Drama & Theatre (A Level)
Your Ticket to Extraordinary
Drama and Theatre at A Level will develop your creative and critical theatre skills whilst deepening your knowledge and understanding of drama. You will improve your communication skills through academic analysis and your creative and practical skills through performance.
CURRICULUM INFORMATION (Drama and theatre)
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WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?
Component 1: Drama & Theatre (40%). Written examination.
Section A: One question on the first of two texts 'A Servant to Two Masters'
Section B: Three questions on the second set text 'Yerma'
Section C: An evaluation of a piece of Live Theatre viewed by the students.
Component 2: Creating Original Drama (30%). Internally Assessed
In groups you will create a piece of Drama influenced by the work and methodologies of a prescribed practitioner of theatre company.
Alongside this devised performance, students will produce a working notebook accounting and evaluating the creation of original drama.
Component 3: Making Theatre (30%). Externally Assessed.
Students will practically explore and interpret three extracts, each taken from a different play from different periods of theatre.
The third extract must be rehearsed using the methodologies of a prescribed practitioner and will be performed to an external examiner.
Students will also be required to produce a Reflective Report accounting the exploration of all three extracts.
To study a specified 10-15 minute extract from a third contrasting performance text:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ASSESSED?
The syllabus offers you a balanced and enjoyable mix of opportunities to study Drama and Theatre from performing, directing, design and technical perspectives. You will explore set plays from different eras, visit the theatre regularly and work in groups to interpret plays and devise performance pieces.
Assessment
Paper 1: Drama and Theatre
External written examination on set texts and live theatre, 40% of A Level
Performance 1: Creating Original Drama
Practical and written coursework, 30% of A Level
Paper 3: Making Theatre
Practical examination and reflective report, 30% of A Level
WHICH OTHER SUBJECTS GO WELL WITH Drama & Theatre?
You can (and students do) choose to do Drama and Theatre with a wide range of other subjects. It fits well with other creative subjects and with the humanities. It also works well with topics that study attitudes and human behaviour, such as Philosophy & Ethics, languages, sociology and psychology.
AND AFTER THE COURSE?
Students move onto a plethora of destinations, including advancing their studies in Drama and English Literature, Psychology, Film and Television Production, Acting, Design for Performance, Liberal Arts, etc.
WHICH EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS WILL I LEARN?
We build knowledge and train skills that enable you to be confident practitioners within the subject area
You will learn to apply the many varied and transferable skills within our subject to a wide variety of vocations, jobs and roles
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT Drama and Theatre
A: Drama is the study of this one art form, pure and simple. We study texts from ancient to modern times, develop skills in acting, explore different styles of theatre and learn from watching live theatre productions. Drama is an academic A level which includes a written exam and live performance exams which are both internally and externally assessed. We promote a love and enquiry into the subject, developing both independence and a team ethos through fun but challenging content.
Q: What is the proportion of practical to theory study in A level drama and theatre?
A: 60% of your mark will be assessed by written work, either by examination or supporting written log based on your practical work. 40% of your mark is based on your practical work. We teach the course as practically as we can, as the written work involves exploring theoretical concepts and play texts through practical work in class.
Q: What can studying A level drama lead to?
A: Our students are attracted by both a love of performing and designing to take up the study of drama; some will have ambitions to act for a career and will audition for drama school, more will choose to study drama (and perhaps another course) at university and this can lead to careers in theatre directing, play writing, theatre design, dramatherapy, teaching and communications. Other students will go on to study any of the broad range of subjects which the college offers at A level, having benefited greatly from the self-confidence and social skills which they developed often due to the experience of collaborating in group work and performing in their drama class.
Q: What if I haven’t studied drama at GCSE?
A: We do not require our students to have a qualification in GCSE drama (although many do), as we are confident that we can teach you the skills needed to both act and write about drama at A level. Don’t worry if you don’t have lots of experience, it’s talent and enthusiasm that matters!
Q: Why do I have to do an audition?
A: We run an audition to check all our students’ level of ability, as we are really keen to ensure that they have the necessary skills to do well in the course.
Hear from some of our students
Careers and Labour Market Information
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