4 minute read
Drama & Theatre
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Students will be able to:
• develop an understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of theatre and drama through a wide range of practical and theory based studies; • develop performance techniques including interpretation, voice, physicality, stage relationships and presence; • perform using a different range of styles, techniques and genres from around the world and from many different periods; • develop an ability to collaborate with others and develop their ideas into performance as well as initiating their own; • critically appreciate a wide range of drama and dramatic styles; • explore other theatrical avenues including design skills and technical abilities (lighting, sound, set design, costume, make up, stage management and directing); • develop confidence, team building, communication, creativity and other essential life skills relevant to a wide variety of chosen careers.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW OR BE ABLE TO DO BEFORE TAKING DRAMA & THEATRE IN THE SIXTH FORM?
Candidates for Drama and Theatre will develop a knowledge and understanding of theatre practice through their own engagement with the medium as both participant and informed audience member.
Candidates will develop performance and / or production skills appropriate to the creation and realisation of Drama and theatre. They should be able to work well with others, have a genuine interest in theatre, sound academic qualifications and have a high degree of self-motivation. They will be expected to attend several theatre visits organised by the department. A Drama GCSE is preferred but not essential if the candidate has extensive experience of the theatre outside of their formal studies.
Where Drama GCSE has been studied, a grade 6 or above is desirable. Candidates should also have obtained similar grades in English and / or English Literature. Candidates scoring grade 5 or below are unlikely to succeed at A Level Drama and Theatre. • students who have a genuine interest in the theatre
• students who enjoy working within groups and wish to be involved in producing theatre either through performance or a specific design / technical skill
• students who would like to develop ‘soft’ skills including, but not exclusively, communication, resilience, collaboration, organisation, creativity, the ability to work under pressure and problem solving
• students who are interested in pursuing a career in any aspect of the theatre - performance, directing, stage management, sound or light engineering, set design, costume, make up • Students who are intending to follow any university course for which an essay based
A Level subject is required.
WHAT EXAMINATIONS WILL I HAVE TO TAKE TO GAIN MY QUALIFICATION?
The AQA course benefits from both a practical strand and a written examination which adds academic rigour to the course, helping to ensure students understand the way plays relate to their historical, social and cultural context.
COMPONENT 1: Drama and Theatre (40%)
For this written exam we will work practically in class exploring two contrasting texts from the perspective of actors, directors and designers. In your exam you will answer one question on each play discussing how you might interpret the play as a whole or a given extract. A third question asks you to evaluate a live production you have seen.
You will work in pairs or small groups to create an original piece of drama from a stimulus of your choice. Your piece will be performed to a live audience and you can choose whether to be examined as an actor, director or designer. You will use the ideas of a recognised theatre practitioner or company to help form your piece. You will be assessed on your contribution to the performance and on a detailed working notebook which you will keep throughout the process.
COMPONENT 3: Making theatre (practical) (30%)
This is a practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts, each one taken from a different play. The methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3 which is to be performed as a final assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director). You will also complete a Reflective Report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON SPECIFICATIONS
AQA provides specimen examination papers which we recommend you investigate.
Go to http://www.aqa.org.uk
WHAT COULD I GO ON TO DO AT THE END OF MY COURSE?
Drama and Theatre A Level can provide a stepping stone for a number of higher educational courses and careers. Obviously, it is an essential A Level for any student who is serious about pursuing a career within the performing arts, whether on stage or off. However, it should also be an attractive option for many other students.
A recent survey of Russell Group universities showed that a very high percentage of Law students – in some cases as many as 100% – had studied Drama and Theatre at A Level. It is one of the few subjects where students are assessed on their ability to work within a group, such an important skill in the majority of jobs in the 21st century. Employers are looking for graduates who ‘stand out’, who can offer something different and who have high degrees of emotional intelligence, communication skills or creativity.
Students who have successfully completed this course have been accepted into some of the most prestigious Drama Schools or have gone on to study degree courses at many of the top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. They have gone on to study a wide variety of courses including English, Psychology, Theology, Biology, Politics, History, Medicine – as well as Drama – to name but a few.
