This course is offered as a linear A-Level. Students of Drama and Theatre Studies will develop a knowledge and understanding of theatre practice through their own engagement with the medium as both participant and informed audience member. Candidates will develop performance and/or production skills appropriate to the creation and realisation of Drama and Theatre. They should be able to work well with others, have a genuine interest in theatre, sound academic qualifications and have a high degree of self‐motivation.
A-Level Drama and Theatre will be assessed through a combination of a 40% written exam and 60% Non-Examined Assessment (NEA).
Drama and Theatre can provide a stepping stone for a number of higher educational courses and careers. Obviously, it is an essential A-Level for any student who is serious about pursuing a career within the Performing Arts, whether on stage or off. However, it should also be an attractive option for many other students, especially as there is a high written academic focus.
A recent survey of Russell Group universities showed that a very high percentage of Law students – in some cases as many as 100% – had studied Theatre Studies at A-Level. It is one of the few subjects where students are assessed on their ability to work within a group, such an important skill in the majority of jobs in the 21st century. Employers are looking for graduates who ‘stand out’, who can offer something different and who have high degrees of emotional intelligence, communication skills or creativity.
Students can participate in theatre visits, professional practitioner workshops and will be able to access extra support at lunchtimes and after school. Students will be guaranteed an opportunity to participate in our school productions.
5 GCSEs 9 – 5 including English Language and Literature. Reliability and sociability are key to success in the practical unit.
Specifications require students to demonstrate a practical understanding of at least five plays across the two years, although we would always seek to do more. These form the basis of practical interpretation for several assessed performances.
The students also complete an assessed performance which is devised original work by the group. Students must also study the work and methodologies of several influential theatre practitioners, like Brecht and Stanislavski.
The Examination Board for this course is AQA.
Lessons are a healthy combination of practical learning supported by the necessary academic theory needed to understand the work being studied. Learning takes place through the following: practical workshops, researching background material on a playwright, written research (social/ cultural/ historical/ political), rehearsal of a production, participating in improvisation, devised work and class discussion. These methods increase understanding of the subject and provide students with more detail and substance for their work.
The style of homework varies according to the unit of exam work. Research, essay writing and rehearsals are all integral to the course. Private study and rehearsal outside of the five hours of timetabled lessons are expected, due to the high demands of the course and are key to securing success.
