Scholarship

Drama Scholarship

2015

Exam assessment specifications

Mode of Assessment

Portfolio of recorded performances and oral justifications, with supporting evidence.

Content / Context details

Evidence is to be presented as a portfolio of three performances. The first and second are to be supported by an oral introductory analysis, and the third by an oral explanation and justification. All are to be recorded on the scheduled examination date under controlled conditions.

PART 1: Text-based performance

An extract/compilation from a recommended prescribed text for AS 91514 is to be chosen, prepared before the examination, and performed by the candidate. The performance of the extract is to be preceded by an oral introductory analysis explaining:

· the given circumstances and emotional context of the speech

· the interpretive choices

· performative intentions.

The introductory analysis is to be recorded immediately before the performance. No written prompt may be used. It is suggested that the candidate spend no more than ONE and a HALF minutes on the oral introductory analysis. Total time for the text-based performance and introductory analysis must not exceed FIVE minutes. Candidates are to give an annotated script of the text-based piece to the Supervisor at the start of the examination.

PART 2: Self-devised piece performance

The self-devised performed piece must illustrate the influence of one of:

· Stanislavsky

· Brecht

· Artaud

The performance of the self-devised piece is to be preceded by the candidate's answering a question based on their critical analysis of:

· creative choices made in the devised work

· performative choices

· the influence of one of Stanislavsky, Brecht, or Artaud on the devised work

· the performance of it.

The candidate’s answer to the question on their analysis will be recorded immediately before the performance of the self-devised piece. It is suggested that the candidate spend no more than TWO minutes when answering the question. Total time for the self-devised performance and response to the question must not exceed SIX minutes. Candidates are to give an annotated script of the self-devised piece to the Supervisor at the start of the examination.

PART 3: Impromptu performance

The nationally prescribed task for impromptu performance will require the candidate to demonstrate their understanding of the elements of drama in a new context. A nationally prescribed task for impromptu performance will be read to each candidate once by the Performance Supervisor. The Performance Supervisor will then hand a laminated copy of the nationally prescribed task to the candidate. The candidate will be given SIX minutes to plan, perform, and justify their response to the camera. The justification of their response must include reference to other possible approaches.

Prescribed Playwrights

Author	Play One	Play Two
Anton Chekhov	The Cherry Orchard	The Three Sisters
Aristophanes	The Frogs	Lysistrata
Arthur Miller	The Crucible	Playing for Time
Bertolt Brecht	Mother Courage	The Caucasian Chalk Circle
Briar Grace-Smith	Purapurawhetu	When Sun and Moon Collide
Bruce Mason	The End of the Golden Weather	The Pohutukawa Tree
Caryl Churchill	Top Girls	Soft Cops
Euripedes	The Trojan Women	Medea
Federico Garcia Lorca	The House of Bernarda Alba	Blood Wedding
George Bernard Shaw	Saint Joan	Arms and the Man
Greg McGee	Foreskin's Lament
Harold Pinter	The Birthday Party	The Hothouse
Hone Kouka	The Prophet	Waiora
Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis	Krishnan's Dairy	The Pickle King
Jean Anouilh	The Lark	Antigone
Jean Betts	The Revenge of the Amazons	Ophelia Thinks Harder
Lynda Chanwai-Earle	Foh Sarn	Ka Shue
Maurice Shadbolt	Once on Chunuk Bair
Mervyn Thompson	Children of the Poor	Coal Town Blues
Oscar Kightley and Dave Armstrong	Niu Sila	Fresh off the Boat
Oscar Wilde	The Importance of Being Earnest	Lady Windermere's Fan
Renee	Wednesday to Come	Pass it On
Samuel Beckett	Waiting for Godot	Endgame
Sophocles	Antigone	Oedipus
Stephen Sinclair	The Bellbird	The Bach
Tennessee Williams	The Glass Menagerie	Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Timberlake Wertenbaker	Our Country's Good	The Love of the Nightingale
Vincent O'Sullivan	Shuriken
William Shakespeare	Twelfth Night	Macbeth

Assessment Schedule

Outcome Description

The student will use knowledge of drama processes, texts and theories to perform and critically analyse challenging and creative drama works.

Scholarship Performance Descriptor

The student will demonstrate aspects of high level:

· analysis and critical thinking

· integration, synthesis, and application of highly developed knowledge, skills, and understanding to complex situations

· logical development, precision and clarity of ideas.

Outstanding Performance Descriptor

In addition to the requirements for Scholarship, the student will also demonstrate, in a sustained manner, aspects of:

· perception and insight

· sophisticated integration and abstraction

· independent reflection and extrapolation

· convincing communication.

