Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Properties) First year Communications and Contexts 1 is made up of five modules: Drafting; Life Drawing;

; Period and Style; Model Making 1 and OH&S. The Drafting module introduces students to technical drawing, its conventions and symbols. Life Drawing introduces the process of analysing and depicting form, proportion and structure. Period and Style looks at a variety of historical and cultural contexts relating to properties. Model Making 1 introduces the important role of models in communicating and resolving the problems of the design and construction of properties. OH&S introduces students to safe work practice in the properties studio and workshop, along with a broader awareness of safety in relation to materials, alternate workspaces and the legislation and procedures that guide this practice. Properties Foundations - introduces students to the essential foundation properties techniques and practices. The subject is made up of seven modules: Sculpture; Mould Making and Casting; Woodwork; Metalwork; Leatherwork; Polymers and Scenic Art. Students look at the tools, materials and essential methodologies related to each of these modules. Students work on practical exercises to complement their theoretical study in each module. Materials, Structures and Mechanics - develops a basic knowledge of materials, structures and mechanics. Students learn to relate their theoretical study to practical exercises in basic engineering, pattern making, hydraulics and electronics. The subject is made up of the following modules: Materials; Statics and Mechanics; Pattern Making; Hydraulics and Electronics. Properties Practice 1 students are assigned roles on NIDA productions. During the course of the year students will work on two productions. Students learn the practice of realising properties to satisfy the requirements of design and performance by working together as a team with a properties supervisor. The subject introduces students to the role played, the problems encountered and the work methods employed by a theatrical properties maker. Performance History (Part 1) - Performance History Part 1 (Classical Performance) and Performance History Part 2 (Modern and Contemporary Performance) are taught in alternate years. This means Part 1 may be taken in a students second year of study, and Part 2 in first year. Performance History Part 1 (Classical Performance) explores a series of major plays, playwrights, styles, spaces and modes of performance from the European classical theatre of Athens in the 5th Century BCE to the nineteenth century. Eastern Classical theatre from Japan, China and India provides a comparative study. Students examine ways in which theatre art and theatre artists suggest meaning and invite interpretation of the human experience. Critical theories specific to theatre will be discussed and then applied to the study of selected play scripts and performances. Arts and Ideas - is made up of two modules: Society in the Arts and Arts in Society. Society in the Arts is an exploration of the ways in which broad forms of knowledge, such as philosophy, science, and religion overlap and interact with and regard art. Visual Arts, Music, Architecture and Literature will be considered in relation to the Performing Arts. Arts in Society explores the ways in which theatre artists have taken an active role in society, and may continue to do so through the form of Applied Theatre. Applied Theatre may include dramatherapy; theatre in education (TIE); theatre for and with special groups (eg. in prisons or with the intellectually disabled); interactive theatre at museums and heritage sites; community theatre; corporate theatre.

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Second year Communications and Contexts 2 looks at the application of basic graphic design techniques and the development of essential Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills. Students learn to use research and documentation to realise properties production. The subject is made up of five modules: Management, OH&S Materials, Computer Aided Design, Film Studies and Graphics. The Management module introduces the tools and methods for managing time and money in the production of properties, as well as basic book keeping for small business. The OH&S Materials module introduces materials safety data sheets as well as how and where they are used. The Computer Aided Design module develops the skills to modify complex drawings, as well as producing simple workshop drawings and templates. Film Studies looks at film and examines the use of properties and models within film. Graphics introduces basic graphic design tools, software and techniques used in the production of properties. Properties Development builds on the foundation work of first year, extending the students' knowledge and understanding of properties practice. Students develop a deeper understanding of materials, tools and techniques through the construction of assigned works. These assigned works are in Joinery, Upholstery, Furniture, Sculpture, Architectural Models and Film Models. Effects and Aesthetics looks at specialised properties effects and aesthetics. Students learn to research and apply suitable methodologies to the creation of structurally sound and functional specialised properties. The subject is made up of modules on Prosthetics, Mask Making, Set Dressing and Puppetry. Properties Practice 2 builds on student knowledge and skills to further develop the practice of prop making and the associated collaborative team skills. The majority of work in this subject is studio based. Students work on four major projects with only one of these for a performance production. The Static project requires students to develop a creative concept then make a large sculptural piece from rigid foam which is scenically finished. The Dynamic project has movement as its focus and is created by the student in response to a creative theme. The Spatial project requires students to create and dress a three dimensional environment in explicit detail in order to capture a moment in time not unlike that of a single frame of film. For the Theatrical project students realise the designs produced for the physical theatre production and the plays of the NIDA post graduate student directors. Performance History (Part 2) Performance History Part 1 (Classical Performance) and Performance History Part 2 (Modern and Contemporary Performance) are taught in alternate years. This means Part 1 may be taken in a students second year of study, and Part 2 in first year. Performance History Part 2 (Modern and Contemporary Performance) explores the rapidly changing forms of performance, plays, playwrights, spaces and practices from the midnineteenth century to the present day. This subject surveys major plays, playwrights, production and performance theory of European and American Performance, with one term devoted to Australian Theatre. The impact of traditional Asian theatre practice on modern and contemporary performance is also discussed along with examples of inter-cultural performance, and performance from other cultures not specified above in close consultation with the Production and Project Programs. (Each year the course is adapted and modified to complement the practical work of the students wherever possible.) Performance practices are explored within the context of their social, political and cultural backgrounds. Third year Properties Masterwork - is designed to consolidate first and second year work. The subject focuses on a major applied research project. Students define their own creative brief for the realisation of a Masterwork through a consultative process with the Head of Course. From this brief students undertake a research and development process that explores the materials or processes to be investigated in the final realisation of the Masterwork. From this brief the Masterwork is created in the studio under the guidance of tutors. The Masterwork forms a key

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component of the students folio of work to market their talent and skills to potential employers. Properties Practice 3 aims to consolidate and extend first and second year production work. Students work on two NIDA productions where they develop an understanding of the practice of supervising the realisation of properties to satisfy the requirements of design and performance. Students work as a team supervisor, managing and directing a team of first year prop makers and assistants in the production of properties for the third year production program. Observation and Industry Practice Students undertake a professional placement that reflects specific interests of the individual student and relates to their studies. The secondment placement is chosen to either open out the students career options or to give them professional experience in the area which they wish to pursue professionally. The student is supervised by a senior member of the seconding organisation. The process is monitored by the Head of Course and the supervisor is encouraged to expose the student to a wide range of experiences including those elements that inform the realisation of the creative process. For example workshop meetings, production meetings, experimentation, site/set visit(s), rehearsals etc.The secondment may be to museums, film production, television, event, festival, theatre, dance, opera production or similar companies.

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