Applied Learning
2022-24 Cohort; 2024 HKDSE
Item Description
1. Course Title The Essentials of Theatre Arts
2. Course Provider The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
3. Area of Studies/
Course Cluster
Creative Studies/Performing Arts
4. Medium of Instruction
Chinese
5. Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
(1) construct critical responses and ability of appreciation, enhance creative thinking skills through learning-by-practice during theatre productions, and understand the requirements of the industry;
(2) integrate creative, imaginative and reflective skills to apply to performance and creation;
(3) apply interpersonal skills and team building skills through rehearsal, group projects, collaborative tasks and showing;
(4) develop self-confidence and self-esteem through effective self-expression in drama and theatre activities;
(5) demonstrate a basic understanding of the work ethics and demonstrate positive values and attitudes related to theatre arts industry; and
(6) develop self-understanding for further studies and career development in the related field.
Draft as at December 2021
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6. Curriculum Map – Organisation and Structure
I) Contextual Studies II) Major Studies III) Production of Theatre Arts (Intensive Drama Day Camp) (30 hours) (87 hours) (63 hours)
*Elective: DRAMATIC ARTS
*Elective: THEATRE PRODUCTION
*Choose one of the electives
Fundamentals of Dramatic Arts
• Acting I (theatre games and improvisation exercises)
• Stage Movement
• Playwriting
• Acting II (scene works and analysis of script excerpts)
• Voice
• Stage Make-up
Production Practice and Presentation (30 hours)
• Concept Development
• Technical and Design Application
• Theatrical Presentation
Upon completion of Contextual Studies and Major Studies (Fundamentals of Theatre Production), students acquire and apply the knowledge and skills of theatre production and practice on theatrical presentations.
Fundamentals of Theatre Production
• Health and Safety Rules for Backstage
• Stage Management
• Stage Technology
• Set and Costume Design
• Lighting Design and Technology
• Sound Design and Technology
• Property Making
Devising and Performance
• Theatre Games and Practice
• Concept Development
• Playwriting
• Rehearsals, Technical Rehearsal and Dress Rehearsal
• Performance
Upon completion of Contextual Studies and Major Studies (Fundamentals of Dramatic Arts), students acquire the skills of drama performance, playwriting and practice, and apply them to characterisation, creation and rehearsals in the process of theatre production for a drama performance.
• Drama Genres - Forms & Styles
- Contextual Development - Local Drama Scene
• Play Reading and Analysis
• Drama Criticism
• Reflection for Practice and Development
• Attending Drama Performances
Rehearsals and Performance (33 hours)
• Rehearsals, Technical Rehearsal and Dress Rehearsal
• Performance
Work collaboratively with students taking dramatic arts for the support of backstage in the rehearsal, technical rehearsal and drama performance.
OR
Draft as at December 2021
8
Cluster of professions/trades/industries related to the course Creative Industry (Theatre/TV/Film)
e.g. creative professions including playwrights, directors, actors and instructors
e.g. technical arts professions including stage manager, set designer, lighting designer and sound designer Administrative Professions
e.g. arts administrative professions that require the basic knowledge of performing arts Teaching Professions
e.g. teachers, drama educators
Future global and local outlook
the promotion of local creative and cultural industries overseas contributes to the unique cultural image of Hong Kong as Asia’s world city and an international cultural metropolis; and the growing recognition of the value of arts education in Hong Kong boosts the needs for more arts educators
the West Kowloon Cultural District and the East Kowloon Cultural Centre become the landmarks of arts development, creating a vast number of opportunities for performing artists, technical professionals and arts administrators
the cultural development, the entertainment industry and the international performing groups in Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area and the other cities of the Mainland greatly demand performing artists, technical professionals and arts administrators; and the Belt and Road initiative is an opportunity for the performing arts and creative industries to enhance cultural exchange and collaboration among the countries in the areas
the local small to medium scale theatre companies subsidised by Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the local independent film and video industries and the television channels provide more job opportunities for performing artists and technical professionals
global and local social and cultural development influences the content and style of performance, and economic and technological advances alter the media of creative communication in performing arts
Beginners’ skill set to facilitate entry to further studies and / or work
demonstrate a basic understanding of the work ethics related to the theatre arts, and demonstrate self-confidence through effective self-expression in drama activities
acquire knowledge of artistic practice in a variety of performing arts domains and demonstrate the ability of drama appreciation from the perspective of literature and humanity
understand the drama production process and demonstrate the ability to convey messages for the intended audience using creativity and imagination;
demonstrate basic skills for dramatic arts
explore the aptitudes and abilities required in performing arts, and plan a personal roadmap to articulate to different levels of qualifications in drama, theatre or production management related professions
7. The Context
The information on possible study and career pathways is provided to enhance students’ understanding of the wider context of the specific Applied Learning course. Students who have successfully completed Applied Learning courses have to meet other entry requirements as specified by the institutions.
