The Course is practical and experiential. Learners will develop and apply skills in devising and performing theatre. They will develop skills in acting, directing and design. The Advanced Higher Course extends the study of the art of theatre, its forms and its practices, by exploring and analysing the work of leading theatre practitioners. The Course provides scope for personalisation and choice.
In this Course, learners are encouraged to explore, analyse and take an imaginative approach. The Course encourages learners to be creative and to express themselves in different ways, allowing them to develop important skills, attitudes and attributes. Learning through drama helps learners to develop an appreciation of aesthetic, social and cultural values, identities and ideas.
Learning in the Course will include active involvement in devising, creating, appreciating and using theatre to communicate with an audience. It will also include the analysis of texts and the study of key theatre practitioners.
The Course also provides opportunities to continue developing the attributes and capabilities of the four capacities. Learners will develop perseverance, independence and resilience as they draw on their critical understanding of how theatre practice has been shaped by key practitioners when developing, realising, and refining their skills in acting, directing or design. They will reach informed creative decisions in their work and manage and direct their learning. They will become more creative, self-assured and adept at expressing and communicating their ideas through their work.
Purpose and Aims of the Course
This Course should encourage learners to be inspired and challenged through the provision of a range of learning experiences which will develop important skills that focus on the creative exploration of the art of theatre, its forms and its practices, and practical aspects of theatre. It also provides opportunities to develop transferable skills for learning, life and work.
The Advanced Higher Drama Course allows learners to explore both the practical and analytical aspects of the subject. It provides opportunities for learners to develop skills through practical aspects of theatre, the creative exploration of the art of theatre and its forms and practices.
Learners will investigate how theatre practice has been shaped by key practitioners. They will expand and develop their own skills within their chosen area of acting, directing or design. Learners will also develop their skills in devising and interpreting text. Further, they will explore means of using theatre and performance skills to communicate effectively with an audience and investigate how key practitioners have influenced the theatre today. Learners will also develop problem solving and critical thinking skills as they analyse theatre practice and interpret text. They will also learn to analyse their performance and the performance of others.
The aims of the Course are to enable learners to:
develop autonomy and independent thinking skills
develop skills in performing within their chosen area of acting, directing or design
develop individual creativity when applying skills in problem solving, analysis and evaluation
analyse current theatrical performance
develop analytical skills in the interpretation of texts
develop knowledge and understanding of theatre practice and key practitioners
develop knowledge and understanding of social and cultural influences on drama
This Course would provide opportunities for progression to a variety of other qualifications in other related fields, including HNCs/HNDs in Acting and Performance, Musical Theatre, and the HNC in Technical Theatre.