7–10Drama 7–10 Syllabus (2023)

The Drama 7–10 Syllabus includes 4 elective courses:

• Drama 200-hour elective
• Drama 100-hour elective
• Drama Life Skills 200-hour elective
• Drama Life Skills 100-hour elective.

Students may commence the elective study of Drama at different points across Years 7–10. 

The Drama 7–10 Syllabus engages and challenges students as dramatic practitioners through the interrelated practices of Making, Performing, and Appreciating drama and theatre. Students explore and interpret real and imagined worlds, investigating how artistic, cultural, social and personal contexts, including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, shape dramatic works and practices. Through imaginative and collaborative play, students investigate creative processes, critically reflect and use drama to challenge perspectives, tell stories and communicate meaning. They develop an understanding of how performance choices can shape an audience's interpretation and emotional engagement with the work.

Students develop knowledge and understanding about creating and refining meaning by experimenting with dramatic processes. This allows them to develop a deeper understanding of how dramatic elements contribute to storytelling and expression. Students manipulate dramatic elements and contexts to stage works that influence the audience’s response and to effectively communicate intention and meaning.

Students learn and apply skills in Making, Performing, and Appreciating drama and theatre by selecting and refining dramatic elements and processes. Through imaginative and collaborative play, they adapt performance skills and critically reflect on creative choices. Students evaluate how these choices shape meaning and impact the audience. This process encourages them to challenge perspectives, extend their understanding and use drama to create, interpret and communicate meaning in innovative ways.

Safety and risk management

Schools are required to ensure they follow Loading  in delivering the Drama 7–10 Syllabus.

Dramatic works

Teachers should research the dramatic works they select as a part of students’ learning. This allows teachers to identify potential areas for targeted teaching. Research may include previewing a performance, educator’s notes from a theatre company, reviews of a live performance, promotional materials, scripts or recorded dramatic works.

100-hour elective course requirements

Students are required to make, perform and appreciate:

• at least one group-devised performance
• at least one scripted work.

200-hour elective course requirements

Students are required to make, perform and appreciate:

• at least two group-devised performance
• at least two scripted works.

For Drama Life Skills:

• Students are required to demonstrate achievement of one or more Drama 7–10 Life Skills outcomes.
• Outcomes and content should be selected to meet the particular needs of individual students.
• The focus areas provide possible frameworks for addressing the Drama 7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content and are suggestions only. Teachers have the flexibility to select, group and sequence outcomes and content to meet the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of their students.
• Students should have the opportunity to engage in the practices of Making, Performing and Appreciating as appropriate to their needs, interests and abilities.
• Students develop collaboration skills as they make, perform and appreciate dramatic works. Opportunities for students to engage in group-devised performance should be provided where appropriate.
• Dramatic works should be selected as appropriate to the needs, interests, abilities and prior learning of students. Scripted works may be used if appropriate.