The recognition of Applied Learning courses for admission to further studies and career opportunities is at the discretion of relevant institutions. The Education Bureau and the course providers of Applied Learning are exploring and seeking recognition related to further education and career development opportunities for students successfully completing the Applied Learning courses.
Possible further study and career pathways Further studies
e.g. drama, theatre and entertainment arts, dance, media arts and design and musical theatre Career development
e.g. playwright, director, actor, artistic director, stage manager, production manager, arts administrator, drama teacher or theatre critic
Relations with core subject and other elective subjects Enhancing and enriching, e.g.
enhancing writing, reading, listening and speaking skills in studies of Chinese Language and developing the aesthetic judgment and sentiment of studies of Chinese Literature by applying the concepts of script creation and play analysis as well as participating in the making and performing of theatre arts
enhancing the breadth and depth of studies of Visual Arts by applying design concepts of set, costume and lighting such as forms, shapes, patterns and colour
Cross-fertilisation, e.g.
consolidating and reinforcing the learning of studies of History by applying the knowledge of humanities in world drama in relation to history, society and culture Expanding horizons, e.g.
students specialising in studies of Science or Humanities may broaden their knowledge in performing arts
Consolidating and synergising students’ studies, e.g.
students may undertake an in-depth study of drama/theatre/literature to synergise the knowledge and skills acquired and developed in their prior learning
Relations with other areas of studies/courses of
Applied Learning Creative Studies
the study of the fundamentals of dance and production of dance in Taking a Chance on Dance can contribute to and be transferred to the performing skills required in theatre arts
the knowledge acquired in Fashion Image Design can contribute to and be transferred to the theatre production and dramatic arts. There are similarities between costume design and fashion image design in the application and concept of colour, texture, pattern and material. The knowledge and skills of theatre production and drama performance can be applied in the fashion image design show. Also, the performing skills could be applied to modelling technique
Media and Communication
there are similarities between theatre production and production with film and transmedia shooting in Film and Transmedia. The study of theatre production and dramatic skills in the course can be applied in the film and video production for drama or music videos. The students are also capable of performing and directing for the shooting
Foundation knowledge developed in junior secondary education and Secondary 4 The course is built upon the foundation knowledge students acquired in, e.g.
Chinese Language Education and English Language Education – reading, writing, listening, speaking, literature, communication skills
Arts Education – creativity and imagination, skills and processes, critical responses, understanding arts in context, aesthetic appreciation
Technology Education – visual communication, design concept, applied technology
Personal, Social and Humanities Education – moral and social values
Physical Education – human body, movement analysis
Draft as at December 2021
8
Applied Learning
2022-24 Cohort; 2024 HKDSE
Learning and Teaching Course Title ： The Essentials of Theatre Arts Area of Studies ： Creative Studies
Course Provider ： The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
In The Essentials of Theatre Arts, student-centred learning and teaching activities are designed to enable students to understand fundamental theories and concepts, develop their generic skills, and address their career aspirations in theatre arts.
Different modes of activities are employed to provide students with a systematic understanding about the context (e.g. lectures, workshops, written tasks, rehearsals, presentations and performance on Contextual Studies, Major Studies, Performing Skills and Theatre Production) and eye-opening opportunities to experience the complexity of the context (e.g. field visits and visits to performance venues, rehearsals and performances in the Academy’s the School of Drama, and meeting with artists and staff of the professional or community drama companies).
