Part One: Creating and performing drama

1 The performer’s tools: Body and voice
1.1 Warm-ups
1.2 Body language: Expression, gesture and interpretation
1.3 Mime: Creating illusion through use of the body
1.4 Voice in performance
1.5 Performance task: Images of Australia

2 Improvisation: Spontaneous performance
2.1 An overview of improvisation
2.2 The skills of improvisation
2.3 Character types and status in improvisation
2.4 The elements of drama
2.5 Improvisation exercises
2.6 Playback theatre
2.7 Performance task: Improvisation

3 The elements of drama: A framework
3.1 What are the elements of drama?
3.2 The human context
3.3 Tension and focus: the engine of drama
3.4 Language, movement, symbol, place and mood: Communicating through the elements of drama
3.5 Performance task: Creating dramatic meaning

4 Playbuilding: Devised performance
4.1 The playbuilding process
4.2 Playbuilding structures
4.3 Highlighting dramatic moments using focus
4.4 Scene transitions
4.5 Creating a character
4.6 Stage spaces and the audience
4.7 Gothic drama
4.8 Performance tasks

Part Two: Directing, designing, playwriting and reviewing theatre

5 Directing and designing: Staging and performing play scripts
5.1 The Director
5.2 The Designers
5.3 The Stage Manager
5.4 The directorial concept and the elements of production
5.5 Script detective work and Stanislavski’s system
5.6 Rehearsing and performing scripts
5.7 Performance task: Interpreting script

6 Playwriting: Creating and writing play scripts
6.1 Playwriting
6.2 Approaches to playwriting
6.3 Contemporary Indigenous Australian drama
6.4 Writing your own scripted drama
6.5 Playwriting task: Australian drama

7 Theatre criticism: Analysing and evaluating performances
7.1 Steps in reviewing a live performance
7.2 Evaluating the components of a performance
7.3 Written task: Review of a performance

Part Three: Dramatic forms and performance styles

8 Melodrama: Just for the thrill
8.1 An overview of melodrama
8.2 Plot and dramatic structure in melodrama
8.3 Characters in melodrama
8.4 The melodrama acting style
8.5 Staging in melodrama
8.6 Performance task: Time running out

9 Comedy: It’s all in the ... timing
9.1 An overview of comedy in performance
9.2 Slapstick: Physical comedy
9.3 Character in slapstick comedy
9.4 Parody: Imitation and exaggeration
9.5 Performance task: Don’t slip on the soap!

10 Political theatre: Raising awareness
10.1 The Purpose of political theatre
10.2 Exploring politics, power and justice
10.3 Documentary drama
10.4 Performance task: Political theatre

11 Physical theatre: Roll up! Roll up!
11.1 Legs on the Wall: A physical theatre company
11.2 Physical theatre exercises
11.3 Performing a physical theatre script
11.4 Performance task: Physical theatre

12 Non-realistic theatre: Visions, dreams and symbols
12.1 An overview of non-realistic theatre
12.2 Dreams and the subconscious
12.3 Expressionist theatre
12.4 Performance task: Non-realistic theatre