Bachelor of Dramatic Art with nested Diploma of Dramatic Art
Transforming lives through excellence in Christian higher education
Bachelor of Dramatic Art with nested Diploma of Dramatic Art
Students in the School of Drama at Wesley Institute, a centre of excellence in drama education, experience performing arts tuition of the highest calibre in accordance with industry standards and expectation. The Bachelor of Dramatic Art is a specialist degree with professional outcomes satisfying student aspirations and industry requirements. It provides extensive exposure to all the major aspects of theatre, with specialisations in Performance, Production and Theatre Practice. Course Code: WDR11 Credit Points: 144 Full-time: 3 years Part-time: Up to 6 years Number of Units: 40-41 Student Workload: 40 hours per week (full-time) Delivery Mode: On campus studies A nested Diploma of Dramatic Art gives students skills in both acting and theatre production and the ability to apply these in theatrical and related vocational contexts. The Diploma also provides an optional exit award from the Bachelor degree. Course Code: WDR01 Credit Points: 96 Full-time: 2 years Part-time: Up to 4 years Number of Units: 30 Student Workload: 40 hours per week (full-time) Delivery Mode: On campus studies
Majors • Performance • Production • Theatre Practice
FEE-HELP available
Why study Drama @ Wesley Institute • Comprehensive, intensive course taught by industry professionals in small workshop style classes • Opportunity to specialise according to interests and professional focus • Practical application of dramatic theory • Collaborative environment to learn and grow as a creative artist • Integration of faith, conceptual understanding and the artistic endeavour • Great location and theatre production facilities.
How to apply... Intakes: January. Midyear intake is available if applicant is transferring from another drama course or has previous industry experience. Admission: By audition and interview. Educational Requirements: • Successful completion of the NSW Higher School Certificate or equivalent, or • Successful completion of an accredited tertiary course. • Additionally, international applicants need to demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to an overall minimum score of 6.0 on the IELTS Academic test. • Applicants 21 years or over, who satisfy the artistic entry requirements and who possess qualifications and/or experience deemed equivalent to the NSW HSC, may be admitted. Artistic Requirements: Applicants are expected to have some drama and theatre experience in school, church, community theatre or workshops. For audition requirements, visit www.wi.edu.au/drama For more information: Visit www.wi.edu.au/drama
Production Major Units Performance Acting I-II Movement I-II Voice I-II Theoretical Context Theatre History I-IV Introduction to Drama Introduction to Production Drama Pedagogy Production Studio I-II Stage Management Set Design Lighting Design and Operation
Sound Design and Operation Video Production Directing I Theatre Management Production Practice A-E Production Project Personal and Professional Development Faith and the Contemporary Artist I-V Electives Units from other drama majors or other degrees
Career Possibilities Diploma of Dramatic Art
Support roles in performance / production
Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Performance)
Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) OR Master of Teaching (Primary)
Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Production) Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Theatre Practice)
Performer, Secondary Drama Teacher OR Primary School Teacher Stage / Production Manager, Technical Director, Events Manager, etc.