Students acquire an understanding of the requirements, fundamental knowledge and skills essential for further learning within the area through learning-by-practising opportunities in an authentic or near-authentic environment (e.g. utilising body movements to create a solo work that demonstrates emotion expressions, characterisation and stage movement techniques, and presenting a creative story or design concept and practice in small groups that demonstrates the drama elements of Who, What and Where).
Students are also encouraged to develop and apply conceptual, practical and reflective skills to demonstrate entrepreneurship and innovation (e.g. written review to reflect and discuss a theatre production with personal opinions so as to demonstrate the ability to evaluate the content and presentation of a production and to make recommendations for devising new scripts and improving the production arrangement). Students are given opportunities to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired and consolidate their learning (e.g. the intensive drama day camp where students are guided to work collaboratively for a drama performance as playwrights, actors or backstage team members, students get involved in script devising, theatre production, design, rehearsals and performance in a professional performance venue).
Applied Learning
2022-24 Cohort; 2024 HKDSE
Curriculum Pillars of Applied Learning in Context – The Essentials of Theatre Arts
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
- construct critical responses and ability of appreciation, enhance creative thinking skills through learning-by-practice during theatre productions, and understand the requirements of the industry;
- integrate creative, imaginative and reflective skills to apply to performance and creation;
- apply interpersonal skills and team building skills through rehearsal, group projects, collaborative tasks and showing;
- develop self-confidence and self-esteem through effective self-expression in drama and theatre activities;
- demonstrate a basic understanding of the work ethics and demonstrate positive values and attitudes related to theatre arts industry; and
- develop self-understanding for further studies and career development in the related field.
Through the specific contexts related to the course, students have different learning opportunities, for example:
1. Career-related Competencies
- observe the work ethics in performing arts and theatre and entertainment arts;
- recognise the general trend and features of the local theatre industry;
- identify the roles of performers and backstage team in a theatre production;
- employ basic knowledge and practical skills in making and performing drama effectively;
- employ various concepts and terminology used in the drama and theatre field through visits to theatre venues, professional performances, meet-the-artists and participation in the rehearsals and performance in a theatre production (final presentation); and
- plan a personal roadmap to articulate to different levels of qualifications in drama, theatre or production management related professions.
Draft as at December 2021
8
2. Foundation Skills
- demonstrate effective communication skills in verbal and non-verbal forms (e.g.
body language) through training in theatre games, acting exercises and dramatic improvisations, operation of theatre technology;
- demonstrate effective presentation and verbal skills in speech-making activities, oral presentation and organisation of design concept and planning of stage management;
- create and analyse a script to communicate ideas, messages and theme;
- apply information technology skills in researching theatrical architecture design and collecting information for drama reviews; and
- apply mathematical and information technology skills in researching theatre technology and design.
3. Thinking Skills
- apply the knowledge of theatre arts and performing skills to create different characters, improvisations and exercises;
- apply problem-solving and decision-making skills and creative thinking skills to create scripts and characters in class practice and final performance;
- analyse the impact of social and cultural development on drama and theatre;
and
- analyse structures and development of themes in different plays or selected scenes to develop concepts in how dramatic elements work in the art form.
4. People Skills
- employ effective interpersonal, collaborative and team building skills in improvisations, scene work, group presentation and division of labour in final performance;
- demonstrate self-reflection skills upon receiving feedback from course tutors and peers during various activities and practice focusing on self-discovery; and - demonstrate self-management skills through the preparation of assessments
(e.g. drama performance reviews and property making) and group presentation (e.g. scene work and light and sound).
5. Values and Attitudes
- demonstrate a basic understanding of the work ethics related to the theatre arts industry and show enthusiasm and motivation;
- show positive attitude and willingness to learn by keeping abreast of the latest theatre trend;
- respect the originality of scriptwriting and understand intellectual property rights associated with the protection of design concepts; and
- demonstrate self-confidence when presenting creative ideas (e.g. showing a character or design concept) and receptive to advice or criticisms.
