Drama and Theatre Studies

‘A vibrant, creative, challenging and stimulating course’.

Course Overview

Skills Required

During the course you will undertake practical performance work, as well as studying significant plays and relevant theatre practitioners and genres. You will develop your ability to analyse contemporary productions from the perspectives of actor, director and designer. You will acquire skills such as lighting, set and costume and make-up design. We prefer you to have a good grade at GCSE Drama to take this course but we do not insist on it. More important is that you have an open and enquiring mind, a genuine interest in theatre, be willing to work collaboratively and have a good sense of humour and are prepared to have a go at any challenge we throw at you!

Drama and Theatre Studies allows students to develop theatrical skills that will allow them to perform on stage and create innovative relevant contemporary theatre from a directorial and design perspective. Students studying Drama and Theatre Studies will also hone important life skills such as negotiation, cooperation and time management and improve their abilities in public speaking; presenting information in varied and engaging ways and commanding the attention of an audience. Pupils have gone on to study subjects at degree level including, Medicine, History, English and Philosophy, Drama and to top drama schools.

Please note that the department will organise a variety of theatre trips throughout the course, of which some will be compulsory to meet the requirements of the examination, and to which students will be asked to make a financial contribution. It is also our expectation that Theatre Studies students will visit the theatre as often as they can in their spare time and will be prepared to read widely around the subject. There will also be extra workshops organised to connect students with contemporary theatre practitioners and professionals.

Methods of Assessment

Component 1 Devising Original Drama

Non-examination assessment 40% of the qualification This component is made up of a portfolio and a devised performance / design.

Component 2 Text in Performance

Non-examination assessment 20% of the qualification This component consists of a group performance and an individual performance, both assessed by a visiting examiner.

Component 3 Theatre Makers in Practice

Written examination 40% of the qualification Section A: Live Theatre Evaluation

Section B: Page to Stage: Realising a Performance Text

Section C: Interpreting a Performance Text