+
Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) OR Master of Teaching (Primary)
Theatre Practitioner, Secondary Drama Teacher OR Primary School Teacher
Performance Major Units Performance Acting I-VI Movement I-VI Voice I-VI Performance Practice A-E Performance Project Theoretical Context Theatre History I-IV Introduction to Drama Introduction to Production Drama Pedagogy
Production Studio I-II Personal and Professional Development Faith and the Contemporary Artist I-V Electives Units from other drama majors or other degrees
Theoretical Context Theatre History I-IV Introduction to Drama Introduction to Production Drama Pedagogy Production Studio I-II Stage Management Video Production Directing I Theatre Management
Performance
Theoretical Context
Production
Personal & Professional Development
Elective
BACHELOR OF DRAMATIC ART (PERFORMANCE)
93cp
21cp
6cp
15cp
9cp
144cp
Diploma of Dramatic Art Performance
Theoretical Context
Production
Personal & Professional Development
Elective
DIPLOMA OF DRAMATIC ART
51cp
18cp
6cp
12cp
9cp
96cp
Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Production Major)
Theatre Practice Major Units Performance Acting I-III Movement I-II Voice I-II Performance Practice A-E
Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Performance Major)
Production Practice A-E Theatre Project Personal and Professional Development Faith and the Contemporary Artist I-V Electives Two units from the design group, plus units from other majors or other Institute degrees
Performance
Theoretical Context
Production
Personal & Professional Development
Elective
BACHELOR OF DRAMATIC ART (PRODUCTION)
18cp
21cp
63cp
15cp
27cp
144cp
Diploma of Dramatic Art Performance
Theoretical Context
Production
Personal & Professional Development
Elective
DIPLOMA OF DRAMATIC ART
18cp
18cp
36cp
12cp
12cp
96cp
Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Theatre Practice Major) Performance
Theoretical Context
Production
Personal & Professional Development
Elective
BACHELOR OF DRAMATIC ART (THEATRE PRACTICE)
21-48cp
21cp
30-57cp
15cp
30cp
144cp
Diploma of Dramatic Art Performance
Theoretical Context
Production
Personal & Professional Development
Elective
DIPLOMA OF DRAMATIC ART
21-36cp
18cp
15-30cp
12cp
15cp
96cp
Course Units PERFORMANCE STUDIES Acting I-VI 3-6 credit points The initial focus of these units is upon freeing and developing students’ imaginations, liberating their senses through observation and improvisation, and working together as an ensemble. Later studies focus on theatrical text as revelation of character and situation, and explore various styles of performance. Movement I-VI 3 credit points This series of units aims to liberate the student actor into confident access to an extensive physical vocabulary of posture, gesture and movement. Units explore movement from the perspective of the actor as revelation of motivated characters in action and space. Initial units cover Laban, Chekhov, neutral and character masks, while the advanced units introduce students to the heightened and specialised physical demands of Suzuki and Commedia Del’ Arte. Voice I-VI 3 credit points This practical series of units is designed to equip students with the full range of vocal skills and techniques needed for dramatic performance. Students explore the effects upon the voice of space, performance dynamics and the presence of the audience and of other performers. Performance Practice A-E 3-6 credit points Students workshop, rehearse and perform works from the theatre canon or self-devised works as students develop as complete performers. Performance Project 9 credit points Students will perform a major work in their final semester to fully integrate and implement the skills that have been learned during the preceding five semesters, and consolidate individual performance process under the supervision of a professional director. Performance Project also provides a platform for industry exposure through networking with invited industry representatives. THEORETICAL CONTEXT Theatre History I-IV 3 credit points The Theatre History strand explores the conventions of and influences on theatre through various periods, from the origins of drama through to the 18th century and modern theatre. Two units focus on the development of theatre in light of physical presentation, technological advancement, cultural traditions and performance techniques, whilst a further two units focus on textual analysis.
Introduction to Drama 3 credit points Students learn the distinctive features of Drama as an artistic medium, learning to explore plays as blueprints for a performance event. They develop analytical skills that enable them to discern information concerning aspects of characterisation, dramatic action, appropriate staging and relationship to an audience. Introduction to Production 3 credit points Students gain a basic understanding of the internal structure and administration of a professional theatre company, including the specific functions of key members of a production team. Drama Pedagogy 3 credit points This unit begins with an historical overview of the use and power of drama as an educative medium. Students explore Theatre in Education, Creative Dramatics, Forum Theatre techniques and Drama Therapy. Consideration is given to Drama in the Curriculum, with particular reference to the Year 7-12 Drama Syllabus. The practical component teaches students to design, run and analyse various kinds of workshops. PRODUCTION STUDIES Stage Management 3 credit points Students learn the various and vital contributions a stage manager brings to the production team, including an understanding of audition procedures, preparation of rehearsal schedules, creation of the Prompt Book, delegation of responsibilities to assistants and procedures for running each performance. Studio I-II 3 credit points These practical units enable students to gain understanding and experience of many production processes, including aspects of set construction, scenic painting, property construction, costume creation, light and sound operations. Set Design 3 credit points Students learn the component parts of creating a stage environment that heightens the impact of the performance. They will explore development of the concept, fundamentals of design and communication through plans and model making. Lighting Design and Operation 3 credit points A study of the fundamentals of lighting design from concept to production. Students are required to complete a lighting design for one of the Institute productions which may be drawn from the schools of dance, drama or music.
