Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre through performance and design. Candidates will explore and perform 2 plays and learn about a range of theatre practitioners. They will study one set play, understanding historical and social aspects of the original performance. Students will also visit and learn to evaluate live theatre.
Students will perform a play using the influence of a practitioner. Students will devise and perform their own original production. They will also study a further set play, learning how to direct it and lift it from page to stage, understanding performance and technical elements.
Students are given the opportunity to go to a broad and varied range of theatre performances.
Performing Arts trip offered to New York, to extend and challenge students experience and understanding of theatre in a broader context.
Opportunities to take professional theatre workshops.
Students can take part in acting or backstage in everything from major school productions to house drama competitions.
GCSE Drama at grade 8 - 6 or equivalent.
Component 1: Drama and theatre
What's assessed:
Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre.
Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B.
Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers.
How it's assessed:
Written exam, 3 hours.
Open book.
80 marks, 40% of A Level.
Questions:
Section A: one question (from a choice) on one of the set plays from List A (25 marks).
Section B: one three-part question on a given extract from one of the set plays from List B (30 marks).
Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single liveee theatre production (25 marks).
Component 2: Creating original drama (practical)
What's assessed:
Process of creating devised drama.
Performance of devised drama. Students may contribute as a performer, designer or director. (Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner).
How it's assessed:
Working notebook, 40 marks.
Devised performance, 20 marks.
60 marks in total, 30% of A Level.
This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.
Component 3: Making theatre (practical)
What's assessed:
Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts (extract 1, 2 and 3), each taken from a different play. (Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3. Extract 3 is to be performed as a final assessed piece. Students may contribute as a performer, designer or director).
Reflective report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts.
How it's assessed:
Performance of Extract 3, 40 marks.
Reflective report, 20 marks.
60 marks in total, 30% of A Level.
This component is marked by AQA.
Having studied Drama at A level students will be able to study Drama, Performing Arts, Dramatherapy, Film Studies, Media Studies, Stage Management. Assist students who wish to audition for Drama School.
Possible career options include actor, set designer, lighting designer, theatre director, playwright, stage management, costume designer, barrister, human resources, teacher, broadcasting, journalism and any career that requires creativity and high level inter personal skills.
For more information contact the Head of Department.
Name: Miss Jessica Clark