Kaiapoi High School Kaiapoi High School

Level 2 Drama

L2DRAM
Course Description

Head of Faculty/Teacher in Charge: Mr B. Morrison, Mrs C. Breen.

Recommended Prior Learning

To be accepted for this course, students must have earned 12 or more credits in Level 1 Drama, or have received HOF approval.

Level 2 Drama – Next Level Skills, Next Level Fun

If you loved Drama in Year 10 or 11 — or just want to boost your confidence and creativity — Level 2 Drama is where it gets real (and really fun). This is your chance to step up your acting game, create powerful performances, and dive deeper into what makes theatre tick.

You'll get to:

  • Analyse how theatre connects with the real world
  • Build characters using legit acting techniques
  • Devise your own scenes from scratch
  • Explore a cool theatre style from history (and try it yourself!)
  • Perform in a full-class production
  • Work solo and with a team — onstage and behind the scenes

Drama at Level 2 isn’t just for future actors. It’s for anyone who wants to:
✔ Speak with confidence
✔ Think creatively
✔ Lead, collaborate, and communicate like a pro
✔ Have a blast while learning practical skills that actually matter

Whether you want a career in the arts, media, business, teaching, or just want to get better at being you, Level 2 Drama gives you the tools to shine.

Come for the performance. Stay for the life skills.


Why Choose Drama? A Smart Step Toward Your Child’s Future

At Kaiapoi High School, Drama is more than just performing on stage — it’s a powerful tool for developing life and career-ready skills. Whether your child dreams of the spotlight or not, Drama helps them grow into confident, capable, and creative young adults.

Here’s what Drama builds:

  • Confidence & Communication: Through performance, students learn how to speak clearly, think quickly, and present themselves — essential skills for interviews, leadership roles, and all kinds of public interaction.

  • Teamwork & Empathy: Drama is all about working with others, listening, supporting peers, and understanding different perspectives — skills highly valued in any workplace.

  • Creative & Critical Thinking: Students explore new ideas, problem-solve in real-time, and adapt to changing situations — preparing them for innovative careers in a fast-changing world.

  • Self-Management & Resilience: From rehearsing lines to performing in front of peers, students develop discipline, perseverance, and the ability to handle feedback — key qualities for long-term success.

Career relevance? Absolutely. Drama supports pathways into:

  • Film, TV, theatre and media production

  • Event management, advertising and marketing

  • Law, teaching, journalism, counselling, and public service

  • Any career needing confident, clear communication and strong interpersonal skills

Invest in your future confidence, creativity, and communication — Drama is a smart choice.

Course Overview

What is taught in courses varies from year to year. This course could include:
1. Interpreting an open script in pairs and applying drama techniques to show this in performance.

2. Using the devising process to create, craft, and perform an original performance.

3. The study of the Greek Theatre, Elizabethan Theatre or Theatre of the Absurd Theatre Form and performance of an Absurdist, Greek Theatre or Shakespearean scene.

4. Students will perform in the Level 2 class production (performance of a play) for an invited audience.

5. Students will sit an external exam based on the live performances they see throughout the year.

Faculties:

The Arts


Assessment Information

The course is achievement-standard-based.

Students will complete THREE performance standards, including:
* Theatre Form (Shakespeare, Greek Theatre, Brecht or Theatre of the Absurd) (2.4)
* Class production (NZ Theatre) (2.6)
* Techniques performance focused on the use of voice, body, movement and space to create and sustain a character (2.1)

Students will complete ONE devising standard where they create and perform an original drama.

Students will complete ONE analysis assessment (external 2.7) where they watch and analyse the application of Drama components in a live performance.

Pathway

Level 3 Drama

Drama is an approved NCEA course at levels 1, 2, and 3, as well as a University Entrance (UE) approved course. Students taking L3 Drama can also choose to sit Scholarship Drama.

Drama teaches key life skills that benefit students wanting to work in any industry that requires communication and collaboration. This includes youth work, teaching, journalism, sales and marketing, and any communication-based career. For talented students, there are growing opportunities in the film industry for actors, writers, dancers, choreographers, designers, and technical fields, such as costume, set, lighting design, and production.

Career Pathways

Actor, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Artistic Director, Film and Video Editor, Sound Technician, Author, Dancer, Entertainer, Film/Television Camera Operator, Journalist, Communications Professional, Editor, Make-up Artist, Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Radio Presenter, Media Producer, Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Private Teacher/Tutor, Television Presenter



			
					
					Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
										
There will be at least two trips away to view a live production. These are likely to incur a small expense.

										

								


				





    

        
Disclaimer

        
Please note that courses will go ahead only if student numbers, staffing, and timetabling allow it.  Where a subject is oversubscribed, and there are insufficient numbers or resources to create an extra class, a ballot system may be applied.  
Costs
KHS aims to deliver educational courses over and above that which is funded by the Ministry, however parental contribution for the costs of trips and activities where participation is optional, and/or components not covered by the Government grant may be requested, and we appreciate the financial support our families make to the School.