Subject specific definitions:

o analysis and critical thinking requires authoritative evaluation of the performance opportunities present in challenging drama text.

o integration, synthesis and application of highly developed knowledge, skills and understanding to complex situations involves using a range of theory and performance skills to create original drama.

o logical development, precision and clarity of ideas involves shaping the material of drama coherently and concisely.

o perception and insight is demonstrated by a clear awareness of wider drama practice and theory as well as evidence of independent thought in a new context.

o sophisticated integration and abstraction involves identifying and resolving key challenges in performance and applying appropriate theory.

o independent reflection and extrapolation requires assured and convincing ability to reconfigure drama material.

o convincing communication requires fluent oral and performed evidence which conveys strong conviction using appropriate drama terminology and conventions.

Information for candidates

This information will help you to understand the examination procedure and to practice responding to instructions promptly. There will be no opportunity for reassessment.

You must wear plain, non-specific clothing, and perform to an imagined audience positioned near the camera; performance to the camera may distort the intended image.

Confirm with your Drama teacher what will be used as a warning signal.

On the day of the examination

· Be in the waiting-room by 9.10 am.

· Visit the toilet just before you arrive.

· You may leave the waiting-room only to go straight in to the performance space.

· Candidates will be examined in Attendance Roll order. A "Working Copy of the Attendance Roll" and copies of this "Information for Candidates" sheet will be available in the waiting-room.

· You may warm up until it is your turn to perform.

· Each candidate's performances are expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes.

The Examination

The Examination Supervisor will take each candidate to the performance space.

At the Performance Space, hand to the Supervisor:

· an Annotated Script for Part 1

· an Annotated Script for Part 2

· an Authenticity Declaration complete except for the candidate's signature.

Confirm your NSN number on the A4 plastic bag label, and ensure that the Supervisor places your documents in the bag and closes it. The Supervisor will note your "Start Time" on the Attendance Roll.

The Performances

The camera and recording will be started, and not stopped until you have completed all three of your performances. The camera will NOT be touched during any part of the filming.

TEXT-BASED PERFORMANCE

· The Supervisor will announce your candidate number e.g. "Candidate number 118678543."

· The Supervisor will announce "Part 1, Text-based Performance - 5 minutes."

· Begin with your oral introductory analysis. When you have completed it, say "Now I will perform" and then begin your performance.

· You will give your oral introductory analysis, say "Now I will perform", and then perform.

· At the end of 4 minutes 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.

· The Supervisor will stop you at 5 minutes - you must stop at once.

SELF-DEVISED PIECE

· The Supervisor will say: "Part 2, performance of self-devised piece - 6 minutes. I will read aloud the question to which you are to respond in your oral introductory analysis. When you have completed your oral introductory analysis, say, 'Now I will perform' and then begin your performance."

· You will give your oral introductory analysis, in response to the question asked by the Supervisor, afterwards say "Now I will perform", and then perform.

· At 2 minutes, a signal will be given if you have not stated "Now I will perform".

· At 5 minutes 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.

· The Supervisor will stop you at 6 minutes - you must stop at once.

IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE

· The Supervisor will say: "Here is the prescribed Impromptu Performance Task."

· The Supervisor will read out the Impromptu Performance Task to you once, and then hand you a laminated copy of it. Do not ask any questions about it.

· The Supervisor will announce: "Preparation for Impromptu Performance - 2 minutes."

· You will prepare. You may use pen, paper and the laminated copy of the prescribed task while you prepare.

· At 1 minute 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.

· At 2 minutes the Supervisor will: take the laminated task, pen, and any used paper from you, tear up the paper and put it in the rubbish bin, announce: "Part 3, Impromptu Performance - 2 minutes".

· You will perform.

· At 1 minute 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.

· At 2 minutes, the Supervisor will stop you and invite you to the camera.

· The Supervisor will announce: "You have 2 minutes to explain and justify your Impromptu Performance to the camera."

· You will give your explanation and justification.

· At 1 minute 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.

· The Supervisor will stop you at 2 minutes - you must stop at once.

· The camera and recording equipment will be stopped.

· Check with the Supervisor that all of your performances have been recorded. If they have been, sign the "Performance recorded" section of the Authenticity Declaration and date it.

· Leave the Performance Room when instructed by the Supervisor, who will note your "Leaving Time" on the Attendance Roll.

Waiting-room rules

· The school will provide a waiting-room for candidates, adjacent to but out of sight and earshot of, the Performance Space(s).

· All candidates may use the same waiting-room.

· There will be no opportunity to leave the waiting-room during the examination.

· The last candidate may have to wait for an hour and a half to be examined. Candidates should visit the toilet before going to the waiting-room.  

· Candidates are to be examined in Attendance Roll order. The "Working Copy of the Attendance Roll" will be available in the waiting-room.  

· Candidates must be present at 9.10 am and must obey the instructions given by the Examination Supervisor.  

· No candidate will be admitted to the waiting-room and permitted to perform after the first candidate has completed their performance and been dismissed.  

· Candidates who have performed are not to return to the waiting-room or communicate in any way with candidates yet to perform.  

· No cell phones are permitted in the waiting-room or Performance Space(s).  

· Copies of the "Instructions to Candidates" will be available in the waiting-room for candidates to read.

· Candidates may use their waiting time to warm up.  

· The Supervisor will maintain order in the waiting-room.

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