Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

NB: Information in this Unit Outline is subject to change prior to commencement of semester

As students of Drama, and of the Creative Industries more broadly, you will benefit from an examination of ideas and information relating to the theory and practice of Australian theatre and performance. In drawing connections between theatre and society, and in exploring a variety of Australian performance idioms, this unit augments understandings developed in a range of other Creative Industries study areas. The unit provides vital contextual material for students who will be working in the Creative Industries sector.

Aims

This unit aims to provide you with core understandings relating to Australian theatre history, as well as contemporary issues in Australian theatre and performance.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Analyse key periods, issues, plays and practitioners in Australian theatre in the context of social and cultural issues.
2. Apply knowledge of a range of Australian plays to the performance of rehearsed scenes.
3. Employ written and communication skills for Drama contexts taking into account academic writing conventions

Content

This unit covers the following: issues and challenges in contemporary Australian theatre; key periods in Australian theatre history; major Australian plays, playwrights, directors, practitioners and language; Australian theatre companies and institutions; indigenous drama:; Brisbane theatre history; Australian performing arts as markers of identity.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit is delivered via a performative lecture series, a major Blackboard site, required play texts, and library resources. There is a high expectation of autonomous reading and research in this unit.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access complete Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
The unit coordinator and tutors will provide in-class and online advice and feedback to assist you in your preparation of summative assessment items and will respond to email enquiries throughout the semester.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
To obtain a Pass grade or higher in this unit, you must complete all summative assessment items and submit all summative assessment items.
Please note: Creative Industries Faculty has a standard referencing system which MUST be used for written responses. The CIF Referencing Guide can be accessed through the Blackboard site.

Assessment name: Performance
Description: A small group performance and monologue.
Relates to objectives: 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Research Essay
Description: A major written task that reflects detailed research on your topic
Relates to objectives: 1 and 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Textbook:
McCallum, John.(2009). Belonging: Australian Playwriting in the 20th Century. Sydney: Currency Press.

PLAY TEXTS

Bailey, Bert. (1984). On Our Selection. Sydney: Currency Press.

Carleton, Stephen. (2006) Constance Drinkwater and the Final Days of Somerset. Brisbane: Playlab Press.




Harrison, Jane. (1998). Stolen. Currency Press: Sydney.

Janaczewska, Noelle. (2006) Mrs Petrov's Shoe. Hobart: The Australian Script Centre

Lawler, Ray. (1978) Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. Sydney: Currency Press

Nowra, Louis. (1989) The Golden Age. Sydney: Currency Press.



Romeril, John. (1975) The Floating World. Sydney: Currency Press.

Williamson, David. (1978) The Club. Sydney: Currency Press.

Recommended Texts
Archer, Robyn.2005) Platform Papers 4. The myth of the mainstream : politics and performing arts in Australia today

Arrow, Michelle, (2002) Upstaged - Australian women dramatists in the limelight at last.

Blundell, Graeme (ed). (1997) Australian Theatre: Backstage with Graeme Blundall. Melbourne: Oxford UP.

Brisbane, Katharine (2005) Not Wrong, Just Different: Observations On The Rise Of Contemporary Australian Theatre.


Brisbane, Katharine (Ed.) (2003) The Parsons Lectures: the Philip Parsons memorial lectures on the performing arts 1993-2003.

Brisbane, Katharine (Ed.) (2004) Plays of the 50s.

Brisbane, Katharine (Ed.) (1998) Plays of the 60s.

Brisbane, Katharine (Ed.) (1998) Plays of the 70s.

Capelin, Steve (Ed) (1995) Challenging the Centre: Two Decades Of Political Theatre.

Carroll, Dennis (1994) Australian Contemporary Drama.

Casey, Maryrose (2004) Creating Frames : Contemporary Indigenous Theatre 1967-1990.

Cleven, Vivienne et al (2007) Contemporary Indigenous Plays (by Vivienne Cleven, Wesley Enoch,
Jane Harrison, David Milroy and Geoffrey Narkle).

Comans, Christine.(2009) La Boite: The Story Of An Australian Theatre Company. Brisbane: Playlab Press.

Crawford, Jerry et al (1995) Acting in Person and Style in Australia.

