Higher Drama

WHy STUDY DRAMA?

Higher Drama helps you develop essential skills for learning, life, and work in the modern world and supports your personal growth.

It is also a recommended subject for pupils looking to venture into Law, and a desired subject for Medicine.

What careers can I work in?

Drama offers a variety of career pathways.

Find out more

What jobs use drama?

Many modern day jobs utilise key skills developed in Drama.

Find out more

🎭 Course outline for HIGHER Drama 🎭

In this course, you will be assessed in 60% practical skills and 40% Theory.

Written Exam

This is worth 40% of your final grade. The written paper has three sections. Throughout the year, you will study a set text from a published playwright as well as analysing a live theatrical performance.

Performance Exam

This is worth 50% of your final grade. This takes place towards the end of the course. A visiting assessor comes to examine your performances, as an actor, designer, or director.

Preparation for Performance

This is worth 10% of your grade. This is a 500 word essay which describes how you prepared for your final performance, as an actor or as a designer.

🎭 PRACTICAL EXAM PREPARATION 🎭

ACTORS

- - You will present two extracts with contrasting characters.
  - These are presented to an external examiner around Easter time and we work on these for the whole year.
  - You are assessed on the following criteria as an actor:
    - Understanding of character
    - Portrayal (ability to sustain the role)
    - Voice skills
    - Movement skills
    - Impact on the audience
This is supported by a Preparation for Performance Essay.

DIRECTORS

Do you prefer to lead a rehearsal and bring a vision to life?

As a director, you will:

Study 1 play over the year, focusing on 8 pages of text to bring to life.
The visiting examiner will choose 2 pages for you to get a cast of your choosing to bring to life.
The examiner watches your rehearsal and you finish with the cast performing those 2 pages.
You are assessed on the following criteria as a director:
- Understanding of the text
- Direction of Movement
- Direction of Voice
- Interaction with the cast
- Impact of direction
This is supported by a Preparation for Performance Essay.

DESIGNERS

Fancy working as a theatre designer? Here's what you would do:

You study 1 play of your choosing over the year. You design the set for the entire play and show this through ground plans.
You also choose one other production skill for the same play and also plan for this.
Your practical exam is to show the visiting assessor the culmination of your work over the year in a presentation which demonstrates your research, journey and practical skills.
This is supported by a Preparation for Performance essay.

You are assessed on the following criteria as a designer:

- - - - Ideas Development (set design): from initial thoughts, research and designs through to a final concept.
      - Design Concept (Set Design): should take into account the performance space, time period, location, interpretation of themes and relevant environmental aspects.
      - Ground Plans (set design): Produce working and FINAL designs – which MUST include ground plans and elevated drawings which are to scale.
      - Additional production role (costume, props, lighting, sound, makeup/hair) response to text.
      - Additional production role (costume, props, lighting, sound, makeup/hair) practical skills.

You study 1 play of your choosing over the year. You design the SET for the entire play and show this through ground plans.
You also choose one other production skill for the same play and also plan for this.
Your practical exam is to show the visiting assessor the culmination of your work over the year in a presentation which demonstrates your research, journey and practical skills.
This is supported by a Preparation for Performance essay.

🎭 WRITTEN EXAM 🎭

The theory exam for Higher Drama is split into three sections. Throughout the year, you will study a published play (set text) which will prepare you for Section 1 and 2.

You will also analyse a live, theatrical professional performance. This will help you prepare for Section 3 of the exam.

SECTION 1

You will answer questions as either a director, actor or designer.

This paper is asking you how you would have this play performed if you were putting on that production.

This section requires you to show your knowledge and understanding of the text and the wider context it was written in.

SECTION 2

This is very similar to the style of question you have in the National 5 drama exam – it is very much terminology based.

This section asks you to focus on a specific moment of the play and explain how you would bring that moment to life, using your knowledge of design, directing and acting concepts.

SECTION 3

- - - This is the performance analysis section. You will study a professional performance, looking at all of the elements which brought it to life:
      - Choice and use of performance space
      - Director’s intentions and effectiveness
      - Acting and development of characters
      - Design concepts and their effectiveness.

🎭 META-SKILLS YOU DEVELOP IN DRAMA🎭

Choosing Higher Drama will allow you to develop all of the meta-skills, which will help you become a creative and adaptable learner, promoting your success for the future, whilst also making you stand out in the job market, as someone who can creatively collaborate and think outside of the box.

Who should pick HIGHER Drama?

National 5 Drama pupils who pass with a B or above.
Students who have been part of productions outside of school, and achieved an A at National 5 English.

Pupils who are willing to collaborate and learn from others in the process.
Pupils who are interested in the performing arts industry or further pathways which utilise the skills you develop in Drama.

🎭FURTHER PATHWAYS 🎭

S6

Advanced Higher Drama

Further education

There are many further education courses which recommend Higher Drama. Please see your teachers to find out more.

ARTS COUNCIL/PASTA

With the skills you build in Higher Drama, we would love for you to support our Arts Council and help lead the schools annual show.

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