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Drama & Theatre
Why choose this subject?
An A-Level in Drama and Theatre introduces the study of plays, practitioners, performance and design skills. You will devise original performance pieces and perform play texts in front of visiting audiences and you will develop an understanding of the background of these texts, to help you to understand the social, cultural and historical context. If you enjoy devising, performing or designing within the theatre then this course could be for you! Students with a clear passion, enthusiasm and determination to challenge themselves are welcome! You will also develop and improve life skills such as resilience, creativity, collaboration, empathy, problem solving and independence.
What will you study?
Component 1: You will devise and create an original performance piece. You will use one key extract from an existing performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli. You can be assessed as either performer or a designer within this component.
Component 2: You will work as part of a group to bring one key extract from a performance text to life. You can be assessed within this extract as either a performer or a designer. You will also be required to perform or design monologue or duologue from one key extract from a different performance text.
Component 3: Written examination which includes a live theatre evaluation. You will visit the theatre and discuss your experience of a live production as an audience member. You will complete practical exploration and study of a complete performance text – focusing on how this can be realised for performance. You will complete practical exploration and interpretation of another complete performance text, in light of a chosen theatre practitioner – focusing on how this text could be reimagined for a contemporary audience.
How is this course assessed?
Component 1:
- A portfolio (60 marks)
- The devised performance/design realisation (20 marks)
Component 2:
- Group performance/design realisation (36 marks)
- Monologue or duologue/design realisation (24 marks)
Component 3:
- Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 40% of the qualification (80 marks)
The written exam is split into 3 sections.
Section A - Live Theatre: You will answer one extended response question. Your response will require you to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance. You will be allowed to bring in notes.
Section B - Page to Stage - Realising a Performance Text: You will answer two extended response questions based on an unseen extract from the performance text you have studied. You will demonstrate how you, as a theatremaker, intend to realise the extract in performance. You will answer from the perspective of a performer and a designer.
Section C - Interpreting a Performance Text: You will answer one extended response question from a choice of two based on an unseen named section from our chosen performance text. You will demonstrate how your re-imagined production concept will communicate ideas to a contemporary audience. You will also need to outline how the work of our chosen theatre practitioner has influenced your overall production concept and demonstrate an awareness of the performance text in its original performance conditions.
Drama Intent
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
The intent of our drama curriculum reflects the schools’ values: perseverance, character, hope.
- To develop safe, supportive and inclusive classroom environments which allows students to take risks, learn from mistakes and build hope and aspirations for the future.3
- To promote the importance of showing perseverance; becoming resilient and independent learners who can rise to individual challenges allowing them to build their own character and hope.
- To encourage students to creatively and practically explore various stimuli using performance skills which focus upon a range of cultural, moral and spiritual issues.
- To inspire students to successfully develop their character working both independently and collaboratively with their peers to foster confidence in their own ability developing.4
- To encourage students to embrace new opportunities, allowing them to recognise the importance of participation in a wide range of activities, preparing them for life beyond education.
- To nurture academic habits such as critical analysis, self-reflection and peer assessment whilst developing original material. The development of these skills are relevant and applicable to wider academic subjects and life beyond education.6
- Through evaluation and critical analysis we provide a foundation for students to secure their knowledge within the subject alongside developing their literacy and numeracy skills which can be applied across the wider curriculum.
3 Galatians 3:26 – ‘In Jesus you are all children of God through faith.’
4 Ephesians 4:32 ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’
6 Psalm 24:1– ‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it’
What next?
In addition to the performing arts specific content, this qualification provides learners with the opportunity to develop all-round transferable skills such as self-confidence, self-presentation, personal discipline, time management and organisation skills which are highly regarded by higher education and employers.
