Drama

Exam Board - Edexcel

Qualification - A Level

 

Intent:

A-level Drama and Theatre Studies is an exciting course with a practical focus which challenges students to develop knowledge and understanding of theatre performance, design, directing, analysis and evaluation, as well as transferable skills of empathy, teamwork, problem-solving and presentation.

Over the course, students create their work, perform and design play texts and visit professional theatres to evaluate the work of others as well as studying the work of influential theatre practitioners.

 

Implementation:

The implementation of this course is through the same structure as the edexcel GCSE syllabus with the students developing their drama pedagogy looking at practitioners and an array of scripts.

Component 1 – Devising (40%)

In this component, students will develop their creative and exploratory skills to devise an original performance. The starting point for this devising process will be an extract from a performance text and an influential theatre practitioner. The assessment takes the form of a written portfolio of evidence analysing and evaluating the devising process, plus a performance or design realisation of the devised piece.

Component 2 – Text in Performance (20%)

There are two areas of focus. 

• A monologue or a duologue performance/design realisation from one key extract from one performance text. 
• A group performance/design realisation of one key extract from a different performance text. 

The assessment takes the form of a performance in front of an external examiner. 

Component 3 – Theatre Makers in Practice (40%)

There are three areas to be covered: 

• A live theatre evaluation 
• Page to stage: realisation of a complete performance text 
• Interpreting one complete performance text, in light of one practitioner for a contemporary audience

The assessment takes the form of a written exam.

The course is taught by experienced specialist practitioners.  Assignments are set at regular intervals throughout the course and a very high level of student involvement is expected in all areas.  Performances are especially important, and it is expected that evening rehearsals and performances will take priority over work or social commitments.

 

Impact:

Past students of this course have gone on to study a range of subjects at university, and A level Drama and Theatre is valued by both universities and drama schools.In addition to this, the transferable skills developed throughout the course also enable students to progress into a range of employment in the creative industries, business and education.

 

Students can progress from this qualification to:

• Drama schools, university courses that relate directly to drama and theatre.
• University courses that will benefit from the skills acquired from this A Level for example are law, human resources and people management.
• Employment where people skills are essential, for example management, retail, nursing, industry and business environments.
• Employment where time management, confidence, the ability to work collaboratively and to meet deadlines are desirable.