Advanced Higher Drama
DURATION
1 Year / 320 Hours
COURSEWORK
Dissertation 30%
Assignment 20%
EXAM
Question Paper 50%
COST
No Cost
What will you learn?
The course enables candidates to explore both the practical and analytical aspects of drama. Candidates investigate how professional theatre practice has been shaped by influential theatre practitioners.
In the Drama Skills Unit, learners will undertake the dramatic interpretation and analysis of a key theatre practitioner through exploration of methodologies, theatre practices and/or texts in a practical way: individually, they will create and communicate their own theatrical statement. The learners will use a variety of devising and directing concepts to explore how meaning can be communicated to an audience.
In the Drama: Production Skills Unit, learners will research the performance and directorial theories of a key practitioner(s). The emphasis of the exploration will be from the perspective of a chosen production area as either
: ¨ an actor (acting)
or:
¨ a director (directing)
or:
¨ a designer (designing lighting/sound/multi-media/set/costume/ make-up/props) Learners will then, within their chosen production area, develop and apply complex production skills in taking a textual extract to a performance concept. This application will be informed by the work of a selected practitioner(s)
Why do this course?
The course has an integrated approach to learning, giving candidates the opportunity to develop practical and evaluative skills, as well as knowledge and understanding of professional theatre practice and influential practitioners. Candidates explore, develop and communicate ideas and performance concepts in theatre through acting, directing, or designing. Candidates devise drama and interpret complex texts using their understanding of form, style, structure and genre. They study the work of influential theatre practitioners to inform and communicate their theatrical concept to an audience
What will you experience?
Candidates choose influential practitioners to explore social and theatrical context, background, influences, theories, and methodologies. They will take part in a range of activities such as: research, practical workshops and prepared presentations. Candidates can present their research by using available technologies to communicate their knowledge and understanding of aspects of practitioners’ work.
Key Facts
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
Homework
Homework will be set by the class teacher on a regular basis, this will be available on TEAMs. Activities set may include practice of a practical skill, preparation for assessment or research for an assignment.
Assessment
Three elements will make up your overall assessment:
Component 1: project–dissertation 30 marks (self selected topic and ongoing investigation)
Project–dissertation Candidates identify a performance issue. They research relevant and current performance theories and practice, and communicate their findings in a dissertation. The dissertation must reference at least one influential theatre practitioner.
Component 2: assignment – 20 marks (1 Hour and 30 minutes exam write up on a production from the SQA set question)
Candidates analyse a professional theatrical production and the work of at least one theatre practitioner (actor, director, and/or designer) involved in the production, in an extended response. The analysis could be of a live performance, a live-streamed performance, a recorded ‘live’ theatrical performance or a historical performance.
Pupils must be prepared to present their work to an audience.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Entry is at the discretion of the Principal Teacher Faculty, Performing Arts. However, as a guide:
Pass (A-C) at Higher Drama
Component 3: performance exam – 50 marks – 2x acting pieces. 1 x interactive 18 mins (30 marks) 1 x monologue 3 minutes (20 marks)
Actor Candidates perform to an audience. They perform two acting roles — one interactive and one monologue. Each role must be from a different play. The monologue must be from one part of the play. A longer speech can be edited to meet the approximate 3 minute requirement. No other actors are allowed on stage.
Director Candidates must prepare a substantial extract, for example an act, from their chosen play. On the day of the performance, the visiting assessor selects approximately three consecutive pages for the candidate to direct in a rehearsal lasting approximately 35 minutes. It is not advisable for candidates to direct actors who are performing the same scene for their own assessment.
Progression and Employment
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
Progression
Advanced Higher drama is of value to those wanting to pursue a career in the creative industries, performing arts, arts management or continue their study of theatre at higher education or application to drama/ theatre training institutions.
More generally it would also support applications to a range of further or higher education courses: teaching, law, medicine, psychology, police/ criminology, advertising & marketing etc. plus courses with formal presentation, human interaction and engagement, cultural sensitivity and behaviour at their core.
This course encourages candidates to use skills essential for success in many fields. Through the drama process they exercise their imagination and creativity. They develop important skills, attitudes, and attributes including creativity and adaptability, learning independently, critical thinking, perseverance and resilience.
A range of drama-related Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and/or Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)
¨ degrees in drama and related disciplines
¨ careers in the creative industries
