DRAMA

GCSE Drama is an exciting and challenging course which develops not only subject knowledge but also essential lifelong skills, including creative thinking and problem-solving.

The specification promotes involvement in and enjoyment of drama, as performers and/or designers

Additionally it provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop skills as informed and thoughtful audience members. This specification builds on subject content which is typically taught at key stage 3 and provides a suitable foundation for the study of Drama at A level. However, students do not need previous knowledge or experience of the subject.

The course is made up of 2 practical components (60% coursework) and a written component (40% written examination)

Practical coursework includes one devised piece and one performance of a text. Students can choose to be assessed on either acting or design.

Actors work in groups and designers work with a group of actors and can choose from the following specialisms: n Lighting Design n Sound Design n Set Design (including props) n Costume Design (including hair & make-up)

Each group may have up to four designers, each offering a different design skill.

Component 1: Devised Piece:

Students devise a piece of original theatre in response to a stimulus, using either the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or the characteristics of a genre of drama.

Students produce a portfolio of supporting evidence which demonstrates the research, creation and development of ideas. The portfolio is intended to highlight the creative and developmental process of devising the piece of theatre. Students also evaluate the final performance or design

Component 2: Scripted Piece:

Students participate in a performance from a text, to gain a deeper understanding of how to interpret a text for performance and realise artistic intentions.

Students study two 10 minute extracts, within the context of the whole play (chosen by the students. Recent choices have been: Shakers; Matchstick Girls; Find Me) Students then demonstrate an understanding of the playwright’s intentions when interpreting the text for performance. The piece is performed live for a visiting examiner.

Component 3: Written examination:

This component requires students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed and performed through the study of a performance text and through responding to live theatre.

For Section A, we currently study Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman, adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz. Students learn how the text is constructed and how performances create meaning through the characteristics of the performance text, including style, structure and stage directions.

For Section B students analyse and evaluate a piece of live theatre viewed during the course. Students have opportunities throughout the course to view professional full length theatre productions in order to complete this component. Students learn about the role of the actor, designer and director

How will GCSE Drama help me in the future?

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report predicts creativity, innovation and ideation will be key skills for the workforce of the future. These so-called soft skills, which sit alongside analytical thinking and problem-solving, will replace manual tasks that become automated. When business leaders across the world were surveyed, they voted Creativity as the most important workplace capability to help their businesses survive and grow. This means that the study of creative subjects, like Drama, is becoming even more important and relevant to young people to give you the chance to succeed – whatever your ambitions! At the same time, you will find many opportunities to develop and improve your personal wellbeing both independently and as part of a wider community.