Drama & Theatre

Requirements

An interest in theatre and participation in Drama at GCSE or in extra-curricular activities such as Youth Theatre or LAMDA examinations.

A Level Drama & Theatre Studies is a challenging and rewarding course, which develops a range of academic and creative skills. The course provides a context for personal development through serious study of drama and theatre. Students get to study various styles of theatre and practitioner influences (e.g. Brecht’s Epic theatre), as well as develop their range of dramatic techniques. The course also provides the basis for an informed and lasting appreciation and enjoyment of drama and theatre, either as participants or informed members of an audience. Students will have the opportunity to see a range of performances to inform their practical work, and to analyse plays and their historical context. Students also study the influences and importance of particular performers, directors, designers, theatre companies (e.g. Frantic Assembly), as well as learn theatre history and historical performance conditions (e.g. Restoration theatre). The subject content details the knowledge, understanding and skills that students are expected to develop throughout the course of study. For the practical components students choose to work as performers, designers (design students may choose lighting, sound, set, costume or puppets) or directors.

Component 1: Drama and theatre What’s assessed:

n Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre; n Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B; n Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers.

How it’s assessed:

n Written exam: 3 hours n Open book n 80 marks n 40% of A Level

Questions

n Section A: one question (from a choice) on one of the set plays from List A (25 marks) n Section B: one three part question on a given extract from one of the set plays from List B (30 marks) n Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (25 marks).

Component 2: Creating original drama (practical) What’s assessed:

n Process of creating devised drama; n Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer, designer or director). Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner.

How it’s assessed:

n Working notebook (40 marks) n Devised performance (20 marks) n 60 marks in total n 30% of A Level This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.

Component 3: Making theatre (practical) What’s assessed:

n Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts (Extract 1, 2 and 3) each taken from a different play; n Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to

Extract 3. Extract 3 is to be performed as a final assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director). Reflective report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts.

How it’s assessed:

n Performance of Extract 3 (40 marks) n Reflective report (20 marks) n 60 marks in total n 30 % of A Level This component is marked by AQA.