Objects used as props are probably the easiest way for drama students to understand and implement symbol in theatre performances. Objects become symbolic when we give them context via plot, characters and themes. A simple prop can suddenly become significant and represent something beyond its literal meaning. These are often abstract, such as a concept or quality, usually linked by association or resemblance.
Below is a list of 50 common objects with their symbolic meaning(s). Reasons vary as to why particular objects are symbolic of certain abstract ideas, though it is usually steeped in history, religion and culture.
Hand up if you have struggled to teach the language of Shakespeare to teenagers in drama class? Keep your hand up if the boys in your class were disengaged after the first five minutes because they thought the greatest playwright who ever lived was a total bore? Looks like you may need to watch this…
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority has just published the 2013 VCE Drama Solo Performance Examination. This is relevant to local readers of The Drama Teacher only, though teachers elsewhere may be interested in the nature of this exam for their own purposes.
Last Friday evening I attended Top Acts, the final event in the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s Season of Excellence program, at The Palais, St. Kilda. As usual, this concert was a combination of Victorian Certificate of Education 2011 performance examination pieces, selected from the various Top Class Drama, Theatre Studies, Music and Dance (including VET) concerts. Focusing…
The results are in for your favourite Shakespeare play and voting has now closed. The poll opened on January 15 and closed yesterday on April 23, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Nearly 3,000 votes were cast by readers of The Drama Teacher from all corners of the globe. Top 10 Favourite Shakespeare Plays Romeo and Juliet (415…
Final year Victorian students sat the VCE Drama written examination on Wednesday. It is always a nervous wait for students who have recently undertaken a solo performance practical examination in this subject, who are now keen to finish up as quickly as possible with their final exam in this study. This year represents the first of a revised…
This post is directly relevant for VCE Drama Unit 4 teachers in Victoria, as their students prepare the final stages of the solo performance examinations. Here is a useful checklist of last-minute items for yourself and/or your students. Solo Performance Checklist the stem dot point 1 dot point 2 dot point 3 (dot point 4…
