Drama
OVERVIEW
We offer a wide range of courses in the Drama department that meets the needs of all students. Studying Drama helps to boost your confidence, develops creative thinking, grows your ability to work with others, as well as developing your problem solving skills.
BGE Drama
Throughout the BGE years our topics covered allow pupils the chance to explore, research and create using practical approaches. Pupils are introduced to the practical elements of the creative industries both performance and production based aspects.
The course includes the following units:
- Voice
- Movement
- Characterisation
- Production Skills (inc Lighting, Costume, Sound, Props, Set Design and Hair & Make-up)
- Drama Skills
- Themes/Issues
- Script Writing
National 4 & 5 Drama
Our National courses aim to develop personal and social skills through performance and production based activities, as well as continuing to provide a broad-based drama and theatre education.
The course includes the following units:
- Drama Skills (N4/5)
- Production Skills (N4/5)
- Added Value Unit (AVU) – N4 Only
Throughout you will explore a wide variety of stimuli (including text-based stimuli) and themes/issues through:
- Drama Skills techniques: Voice, Movement, Characterisation, Role-play, Improvisation, Forms, Conventions, Directing, Script Work, Presenting and Evaluating work of self and others.
- Drama Production Skills: Lighting, Sound, Set Design, Props, Costume, Hair & Make-up, Stage Management and Theatre Production.
The course is assessed internally through teacher based assessments and externally by SQA through a Performance* (60% of the overall course award) and a written examination (40% of the overall course award).
*Performance examination can be assessed as an Actor or in a Production role.
National 5 Drama Qualifications can lead to the progression of Higher Drama in S5. Pupils may also consider the NPA Musical Theatre or NPA Professional Theatre Preparation (Level 6) courses as an alternative.
N5 Creative Industries
This Level 5 course is designed to provide learners with opportunities to develop creative and technical skills relevant for employment within the creative industries including Drama, Music, Theatre, Digital Media, Media, etc.
Throughout this course you will:
- Raising knowledge of the creative industries and the opportunities within these sectors in terms of job roles and career paths.
- Develop specific and generic skills and attitudes which will enhance employability.
- Develop practical skills and communication skills.
There is no external SQA assessment at the end of the academic year.
Higher Drama
Our Higher Drama course is designed to enable you to develop and utilise a range of complex Drama and Production skills. You will further develop skills in creating and presenting, and knowledge and understanding of historical, social and cultural influences within a drama. You will use analysis and evaluation to learn how the use of self-expression, language and movement can develop an idea for a drama. Finally, you will utilise critical thinking skills to investigate, develop and apply to a range of complex drama and production skills whilst exploring various types of form, genre, structure and styles.
The course is made up of three sections:
Section 1: Theatre Production: Text in context
Section 2: Theatre Production: Application
Section 3: Performance Analysis
For Sections 1 and 2, you will study a selected text. For section 3, you will visit the theatre to see a live performance which you will then study.
The course is assessed internally through teacher based assessments and externally by SQA through a Performance* (60% of the overall course award) and a written examination (40% of the overall course award).
*Performance examination can be assessed as an Actor or in a Production role.
Higher Drama Qualifications can lead to the progression of NPA Musical Theatre or NPA Professional Theatre Preparation (Level 6) courses. Higher Drama is also widely recognised in further education and is a desirable qualification in many careers.
National Progression Awards
NPA Musical Theatre
Our NPA Musical Theatre course is designed to provide learners with relevant experience in Music theatre which develops skills of:
- Commitment
- Collaboration
- Creative Thinking
- Self-discipline
- Voice, Movement and Acting
- Independent thinking (Problem solving)
The course is made up of the following units:
- Acting through Song
- Preparation for Audition
- Group Singing Skills
- Solo Singing Skills
- Group Dance Performance
There is no external SQA assessment at the end of the academic year.
NPA Musical Theatre Qualifications are widely recognised in further education and are desirable qualifications in many careers and can lead to career employment within: Performing (Musical Theatre, Drama, Dance, Music), Performing arts promotion/management, teaching, etc.
NPA Professional Theatre Preparation
Our NPA Professional Theatre Preparation course is designed to provide learners with relevant experience of Theatre which develops skills of:
- Commitment
- Collaboration
- Creative Thinking
- Self-discipline
- Voice, Movement and Acting
- Independent thinking (Problem solving)
The course is made up of the following units:
- Preparation for Audition
- Acting Skills
- Voice Skills
- Movement Skills
There is no external SQA assessment at the end of the academic year.
NPA Professional Theatre Preparation Qualifications are widely recognised in further education and are desirable qualifications in many careers and can lead to career employment within: Performing (Musical Theatre, Drama, Dance, Music), Performing arts promotion/management, teaching, etc.
NPA Technical Theatre
Our NPA Technical Theatre course is designed to provide learners with relevant experience of Production within the creative industries which develops design skills such as: Lighting, Sound, Prop Making and Model Set Construction. There will also be the opportunity to integrate their skills through the undertaking of a project.
You will aim to develop the following skills:
- Technical Skills (Production)
- Creativity (Design)
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Team Working (Working with others)
- Design & Practical Skills
- Self-discipline
The course is made up of the following units:
- Technical Theatre in Context
- Theatrical Design
- Theatre Stage Lighting Operations
- Theatre Stage Sound Operations
- Theatrical Prop Making
- Creative Project
- Theatre Stage Model Set Construction
There is no external SQA assessment at the end of the academic year.
NPA Technical Theatre Qualifications are widely recognised in further education and are desirable qualifications in many careers and can lead to career employment within: Production, Lighting Designers/Engineers, Construction, Theatrical prop/costume making, Set Design, etc.