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“Drama lies in extreme exaggeration of the feelings, an exaggeration that dislocates flat everyday reality”.- EUGENE IONESCO
Introduction
Drama IGCSE goes far beyond developing students’ ability to ‘act’. The course structure demands that all students work collaboratively and creatively, skills that are transferable to a plethora of modern careers. It encourages research and assimilation of theatrical traditions from around the world as well as self-reflection and an in-depth understanding of process. Throughout this experience, the students are communicating ideas in English to others and developing the skills required to be able to bring these ideas to life, alongside being introduced to a wide range of scripts from different periods, genres and styles. In doing so, their confidence with spoken English will blossom. The written aspect of the course ensures that the study of Drama is academic whilst being highly creative and performative.
The course is taught over 3 lessons a week. A journal is kept throughout, documenting their creative ideas and developing their understanding of what has been studied in the lesson and their approaches to the tasks.
Assessment Objectives
A: Understanding- Candidates will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate understanding of:
the performance possibilities of text and other stimuli, and
the differing roles of actor, director, stage manager and technician in its realisation.
B: Devising- Candidates will be assessed on their ability to devise dramatic material and reflect on its effectiveness.
C: Performing Skills- Candidates will be assessed on their performing skills in Drama.
Assessment
Live Theatre Performances
As part of the course we aim to take students to see live theatre in English, which we could then discuss in class. Such trips within Malaysia would incur a small cost. There may also be the opportunity to travel to other countries to see theatre and to participate in festivals with other schools.
We also encourage Drama students to see live theatre in any language outside of the course.
Visiting Artists
Whilst the department provide a varied and challenging curriculum, which encompasses a vast range of styles and genres of theatre, the students benefit enormously from having professional artists visit our school and run workshops and even put together a piece of theatre for performance. We have had a clown specialist from Italy and a Butoh performer from Japan visit us to work with students in our first 2 years.
Link to Past Papers
Pleas find below a link to past papers for IGCSE Drama: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-drama-0411/past-papers/
Future Careers
It is not the intention of this course to create the next Hollywood Superstars.
The study of Drama at IGCSE encourages students to be able to engage with their creativity practically, but also to be able to express the creative processes that they encounter along the way.
In doing so, it encourages students to develop skills that is transferable to many careers.
One former student of mine was surprised to learn that, in interview with Cambridge University to study Medicine, the interviewer asked far more about her drama experience than her science skill. Being able to display creative solutions is attractive to many divergent careers. This particular student is now in 4th year studying at Cambridge and I’m pleased to say she is still involved in Drama outside of her studies!
However, if your son or daughter is interested in careers linked to any performing arts, whether onstage or backstage, the course will give them a strong understanding of the skills, techniques, theories and all of the various elements that make up a performance- lighting, sound and design.
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