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Course Outline

DRA206 Acting 2: Contemporary Voice and Text

Course Coordinator:Hannah Banks (hbanks@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course will focus on the performance skills needed to realise a contemporary text. You will acquire an understanding of both traditional and contemporary approaches to voice and acting techniques. You will develop your skills in voice, characterisation, devising, research, dramaturgy and textual analysis. You will then reflect on these skills and collaborate to perform a contemporary text.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled On-Campus Workshops 3hrs Week 1 11 times
Learning materials – Asynchronous Online Delivery of Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 3 times

Course Topics

Throughout the semester, DRA 206 students will:

  • Explore modern acting techniques supporting text based performance (monologue and scene development).
  • Further develop their acting skills in characterisation and vocal technique.
  • Learn introductory Devised Theatre techniques to build an understanding of individual creative voice.
  • Reflect on their own creative approaches toward a text.
  • Communicate how dramaturgy and acting theories influence creative choices.
  • Investigate and perform contemporary activations of dramatic literature. Note: Depending on the play selections for the semester, these texts may contain adult themes and coarse language.

Mature Content

Coarse Language, Adult themes

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Reflect on contemporary performance theories through a practical application. Knowledgeable
2 Develop performance skills with proficiency and confidence in contemporary text-based performance. Empowered
3 Collaborate to transform a contemporary text into a polished performance. Creative and critical thinker
4 Devise a dramatic script for short performance. Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

DRA200

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Competent English language skills for oral and written work and foundational skills in role play, acting, characterisation and rehearsal processes.

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

In week 3 you will have the opportunity to present a draft of Task 1 for feedback. Throughout Weeks 6-9 you will develop Task 2 during workshops. In Week 12 you will present a dress rehearsal of Task 3 for feedback.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Creative Performance Individual 20% 
3 mins
 Week 4 In Class
All 2 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 40% 
1500
 Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Creative Performance, and Written Piece Individual 40% 
6-8 minutes plus 500 words
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All - Assessment Task 1:Speech
Goal: 
Perform a short monologue to demonstrate your developing vocal skills.
Product: Creative Performance
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Choose, rehearse and perform a short poem/monologue from the list provided applying physical and vocal techniques.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Communicating performance intention towards target audience
 3
2 
Demonstrating efficient postural alignment
 2
3 
Demonstrating connection to breath and resonance
 2
Generic Skills: 

                        

                    

                

                

                    

                        

                            
                                All - Assessment Task 2:Devised Monologue and Exegesis
                            
                        

                        

                            Goal:
                            
Develop a devised monologue with an exegesis, inspired by a selected reading and practitioner.

                        

                        

                            Product:
                            Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
                        

                        

                            Authorship Statement:
                            
                        

                        

                            Format:
                            
Individually develop a devised monologue of approximately 500 words inspired by a selected reading and a practitioner from the Digital Theatre Plus resource list. You will workshop this monologue in class and develop it into a written text. You will also write a short exegesis of 1000 words to communicate your chosen theory, inspiration and the theatrical concepts illustrated in your monologue. The monologue and exegesis will be uploaded as a written piece to Canvas in Week 9.

                        

                        

                            Criteria:
                            
                                

                                    
                                        

                                            No.
                                            
                                            Learning Outcome assessed
                                        

                                    
                                    
                                            

                                                1
                                                
Contextualise chosen practitioner approaches and theory from the selected reading in performance and exegesis

                                                
                                                        1
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                2
                                                
Effective communication of ideas, themes and concepts through theatrical style

                                                
                                                        4
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                3
                                                
Clarity of written communication and academic referencing for professional purposes

                                                
                                                        1
                                                
                                            

                                    
                                

                            		
                        

                        

                            Generic Skills:
                            

                        

                    

                

                

                    

                        

                            
                                All - Assessment Task 3:Scene and Annotated Script
                            
                        

                        

                            Goal:
                            
Collaborate to interpret and present a contemporary text as a polished performance.

                        

                        

                            Product:
                            Creative Performance, and Written Piece
                        

                        

                            Authorship Statement:
                            
                        

                        

                            Format:
                            
As a developing theatre practitioner, you will present a well-polished scene as an ensemble member within a small group. This task requires effective collaboration, attention to character development, and performance skills. Students will form groups and select a scene from the list provided. Each group will interpret, rehearse and perform their polished scenes (including props and costume) for the class in Week 12. 
Individually, you will also submit an annotated script and a short reflection on the process of 500 words. You will be marked individually.

                        

                        

                            Criteria:
                            
                                

                                    
                                        

                                            No.
                                            
                                            Learning Outcome assessed
                                        

                                    
                                    
                                            

                                                1
                                                
Communicate dramatic meaning through an interpretation of a contemporary text

                                                
                                                        3
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                2
                                                
Demonstrate effective physical energy, presence and connection

                                                
                                                        2
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                3
                                                
Demonstrate effective postural alignment and connection to breath and resonance

                                                
                                                        2
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                4
                                                
Demonstrate effective collaboration and clear creative and academic written expression

                                                
                                                        3
                                                
                                            

                                    
                                

                            		
                        

                        

                            Generic Skills:
                            

                        

                    

                

        

    

    

        

            

                
Directed study hours

                
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

            

        

    


    

        

            

                
What resources do I need to undertake this course?

                

                    Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
                

            


            

                
Prescribed text(s) or course reader

                    
There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

            

        


        

            

                
Specific requirements

                    
Workshops will require students to wear comfortable clothing that allows for unrestricted movement. In addition, students need to provide their own props and costumes for Assessment Task 3 as well as committing to group rehearsals outside of workshops.

            

        

    


    

        

            
How are risks managed in this course?

            
Risk assessments have been performed for all studio and laboratory classes and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risk concerns may include equipment, instruments, and tools; as well as manual handling items within the laboratory. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

        

    


    

        
What administrative information is relevant to this course?


        

            

                
Assessment: Academic Integrity

                
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

            

        


        

            

                
Assessment: Additional Requirements

                
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

            

        


        

            

                
Assessment: Submission penalties

                
Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.
The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

            

        


        

            

                
Links to relevant University policy and procedures

                
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

            

        


        

            

                
Student Charter

                
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful.  The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

            

        


        

            

                
General Enquiries

                
For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  
For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

            

        

    







    

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