Drama Skills Development Workshops
The Arts Unit runs a series of skills development workshops for interested drama students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Students participate in a full day workshop led by specialist tutors from the performing arts industry.
Years 7 and 8 – Play in a Day workshop
When
Sunday 18 August 2024
Time
10:30 am – 3:15 pm
Venue
The Arts Unit – Corner Toothill Street and The Boulevarde, Lewisham
Cost
Students from metro and non-metro schools: $100.00
Students from department identified rural and remote schools: $60.00
All payments will be accepted online through our student payment portal.
Overview
This course will help deepen your understanding of drama and is a wonderful introduction for those who might be new to the subject. This is also a fundamental process in our ensemble program, condensed into a four-hour exploration. If you want to know what it feels like to be an ensemble, make new friends, learn new skills and consolidate and build new ones, then this workshop is for you.
Parents are invited to watch the final product in a short performance event at 4:00 pm where a certificate of participation will also be presented.
How to book
To book in for a 2024 Drama Skills Development Workshop, complete the online booking form.
Bookings have been extended and will close on Wednesday 14 August (previously Wednesday 7 August).
Years K–6 – Primary Skills Development workshops
When
Sunday 25 August 2024
Time
Kindergarten to Year 2:
- 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, or
- 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Years 3 to 6:
- 10:30 am to 3:15 pm
Venue
The Arts Unit – Corner Toothill Street and The Boulevarde, Lewisham
Cost
Students from metro and non-metro schools: $100.00
Students from department identified rural and remote schools: $60.00
Students in Years K–2 for 2 hour workshops: $50.00
All payments will be accepted online through our student payment portal.
Overview
Come and explore a day of drama with our skills development workshops.
Open to all students from Years K–6 from NSW public schools, sign on for a day of devising, improvisation, character-building, stagecraft, script-work, story-telling, and performance skills.
How to book
To book in for a 2024 Drama Skills Development Workshop, complete the online booking form.
Bookings have been extended and will close on Tuesday 20 August (previously Wednesday 7 August).
Workshop options
- Years K to 2: Creative Fairy Tales
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Let’s explore a magical world filled with fairy tale characters, mythical creatures and enchanted objects. This two hour workshop designed specifically for K–2 students introduces improvisation and storytelling techniques with a focus on creativity, physical expression, character and movement.
- Years 3 and 4: A Sense of Character
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Bring along a hat of your choice and be transformed into the world of your own unique character. Be supported to develop individual gesture, movement and expression together with your own 3 line monologue. Delve into the intentions of your character to create deeper meaning and stronger performance skills. We will work on body language with mime and powerful poses, then add sound, and gradually your character will find their voice. Join with other participants to share your own performance and afterwards combine stories for some exciting and fun collaborative work, making a piece of drama that has never been seen before.
- Years 3 to 6: Improvisation for Beginners
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New to improvisation and want to learn how to create characters, situations and stories from nothing? This workshop will explore the fundamentals of improvisation from how to make offers to how to actively listen and respond to what is happening in the scene. Learn how to make creative choices that keep a scene strong and engaging and develop ways to work effectively with others.
- Years 5 and 6: Script Detective
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Learn the art of working with a script and how to use your performance skills to their best effect. Focusing on character development, vocal and movement skills and how to use space and the stage effectively in role and as an ensemble, this workshop is perfect for those students who want to tackle delivering dialogue and character development. A short script will be supplied on the day. No preparation needed.
- Years 5 and 6: Devising with Props
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Want to know how to create sophisticated images on stage and work as a true ensemble to tell stories? This workshop ‘Devising with Props’ will look at how to use found objects to create characters, imagery, symbols and mood to elevate any devised performance. Using stories as a stepping stone, dive into how to create visual narrative over reliance on dialogue to engage audiences and increase your skill in performance.
General information
- Each workshop will be led by the same industry trained tutor.
- Workshops will be active, students must wear comfortable clothing.
- Students are required to be on The Arts Unit's premises for the duration of the workshops and lunch break.
- Please make sure your name is clearly marked on belongings and leave unnecessary valuables at home.
- Please bring water and plenty to eat for lunch. There is no cafe or canteen on site.
- Remember to have fun and meet new friends!
All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the Drama Skills Development Workshops, please email drama.artsunit@det.nsw.edu.au so that we can assist.
