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Why should I choose this subject?
Our AS/A level Drama and Theatre is an exciting and inspiring course which prepares learners for further study in Higher Education or any other pathway they might choose. This highly practical specification provides learners with a range of essential life skills which will help them succeed in any chosen career. They will have the opportunity to work as either performers and/or designers on three different performances.
How will I be assessed in this subect?
AS Units
AS Unit 1- Theatre Workshop Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated (24% of qualification)
AS Unit 2: Text in Theatre Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes (16% of qualification)
A2 Units
A2 Unit 3: Text in Action Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner (36% of qualification)
A2 Unit 4: Text in Performance Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes (24% of qualification)
What will I study?
AS & A2 Areas of Study
AS Unit 1:
AS Unit 1:
Theatre Workshop Non-exam assessment
Theatre Workshop Non-exam assessment
Theatre Workshop Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated
24% of qualification
90 marks
Learners will be assessed on either acting or design. Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text chosen from a list supplied by WJEC. The piece must be developed using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company. Learners must produce:
• a realisation of the performance or design
• a creative log
• an evaluation.
AS Unit 2:
AS Unit 2:
Text in Theatre Written Examination
Text in Theatre Written Examination
Text in Theatre Written examination:
1 hour 30 minutes
16% of qualification
60 marks
Open book: Clean copies (no annotation) of the complete text chosen must be taken into the examination. A series of questions based on one performance text from the following list:
Set text list for assessment up to and including 2024:
Medea, Euripides
The Comedy of Errors, William Shakespeare
An Enemy of the People, Henrik Ibsen
Ubu Roi, Alfred Jarry
A View from the Bridge, Arthur Miller
The Woman made of Flowers, Saunders Lewis.
Set text list for assessment from 2025 onwards:
A Doll’s House, Tanika Gupta
The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Bertolt Brecht
Wyneb yn Wyneb, Meic Povey
The Weir, Conor McPherson
Lovesong, Abi Morgan
Once, Enda Walsh
Leave Taking, Winsome Pinnock
A2 Unit 3:
A2 Unit 3:
Text in Action
Text in Action
Text in Action
Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner
36% of qualification
120 marks
Learners will be assessed on either acting or design. Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus supplied by WJEC:
• a devised piece using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company (a different practitioner or company to that chosen for Unit 1)
• an extract from a text in a different style chosen by the learner. Learners must realise their performance live for the visiting examiner. Learners choosing design must also give a non-assessed 5-10 minute presentation of their design to the examiner. Learners must produce a process and evaluation report within one week of completion of the practical work.
A2 Unit 4:
A2 Unit 4:
Text in Performance
Text in Performance
Text in Performance
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
24% of qualification
95 marks
Open book: Clean copies (no annotation) of the two complete texts chosen must be taken into the examination. Two questions, based on two different texts from the following list:
Set text list for assessment up to and including 2025
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Peter Nichols
Sweeney Todd, Stephen Sondheim
The Absence of War, David Hare
*Mametz, Owen Sheers
*The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning, Tim Price
One Moonlit Night, Caradog Prichard, adapted by Bara Caws.
Set text list for assessment from 2026 onwards
One Man Two Governors, Carlo Goldoni (adapted Richard Bean)
The Trial, Stephen Berkoff
Blues for an Alabama Sky, Pearle Cleage
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon (adapted Simon Stephens)
Dear Evan Hansen, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
The Watsons, Laura Wade Nyrsys,
Bethan Marlow
*These texts contain language and content of an adult nature.
What career pathways are available to me if I study this subject?
Studying Drama can help you grow in confidence and develop your communication skills to assist you with any career e.g. delivering presentations, public speaking and interview skills. Specific career pathways include Acting, Primary Teaching, Advertising & Marketing, Media Management, Theatre Management, Art Administration, Civil Service, Drama Teaching, Drama Therapist, TV/Film crew, Make-up artist, costume design, youthwork to name but a few.
Extra Curricular Activities
If you choose A Level Drama, you may have the opportunity to take part in the following activities;
Drama Club
Trips to London West End
Theatre trips
Guest speakers
Workshops
School shows
Student Testimonials
Choosing Drama allowed me to build my confidence giving me the chance to drive myself to success. In the positive, innovative and friendly atmosphere Drama has to offer, you too will be able to grow your confidence, improve your performance skills and overcome that fear of speaking in public. Drama has helped me to improve my artistic and creative skills and has given me a better understanding of myself and the world around me. Drama has reinforced my self-discipline, trust and teamwork and helped me develop the ability to interpret, research, negotiate, solve problems and make decisions. I heartily recommend that if you are contemplating taking Drama in Sixth Year that you do so. Trust me, you're not going to regret it!
Ellen Hillen Year 13
I wanted to improve my confidence and ability to speak in-front of a crowd, so I chose Drama for A Level. The reason why I picked it for A-Level, is because I enjoyed it so much at GCSE! I enjoyed the practical activities we got to complete as well as being able to study different types of plays and being a part of devising one myself. I know that through studying drama for GCSE and A Level I now have the confidence to pursue any career, because of how Drama helps develop my skills both personally and professionally. I think everyone should study Drama at some point as it seriously makes such a difference to your life!
Kaitlin Armstrong Year 13
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