Drama – KS4

Students follow the AQA specification for GCSE drama. We start off by studying the set text: Things I Know to Be True, which is approached practically. Students will learn the social, cultural and historical context of the play along with understanding the different ways that theatre makers communicate meaning through use of vocal and physical skills, staging, and design.

Dramatists will then watch a live theatre production, learning how to describe, analyse and evaluate the work of live theatre makers. In addition, students will apply relevant social, cultural and historical context to their interpretation, conduct independent research into the play, and developing an understanding of:

• plot and characters;
• specific features of style and genre of the production;
• staging configurations;
• production choices.

Towards the end of Year 10, students will work as part of a group to create original drama. They will learn how to create and develop ideas to communicate meaning in a devised theatrical performance. They will use the knowledge and understanding developed since the beginning of the course to:

• conduct research;
• develop ideas;
• collaborate with others;
• rehearse, refine and amend their work-in-progress;
• analyse and evaluate their work.

To accompany the performance, students will produce a written journal documenting the devising and rehearsal process as well as evaluating their final performance. Students will present their work to a live audience.

Into Year 11 we move onto the final component of the course: Texts in Practice. Students will explore a range of professionally produced plays, such as:

• Shakers
• The Woman Who Killed Her Husband
• Dumb Waiter
• That Face
• Chatroom
• Pronoun
• Girls Like That

Dramatists can choose to be assessed as a performer or designer; lesson-time will be spent workshopping and rehearsing an extract from their chosen play before they perform for a live audience and a visiting examiner from AQA.