Drama

Aranui High School
Drama Department

Mr R Gilbert, BA (Education), G Dip Tchg & Lrng
Ms B Le Cren, BA (Performing Arts), G Dip Tchg & Lrng

Drama is a strand of the New Zealand arts Curriculum.  At Aranui High School, Drama is taught at all levels.  Students must have two Arts subjects as part of their programme until the end of Year 10.

· Year 9 Drama Option
· Year 10 Drama Option
· Year 11—NCEA Level 1
· Year 12—NCEA Level 2
· Theatre Academy—NCEA Level 3
· Aranui Theatre Company
· Co-Curricular Drama
· Sheilah Winn Festival of Shakespeare
· NZ Theatre Federation Festival of Community Theatre
· Major School Production 

 

Drama covers seven of the eight essential skills identified across the New Zealand curriculum.

THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS

  • Communication

  • Information

  • Problem Solving, Self Management & Competition

  • Social & Co-operative

  • Physical

  • Work & Study

 

Students taking Drama also develop:

  • Confidence

  • Creativity

  • Enthusiasm

  • Self Esteem

Each lesson is carefully planned.  The curriculum includes introductory activities, speech, verbal dynamics, creative movement, mime, language development, structured improvisation, dialogue development, text work, scenes, scripts, class presentations, co-curricular productions and festivals.

Above all... drama classes are fun!

 

NCEA Level 1

Students will study performance, plays, improvisation, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.  Year 11 Drama develops in students a confidence in themselves and enhances English skills.

NCEA Level 2

The Year 12 Drama course concentrates on making theatre ‘happen' and on developing the ability to stand up in front of a crowd with confidence.

Students will:

* Create credible roles in improvisation and scripted drama
* Write, prepare & present original scripts
* Practice acting techniques
* Use and develop verbal & non verbal communication skills
* Watch, listen and critically comment on drama

THEATRE ACADEMY

The Academy offers NCEA Level 3 credits in the first year, and NZQA Level 4 Credits in the second.

Students study script writing and playwrights, whilst developing skills and knowledge in theatre and theatre-related industries.  Students enter theatre festivals and must participate in the major production.

ARANUI THEATRE COMPANY

The Theatre Company is available to exceptional students and offers a career pathway for those who wish to enter the profession. For more information see: www.AranuiTheatre.co.nz

 

Awards

2009

NZTF District Festival of Community Theatre

  • Best Comedy - Hamlet: The Moody Dane

  • Best Production - Hamlet: The Moody Dane

  • Best Youth Production - A Midsummer Night's Dream

NZTF South Island Festival of Community Theatre

  • Best Production - A Midsummer Night's Dream

  • Best Actor - Rawiri Maniapoto

NZTF National Festival of Community Theatre

  • Best Tecanical & Design - A Midsummer Night's Dream

2008

NZTF District Festival of Community Theatre

  • Best Comedy - Bottom's Tale

  • Runner-up Best Production - Bottom's Tale

  • Excellence in Acting - Steven Keen and Fi Glasgow

NZTF South Island Festival of Community Theatre

  • Best technical Production - Bottom's Tale

  • Runner-up Best Production - Bottom's Tale

2007

International Theatre Festival, Norfolk Island

  • Adjudicator's Achievement Award - Andrew Bolith as Friar Laurence

  • Best Director - Robert Gilbert

  • Trans-Tasman Trophy for Best Production - Romeo and Juliet

NZTF District Festival of Community Theatre

  • The Hunter Bell Memorial Trophy for Best Youth Production - Romeo and Juliet

  • The Radford Cup for Best Drama - Romeo and Juliet

  • The Sir James Hay Memorial Trophy for Best Overall Production - Romeo and Juliet

NZTF South Island Festival of Community Theatre

  • Best Youth Production - Romeo and Juliet

  • Best Overall Production - Romeo and Juliet

NZTF National Festival of Community Theatre

  • Outstanding Emerging Player - Andrew Bolithio as Friar Laurence

  • Best Actor (Male) - Pana Hema-Taylor as Mercutio

2006

National Sheilah Winn Festival of Shakespeare in Schools

  • Dymocks Award for Special Individual Performance - Te Awhiroa Kuka-Sweet as Hamlet

  • Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School Award for Best Technician - A.J. White

  • Stratford Shakespeare Society Award for Outstanding Presentation from a Tragedy - Hamlet

  • The New Zealand Theatre Federation Award for Outstanding Production - Hamlet

International Theatre Festival, Norfolk Island

  • Runner-up Best Actor - Te Awhiroa Kuka-Sweet as Hamlet

  • Best Concept and Design - Robert Gilbert

  • Best Supporting Actor - Sheree Faaope as Gertrude

  • Runner-up Best Production - Hamlet

2005

National Sheilah Winn Festival of Shakespeare in Schools

  • British Council Award for Outstanding Song/Music - Ana Buchanan

  • Sam Wanamaker Memorial Award For Most Promising Actor - Te Awhiroa Kuka-Sweet as Oberon

  • Russell Armitage Award For Outstanding Individual Comic Role - Andy Bibby as Bottom

  • Russell Armitage Award For Outstanding Presentation of a Comedy - Aranui High School for A Midsummer Night's Dream

 

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