as an art form is central to the diversity and continuity of local and global cultures, particularly the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Through drama, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples create, celebrate and express connection to and responsibility for Country and Place. Learning in Drama deepens students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ connection to and responsibility for Country and Place.

Aims

The Drama curriculum aims to develop students’:

• conceptual and perceptual ideas through embodied practices and inquiry processes
• confidence and self-esteem to explore, depict and celebrate human experience, take risks and challenge their own creativity
• knowledge and understanding in applying and analysing the elements, processes, forms, styles and techniques of drama to engage audiences and create and convey meaning
• a sense of curiosity, aesthetic knowledge and achievement through exploring and playing roles, and imagining situations, actions and ideas as artists and audiences
• knowledge and understanding of traditional and contemporary drama as critical and active participants, artists and audiences
• knowledge of the language of drama and theatre.