DRAMA & COMMUNICATION TUITION GUIDE
CO-CURRICULAR DRAMA AND COMMUNICATION Aims and objectives • • • •
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To develop effective speech and communication skills.
To build confidence and self-esteem.
To foster an appreciation and love of literature.
To provide students with an opportunity to participate in drama and other performance areas, where they can develop skills in areas including creativity, voice, movement, character and stagecraft. To support and enhance oral presentations.
The annual Gold Coast Speech & Drama Eisteddfod is held during Term 3. It is at All Saints’ discretion each year as to whether students participate. If students do take part, the School decides how many will be entered, and which Eisteddfod sections they may take part in.
Events
The All Saints Drama program offers two internal events for students.
To develop the whole person both personally and artistically.
The All Saints Improvisation Festival (ASIF) is a spectator sport held biennially and is open to all students in Years 7-12. There is a Middle School and Senior School competition. Opposing teams perform scenes based on improvisational theatre and games.
Mime Scripted drama Improvisation Story telling Public speaking Effective reading
TheatreFest is an annual scholarship competition for students who participate in private Drama and Communication lessons. There is a Middle School and a Senior School competition. Students in Years 7 and 8 may be in paired Drama and Communication lessons although private lessons are preferable. Students in Years 9-12 must be in private lessons.
These aims and objectives are achieved through participation in the following areas: • • • • • •
Eisteddfod
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Poetry Voice production Prose Puppetry Articulation exercises
Middle and Senior students who intend to participate in Theatrefest must take private lessons. Please also consider the following carefully: • •
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Lessons for Junior School students in Prep to Year 6 are part of the academic curriculum.
Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 who wish to have additional private or paired lessons should be aware that such lessons will only be held before or after school, or at lunch breaks. Lessons for students in Years 7 to 12 will be held either during school hours, or before or after school. Preference for lessons outside school hours will be given to Senior School students.
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Lesson duration is 30 minutes.
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A ‘paired’ lesson consists of two students sharing a 30-minute session.
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A ‘private’ lesson is on a one-to-one basis.
A ‘group’ lesson consists of four students sharing a 30-minute session. Students may participate in examination and Eisteddfod work.
Paired and group lessons can only be accommodated when suitable pairing can be achieved at the commencement of each year. Tuition contracts are for a full semester. Rebates are not given where the full semester of tuition is not completed. A report from the student’s teacher is provided annually.
Examinations
Private Drama & Communication students at All Saints may sit examinations with external organisations: Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB), Australian Speech & Communication Association (ASCA) and Trinity College of London. The exams are held at All Saints Anglican School. Participation is optional and incurs a fee payable to the relevant examining board. While challenging, exams are thoroughly worthwhile exercises in goal-setting, developing performance techniques, acquiring theatrical knowledge and enhancing personal skills. All participants receive a personal written report from their examiner, and an official certificate recognising their achievement. Students in Years 4 to 8 can participate in exams in either a private or paired lesson. Students in Years 9 to 12 must undertake private lessons. The only exception is when preparing for Acting in Pairs syllabi.
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Voice and Communication Syllabus This syllabus is designed to develop everyday communicative skills with an emphasis on listening and conversation. This can be either an individual or group exam at the preparatory, intermediate or advanced level. It is designed to foster a student’s individuality, as well as their ability to work within a group. Prepared readings and conversation are the main focus, while memorised presentations and theory are minimal. Drama and Performance Syllabus This syllabus develops communicative and interpretative skills progressively through prose, drama and verse elements. This is an individual exam involving both memorised work and prepared readings. The focus is to develop: • • • • • • •
Poise and confidence in posture Natural unaffected speech style Voice projection Precision and clarity of vowels and consonants Awareness and ability in the staging of mime Improvisation Imagination, sensitivity and sincerity
This syllabus is more challenging in nature and tests candidates’ abilities.
Australian Speech and Communication Assocation This syllabus promotes and aids in the development of oral communication and listening skills in educational, professional and social spheres. ASCA offers a series of finely graded oral and written examinations in Communication, Performance, and Musical Theatre. The unique style of examining with parents and friends present as part of the audience is a vital part of the communication of skills process. Each examination in the main `Communication’ syllabus highlights an oral presentation of a subject in which the candidate has a special interest; readings and/or memorisations from relevant prose, poetry and/or drama; impromptu speeches and exchange of ideas with audience, and much more. ASCA promotes an examination experience that is positive and interactive.
Trinity College London Trinity College London (TCL) offers a global program of external examinations. Wherever in the world the exams take place, they are consistently conducted to the same criteria and rigorous standards. A variety of syllabi are offered including Speech & Drama, Musical Theatre, Acting, Solo/Pairs and performance certificates. Students are examined by a representative of TCL and are required to have an assertive and confident approach. Students are expected to be thoroughly prepared with own-choice selections memorised. Extemporary elements such as sight reading, improvisation and impromptu speaking must also be performed without hesitancy or assistance. From Grade 3 onwards, the student is required to answer set theory questions relating to technique, as well as literary and theatrical context. The higher the grade, the higher the degree of difficulty and expectation. Due to the important theoretical aspects of each grade, it is not recommended that grades be skipped.
Termination of lessons
Fees
Fees are calculated on a semester basis (two terms) of 16 lessons and invoiced at the beginning of Terms 1 and 3. Students should expect to receive 32 lessons in the year, however, if this is not the case accounts will be adjusted accordingly at the end of the year. Weekly Private Lessons $701.80* per semester Weekly Paired Lessons $393.80* per semester Large Group Lessons $244.20* per semester *Including GST, per semester (16 lessons). Please note these fees are subject to change.
Payment options •
Cash or cheque
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BPAY
Payments cannot be made via Parent Lounge nor any payment plan options. Accounts are due for payment each semester in advance. For any term in which fees are not paid by the due date, an administration reimbursement cost of $75.00 will apply. In addition, an account rendered generation reimbursement cost of $20.00 per statement may be applied to overdue accounts.
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If lessons are to be discontinued, the School requires formal notice from a parent or guardian by completing a cancellation form before the end of the semester. This form is available from either the Performing Arts office or can be downloaded from Parent Lounge and FIDO. Cancellations will not be accepted after lessons have either commenced, or have been timetabled for the semester. Notice of deadline dates are published regularly in Saints Alive.
Notice of inability to attend a lesson
Wherever possible, 48 hours’ notice should be given to either the Performing Arts Administration office or the appropriate tutor if a student is unable to attend their lesson. If a student misses their lesson due to illness, every effort will be made to reschedule if notice has been given. When one student of a paired lesson is absent, the lesson cannot be rescheduled for that student. For prolonged illness, special arrangements must be made with the Director of Performing Arts. Please note, lessons missed due to extension of normal school holidays will not be rescheduled.
New enrolments
Drama and Communication enrolment forms for new students are available at the Performing Arts office and on FIDO. A signed enrolment form must be received by the Performing Arts Administration office before lessons can commence. If a vacancy is not available, students will be placed on a waiting list.
We must all do theatre, to find out who we are, and to discover who we could become. - Augusto Boal
CONTACT US Performing Arts Department 07 5587 0351 performingartsadmin@asas.qld.edu.au
We hope students will enjoy participating in the Drama & Communication program at All Saints. We have talented staff who are passionate about providing excellent tuition, and we hope this will be the first of many years that your child engages in the performing arts at All Saints Anglican School.