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. GCSE Drama offers opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop critical skills as informed and thoughtful audience participants. In addition, we organise professionally led industry workshops. Past GCSE workshops have included sessions run by The Paper Birds, Wardrobe Ensemble and Bristol School of Acting. 

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. Devising drama (practical and written coursework portfolio)

2. Performing from a Text (practical exam)

3. Interpreting Theatre (written 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, building a lively portfolio detailing inspirations and ideas, collaboration and experimentation, and evaluative judgements, is also a central part of the course. GCSE Drama allows all students to pursue the course in a way that is 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 30 minutes):

• Section A –  Set Text  Students explore a play text practically and answer a series of questions from the perspective of an actor, director, and designer. We study one set text from a choice provided by the exam board. (e.g. Noughts and Crosses, Find Me, An Inspector Calls, Refugee Boy)

• Section B – Live Theatre Review One question, from a choice of two, requiring analysis and evaluation of a given aspect of a live theatre production seen during the course.

One practical examination: (externally assessed by visiting examiner)

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

Coursework elements – internally assessed, externally moderated 

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

• Students participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre that is entirely unique and created by your group using either the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or a genre, in response to a stimulus set by Eduqas.

• Students must also produce a realisation of their piece of devised theatre: A portfolio of supporting evidence and an evaluation of the final performance or design.

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: EDUQAS

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-gcse/#tab_overview

Contact details

Miss Skowronska