Section 1: Theatre Production - Text in Context (20 marks)

Pupils study a dramatic text, developing a deep understanding of the play and the social, historical and cultural contexts that influenced the drama. The set text studied at Ellon Academy is the Greek tragedy 'Antigone' by Sophocles. 

Pupils choose one question to answer from the perspective of either an actor, director or designer. They are required to analyse the text, demonstrating knowledge of the play content and context, as well as how the text could be communicated to an audience through a performance. Pupils are required to memorise and use appropriate quotations and/or textual references, such as stage directions. This question is answered in a structured essay.

Section 2: Theatre Production - Application (10 marks)

Pupils answer structured questions to demonstrate their understanding and application of the role of a designer,  actor, or director can be applied to the set text. In this section, pupils need to use a wide range of drama terminology. 

Section 3: Performance Analysis (20 marks)

Pupils watch a live/recorded professional performance and analyse the impact of the acting and design choices on the audience. The question requires pupils to analyse 10 key moments of the production, demonstrating an understanding the impact of acting and design choices on the audience. This question is answered in a structured essay.

Section 1: Preparation for Performance 

All pupils complete a 500 word essay prior to the performance. The assessment on their preparation for their performance includes: 

•  Research into their chosen texts.

• The processes (the development and progression) of the acting, directing or design concepts.

All candidates must demonstrate skills by exploring a text (or texts for actors) from the perspective of one of the following production roles:  

• actor

• director 

• designer 

Section 2: Performance

Pupils prepare a concept for their chosen text(s) from full-length published plays.  

Actor Candidates:

Pupils perform two interactive acting roles, each from a different play, to a live audience.

Director Candidates:

Pupils prepare approximately eight pages from their chosen text. On the day of the performance, the visiting assessor selects approximately two pages for the candidate to direct in a rehearsal lasting 30 minutes. It is not advisable for candidates to direct actors who are performing the same scene for their own assessment. 

Designer Candidates:

Pupils demonstrate their overall set design concept for their chosen play and apply skills for an additional production role from one of the following: 

• lighting 

• sound

• props

• costume

• make-up and hair. 

Skills, knowledge and understanding included in the course are appropriate to the SCQF level of the course. The SCQF level descriptors give further information on characteristics and expected performance at each SCQF level, and can be found on the SCQF website.