Drama

DRAMA                                                                                  WJEC/Eduqas 

Why study Drama?

Consider taking Drama if you have a love for all things Theatre, Drama and performance! But also consider the life-skills and and transferable skills that studying Drama can develop. This course enables you to develop your confidence, public speaking, team work and resilience skills as well as developing the dramatic techniques studied at KS3. You will be able to create your own work for presentation as well as evaluate the work of others in live performance. In most cases, students who take A Level Drama have studied it at GCSE. 

How is the course organised and assessed?

This course assesses the process of making Drama as well as exploring the final product.  It develops your understanding of drama and theatre, and you study the social, historical and cultural context that surrounds the work.  

Component 1                   Devising Theatre (Non-Exam Assessment, internally assessed, 40%)

You will participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre using EITHER the techniques of an influential practitioner OR a genre, in response to a stimulus chosen by EDUQAS.

You must produce: 

• • A devised performance

  • Supporting evidence

Component 2                   Performing from a text (assessed by a visiting examiner, 20%)

In this unit you will perform 2 extracts from the same text.  This is a text that you will select and study, covering the social, historical and cultural context as well as choosing appropriate lighting, sound and costume where necessary.

Component 3                   Interpreting Theatre (written exam, 1½ hour, 40%)

In lessons we will study one of the following texts both practically and though theory lessons.  In the exam you will be asked to respond as the performer, designer and the director.

• • Macbeth, William Shakespeare

  • An Inspector Calls, J.B. Priestley

  • Find Me, Olwen Wymark

  • Noughts & Crosses, Malorie Blackman

  • Refugee Boy, Benjamin Zephaniah

  • I Love You Mum – I Promise I Won’t Die, Mark Wheeller

  • The IT, Vivienne Franzmann

You will also have ONE question requiring analysis and evaluation of a given aspect of a live production we have seen.  

What are the special features of the course?

You will be expected to attend organised theatre visits out of school time and performance workshops as important preparation for the practical and written examination, as well as drawing on your wider experience of Drama and Theatre.  The course will provide a supported and enjoyable environment in which to take creative risks, work closely in collaboration with others, draw on your wider cultural experiences, and become constructively self-critical.  

Other information

A genuine interest in the qualities of performance, a willingness to read plays and work as an ensemble is essential.

How can I find out more?

See Mrs Hughes (Head of Drama) or the Drama Subject Ambassadors. Have a look at the WJEC/Eduqas website where you will find the specification: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/gcse/WJEC-Eduqas-GCSE-Drama-specification.pdf.pdf?language_id=1