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Qualification
Qualification
A Level
A Level
Exam Board
Exam Board
Edexcel
Edexcel
Why should I study Drama & Theatre
Why should I study Drama & Theatre
Because you want to develop your:
Because you want to develop your:
Creative imagination
Creative imagination
Thinking skills
Thinking skills
Enjoyment of devising
Enjoyment of devising
Willingness to experiment with new techniques
Willingness to experiment with new techniques
Analytical and evaluative skills
Analytical and evaluative skills
Interest in live theatre performance
Interest in live theatre performance
Understanding of theatre practitioners
Understanding of theatre practitioners
Performance skills
Performance skills
Ability to interpret challenging texts
Ability to interpret challenging texts
For any career involving communication skills (including law, media, performing arts)
For any career involving communication skills (including law, media, performing arts)
this course would be highly beneficial.
this course would be highly beneficial.
What students say
What students say
'Drama offers you creative freedom to explore a variety of topics. There are very few limitations on what you can do in your performances. You own input is always respected" Chrys Churchill year 13
"Drama has pushed me to use every aspect of my brain for devising, directing and performing. All of which I have thoroughly enjoyed"
Keiron Ryan year 13
Enrichment
Enrichment
Regular theatre visits and opportunities to experiment with genre,. form and style with visiting professional theatre companies.
What does the course involve and how will I be assessed?
What does the course involve and how will I be assessed?
Students will be required to:
Students will be required to:
Perform for a text based performance
Perform for a text based performance
Perform for a devised performance
Perform for a devised performance
Explore the work of two key practitioners
Explore the work of two key practitioners
Produce a portfolio to detail the creation and development of ideas for a performance
Produce a portfolio to detail the creation and development of ideas for a performance
and analyse and evaluate their process
and analyse and evaluate their process
Answer questions on set texts in an exam
Answer questions on set texts in an exam
Analyse and evaluate a piece of live theatre they have been to see in an exam.
Analyse and evaluate a piece of live theatre they have been to see in an exam.
Component One: Devising 40% of overall GCSE
Component One: Devising 40% of overall GCSE
Students will explore a performance text in light of a practitioner. They will then work in
Students will explore a performance text in light of a practitioner. They will then work in
a group to create and develop ideas to devise a piece of Drama from an aspect of what
a group to create and develop ideas to devise a piece of Drama from an aspect of what
they have explored. Students can perform in a group sized from 3-8 performers.
they have explored. Students can perform in a group sized from 3-8 performers.
Component Two: Text in Performance Overview 20% of overall GCSE
Component Two: Text in Performance Overview 20% of overall GCSE
Students will perform in a group performance text. Students will also perform a monologue or performance from another performance text.
Students will perform in a group performance text. Students will also perform a monologue or performance from another performance text.
Component Three: Theatre Makers Overview 40 % of overall GCSE
Component Three: Theatre Makers Overview 40 % of overall GCSE
This is an externally set and assessed examination. First assessment: May/June. The
This is an externally set and assessed examination. First assessment: May/June. The
exam is 2 hours 30 minutes.
exam is 2 hours 30 minutes.
The exam will be made up of three sections:
The exam will be made up of three sections:
Section A: A choice of one or two statements requiring students to evaluate a live
Section A: A choice of one or two statements requiring students to evaluate a live
theatre performance.
theatre performance.
Section B: Students will practically explore a set text in order to be able to answer two
Section B: Students will practically explore a set text in order to be able to answer two
extended response questions on an extract from it (they will be provided with the
extended response questions on an extract from it (they will be provided with the
extract in the exam).
extract in the exam).
Section C: Students will interpret a performance text for a contemporary audience.
Section C: Students will interpret a performance text for a contemporary audience.
Opportunities for progression
Opportunities for progression
The A 'Level Drama course develops key skills that both employers and Universities look favorably on. For example oracy, presentation, collaboration, cooperation, negotiation, compromise, self reflection and identification of areas of strength are all qualities that are hugely desirable.
The A 'Level Drama course develops key skills that both employers and Universities look favorably on. For example oracy, presentation, collaboration, cooperation, negotiation, compromise, self reflection and identification of areas of strength are all qualities that are hugely desirable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have studied GCSE Drama?
Not necessarily but it is beneficial as the exam board is the same for GCSE so will have developed a core set of established skills. We have had pupils that have opted for the A'Level course that have not studied Drama at GCSE and achieved success. It would very much depend on the pupil so we would want a conversation to ascertain the suitability.
Will I have to perform?
Yes. There is very little point choosing this A 'Level if you are no comfortable performing.
Is there a lot of written work?
Yes. It is an academic course and as such has a sizeable amount of theory. However we are able to embed the theory into practical lessons so that it creates stronger links between the theoretical theory and the practical application.
Subject Link
Subject Link
Mrs Lawson-Frost
Mrs Lawson-Frost
glawson-frost@fxs.org.uk
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