Sound Design and Operation 3 credit points A study of the fundamentals of sound design from concept to production. Students are required to complete a sound design for one of the Institute productions which may be drawn from the dance, drama or music facilities. Video Production 3 credit points This unit gives students an overview of video techniques, particularly those of filming, story boarding and editing. Students will gain insights into and experience in the processes and ideas involved in film and video production, culminating in a group project of a short film. Directing I 3 credit points An historical overview of the rise of the director introduces students to the specific functions of the theatre director. Students learn to approach a text from a directorial point of view and are instructed in the detailed analysis of text, the development of a directorial concept, the liaison with designers and production personnel, and various approaches to rehearsal. Script Writing 3 credit points This unit introduces students to the dynamics and major elements of successful scripting of playable dramatic action. Students acquire skills in analysis and critique of contemporary texts, and develop, through writing exercises, the ability to express their own ideas in dramatic form. Theatre Management 3 credit points This unit focuses on the specific roles and functions of key administrative and artistic personnel in a professional theatre company. Students are encouraged to consider possible career options in these areas and explore the necessity and possibility of further specialist training. Production Practice A-E 3-6 credit points This represents the practical application of skills developed in the range of production classes. Students take on a key production role for a performance, working with the performance students and director. Production Project 9 credit points In their final semester students will complete a major project, specialising in one area of production. The purpose is to fully integrate and implement the skills that have been learned during the preceding semesters. Production opportunities may include any of the following: producing, directing, design, writing and film-making. Theatre Project 9 credit points Students will create a major theatre arts related project in their final semester, drawing on and combining areas of study from their three years. This could be realised in any of a number of mediums and will incorporate a significant body of practical and theoretical work. It may include aspects of writing, directing, performance and production. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Faith and the Contemporary Artist I-V 3 credit points The Faith and Contemporary Artist sequence is common to all the Institute’s creative arts degrees, facilitating integration between the creative arts, as well as integration between faith and artistic endeavour. The first unit investigates worldviews and beliefs, and locates the Christian story within a backdrop of philosophy and ethics. It also builds on orientation study seminars, providing detailed guidance and tutorial assistance with the demands of essays and other assessments. Throughout the remaining units, theological reflection is grounded in history, philosophy and aesthetics to promote the process of spiritual enquiry and development in the artist.
ELECTIVE STUDIES Acting Shakespeare 3 credit points This unit aims to provide students with a broad base of knowledge and skills in Shakespearean acting methodology. Students will explore several Shakespearean texts in various genres with regard to both historical and modern performance practices. Directing II 6 credit points In Directing II each student will act as assistant director on a substantial public performance. Costume Design 3 credit points Students gain an understanding of costume, wigs, and make-up as a vital contribution to the transformation of an actor into a character in time and place. Practical and design considerations are explored and related to current shows. Theatre Internship 6 credit points This subject demands the choice of a specific role, e.g. Stage Manager or Assistant Director, and completion of this role on a major production within the college or externally. Students are specifically supported to utilise the Theatre Internship for Drama Ministry. Theatre Secondment 6 credit points Further professional experience in a specific theatre industry role may be gathered by taking on a secondment to a professional production, event or research project. These secondments must be undertaken with serious intent and selectivity and on occasions provide excellent pathways into the industry. Industry Placement 12 credit points Industry Placement provides students with the opportunity to consolidate skills and knowledge gained in previous degree studies through extended participation in a professional practice setting. Currently, Industry Placement allows eligible candidates the opportunity to live, study and network in Los Angeles in the Oz to LA program. industry Placement is only open to students demonstrating serious intent with respect to their participation in the unit. Such intent will be ascertained in the context of a rigorous selection process.
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Wesley Institute has provided me with a great opportunity to learn how to use the gifts God has given me. I think the mark of a great institute is that it doesn't just put knowledge into you, it also seek to draw out your potential and I think Wesley has done that in a fantastic way. I'm immensely thankful for the opportunity to study here.
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Luke Smith Graduate
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