Drama

DRAMA GCSE

Introduction

Drama GCSE is useful across all kinds of disciplines, careers and life experiences. It teaches students to collaborate with others through engaging and stimulating creative activities, which in turn helps build confidence and social skills.

GCSE Drama could lead on to further study in Drama, Theatre Studies, Performing Arts and Expressive Arts at A-level and above, or other related subjects such as English, Music, Dance, Art and Design.

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DRAMA GCSE

Aims                                   

This course is very broad in nature. Students will study how to perform, how to create a drama production and how to analyse a play. Students will be given opportunities to work with scripts as well as perfect their ability to devise and improvise. Various performance techniques will be studied including interpretation, improvisation, voice, physicality and stage relationships with others. 

One of the main benefits of this course is the freedom of choice, and students can choose to take on the role of performer or designer. Various design skills will be studied including scenery, lighting, sound, technology and props. Students will be given lots of opportunities to experience as much live theatre as possible; alongside this they will deepen their analysis and evaluative skills.

Course Details

The course offers students the opportunity to explore drama as a practical art form in which ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention. Students will be introduced to key practitioners, theoretical influences and influential playwrights whilst developing and building their core practical performance skills. The subject content for GCSE Drama is divided into three components:

1. Understanding drama (written exam) 

2. Devising drama (practical and written coursework portfolio)

3. Texts in practice (practical exam)

In the practical component students may specialise in performing, lighting, sound, set, costume and/or puppets.  Whilst there is a fundamental emphasis on the practical element in this course, the building up of a lively portfolio full of inspiration ideas, collaboration and experimentation and finally evaluation, is also a central part of the course. GCSE Drama allows all students to pursue the course in a way consistent with their preferred creative style.

How is the course assessed?

Externally assessed elements

These elements constitute 60% of your overall grade.

One written examination (1 hour and 45 minutes):

• Section A – multiple choice questions

• Section B – Four questions on a studied play (Blood Brothers, The Crucible, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – for example)

• Section C – One two part question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers from a single live production (We will go and see a range of live theatre in order to answer this question)

One practical examination:

• A performance of two extracts from one scripted play (you may take on the role of performer or designer). You have a choice of the play although your teacher will direct you towards a performance best suited to your skills. 

Coursework elements – internally assessed

These elements constitute 40% of your overall grade. You will be assessed on:

• A devised performance that is entirely unique and created by your group AND a devising log. The written coursework details the process of creating devised drama. You may take on the role of performer or designer. 

Commitment

Students will learn a multitude of skills including:

• Collaboration and communication skills

• Developing their enquiring and reflective minds

• Independent thinking and working

• Confidence

• Analysis of their own performances, live theatre and a script

• Creativity

• All aspects of theatre production

In return, you will need to commit yourself to keeping an up-to-date rehearsal log, and researching/reading around the texts we are studying. In the lead up to a performance you will need to get together with your group and rehearse, frequently and cooperatively, in time outside of lessons. You will also visit the theatre outside of school times at least twice a year. 

Exam Board: AQA

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/drama/gcse/drama-8261/specification-at-a-glance 

Contact details: 

Mr Fuller