POLITICAL SATIRE WORKSHOP

Duration:
Various ( 1 Hour - Full Day)
Suitability:
Grades 9 - 12
Available Terms:
Terms 1 - 4
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POLITICAL SATIRE WORKSHOP
Venue: Double Teaching Space, Drama Classroom, Studio, Theatre, Hall

Drawing from a rich history of political comedy, students explore how humour, parody, and exaggeration can challenge authority, amplify underrepresented voices, and interrogate injustice — all while making audiences laugh. From classic theatrical satire to sketch comedy, political memes, and contemporary stand-up, this workshop blends performance with analysis and encourages students to respond artistically to the world around them.

Australian Curriculum Links

Target Years: 7–12
This workshop supports learning across The Arts – Drama, English, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), and General Capabilities.

The Arts – Drama

Years 7–10 | Strands:

  • Developing Understanding and Practices
    ➤ Use satire, parody, caricature, irony, and comedic structure to explore and critique social and political issues
    ➤ Develop characterisation and non-naturalistic performance skills to communicate powerful messages through humour
    (ACADRM043, ACADRM049)
  • Responding and Interpreting
    ➤ Analyse how dramatic forms are used to make political commentary
    ➤ Reflect on how comedy challenges audience perception and provokes critical thinking
    (ACADRR046, ACADRR051)

Senior Secondary – Drama (Years 11–12):

  • Explore satire as a non-naturalistic style within devised performance and scripted works
  • Analyse historical and contemporary examples of political satire
  • Create original scenes that use satire to reflect on real-world issues

English

Years 7–12 | Strands:

  • Language for Interaction / Literature / Literacy
    ➤ Examine how satire uses tone, irony, bias, and rhetorical devices to influence audiences
    ➤ Develop and present satirical texts using comedic conventions, voice, timing, and structure
    (ACELA1553, ACELY1741, ACELT1635, ACELY1811)

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

  • Investigate civics, government, and social justice issues through artistic interpretation
  • Reflect on how satire critiques the use and abuse of power, policy, and privilege
    (ACHCK091, ACHCK094, ACDSEH121)

General Capabilities

Critical and Creative Thinking

  • Analyse complex social and political issues
  • Evaluate how humour can shift perspectives and empower voices
  • Create original satirical responses using irony, exaggeration, and parody

Ethical Understanding

  • Consider the ethics of satire: What’s fair game? What crosses the line?
  • Understand and debate moral boundaries in comedic critique

Personal and Social Capability

  • Build confidence and resilience in developing public voice
  • Collaborate respectfully on sensitive and topical issues
  • Encourage active citizenship through creative engagement

Core Workshop Components & Experiences

  • What Is Satire?
    A crash course in satire’s history — from Aristophanes to Tina Fey, Shakespeare to Shaun Micallef
  • Analysing Contemporary Issues:
    Identifying political and social issues that matter to students (e.g. climate policy, media bias, education, gender, inequality)
  • Satirical Toolkit:
    Learning how to use exaggeration, parody, irony, juxtaposition, stereotypes, and comic timing
  • Creating Satirical Scenes:
    Students devise their own short performances using guided prompts and provocations
  • Subversive Voice:
    Exploring how comedy can express things that are difficult to say directly, and challenge the dominant narrative
  • Styles of Satire Explored:
    – Political cartooning
    – Satirical sketch comedy
    – Theatrical satire (e.g. The Government InspectorUtopiaThe Chaser)
    – Modern stand-up and digital satire (TikTok, YouTube)
  • Performance & Feedback:
    Students perform their satirical pieces in a supportive setting and give/receive constructive feedback from peers

Style and Form

  • Non-Naturalism & Comedy – Brechtian influence, caricature, symbolic staging
  • Satirical Sketch – short-form scenes with clear political focus
  • Improvisation & Ensemble Work – generating rapid, responsive content
  • Devised Theatre – student-led creation based on current events

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, students will:

  • Understand satire as a form of creative protest and social commentary
  • Apply satire and parody techniques in original performance
  • Strengthen their critical thinking and comedic voice
  • Collaborate and debate complex issues through humour
  • Build confidence and public voice by turning opinions into action through art

Workshop Adaptability

Perfect for:

  • Drama units on non-naturalism, political theatre, or comedy
  • English studies of satire and persuasive writing
  • Civics & Citizenship modules
  • Cross-disciplinary collaborations (e.g., HASS/English/Drama)

Adaptable for one-off intensives, in-residence programs, or performance-based assessments.

Devised by: Clint Bolster
Directed by: Clint Bolster

"In today’s workshop with Clint, I saw my Year 11 Drama students be really pushed to the next level with their understanding of Satire, and the development of their script ideas…His knowledge is excellent, his energy is irresistible, his laughter infectious and the way he inspires the students to take risks in their performances is truly brilliant!"★★★★★

Runcorn State High School, QLD