Crawford, Terrence. (2005) Trade Secrets: Australian actors and their craft. Strawberry Hills: Currency Press.

Fensham, R. & Varney, D. (2005) The Dolls' Revolution: Australian Theatre and Cultural Imagination.

Gilbert, Helen (ed.) (1999) (Post) Colonial Stages: Critical & Creative Views on Theatre, Drama & Performance.

Gilbert, Helen and Joanne Tompkins. (1996) Post-colonial Drama: Theory, Practice, Politics. London: Routledge.

Gilbert, Helen (1998) Race, Gender And Nation In Contemporary Australian Theatre.

Glow, Hilary. Power Plays : Australian Theatre And The Public Agenda.

Golder, John & Richard, Madelaine (eds) (2001) O Brave New World: Two Centuries Of Shakespeare On The Australian Stage

Healy, Connie (2000) Defiance: Political Theatre In Brisbane 1930-1962.

Holloway, Peter (ed.) (1987) Contemporary Australian Drama.

Kelly, Veronica (ed.) (1998) Our Australian Theatre in the 1990s.

Kelly, Veronica (1998) The Theater of Louis Nowra

Lewis, Lee (2007) Platform Papers 13. Cross-Racial Casting : Changing The Face Of Australian Theatre

Mead, Chris (2008) Platform Papers 17. What Is An Australian Play: Have We Failed Our Ethnic Writers?

Meyrick, Julian (2005) Platform papers 3. Trapped by the Past - Why Our Theatre is Facing Paralysis

Meyrick, Julian (2002) See How It Runs : Nimrod And The New Wave.

Milne, Geoffrey (2004) Theatre Australia (Un)Limited: Australian Theatre Since the 1950s.

Parr, Bruce (Ed) (1996) Australian Gay And Lesbian Plays.

Pensalfini, Rob. (2009). Not in our own Voices: Accent and Identity in Contemporary Australian Shakespeare Performance. Australasian Drama Studies. 54.


Parsons, Philip (ed.) (1995) Companion to Theatre in Australia.

Radic, Leonard (2006) Contemporary Australian Drama.

Radic, Leonard (1991) The State of Play: The Revolution in the Australian
Theatre Since the 1960s.

Rees, Leslie (1973) A History of Australian Drama (Vol 1).

Rees, Leslie (1978) A History of Australian Drama (Vol 2).

Justine Saunders(Introduction) (1989) Plays From Black Australia : Jack Davis, Eva Johnson, Richard Walley, Bob Maza.

Tait, Peta (1994) Converging Realities: Feminism In Australian Theatre.


Tompkins, Joanne. (2001) Homescapes and Identity reformations in Australian multicultural drama. Theatre Research International 26 (1).

Wolf, Gabrielle (2008) Make It Australian: The APG. The Pram Factory and the New Wave,


Journals
- Australasian Drama Studies
- Ignite


Websites
Arts Queensland http://www.arts.qld.gov.au/

Ausstage

Australia Council http://www.ozco.gov.au/

Currency Press

La Boite http://www.laboite.com.au/

Playlab

QTC http://www.qldtheatreco.com.au/


Texts for use in secondary schools
Gadaloff, Judith (1991) Australian Drama
Gadaloff, Judith (1998) Springboards: Australian Drama 2
Crawford, Jerry et al (1995) Acting in Person and Style in Australia

Risk assessment statement

As all performance-makers understand, creating a performance, even a rehearsed reading, potentially carries with it certain physical and/or emotional risks, both in the rehearsal room and in the theatre. Indeed taking risks is an integral component of the art forms processes. Some rehearsal warm ups and exercises, and some performance events may include physically or emotionally strenuous activities. Managing this risk to ensure working conditions are safe, is always a high priority in the production process. It is therefore extremely important that if you are aware of personal physical or emotional vulnerabilities that make you feel unsafe or at risk in any way, you should immediately inform your lecturer or tutor so that your situation can be evaluated and appropriate rectifying action can be taken. Every effort is made by Drama staff at QUT to ensure that you work in a safe environment. Conversely you are absolutely expected to follow all safety rules, procedures and directions, and to ensure that you do not put at risk the safety of others, or yourself, or of the highest artistic fulfillment of the project in any way.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 26-Mar-2013