DRAMA AND THEATRE

Drama and Theatre is a highly respectable A level and is highly valued by many university admission tutors and employeers The balance of practical skills and academic knowledge, as well as a growing understanding of, and empathy for, the world around us, allows pupils to develop a wide range of skills and disciplines It is one of the few subjects that is not based 100% on a written paper at the end of the Upper Sixth This gives pupils the chance to work practically and attain 60% of their marks before the examination season It provides an opportunity to spend lessons doing something creative, on their feet, rather than stuck behind a desk

Drama and Theatre is ideal for those who like to create work that questions assumptions, enjoy finding innovative ways of communicating with an audience, and, most importantly, enjoy performing It is taught jointly with Sherborne Girls

What is the course content?

Pupils study five different plays from different eras; learn to evaluate live theatre as a critical audience member and use this to inform their own practical and written work; study different theatre practitioners and styles; and create their own work based on topics which interest them They can be assessed as a performer or designer Assessment is of written essay skills and practical acting/directing or design skills in equal measure

How is the course assessed?

The exam board is Eduqas There are three components:

1 Pupils reinterpret a classic play in a contemporary way using the techniques of a theatre practitioner Pupils create a performance or design and a creative log. (20% of the qualification)

2 Pupils create and perform or design two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus supplied by the exam board, one devised and an extract from a script They then produce a written evaluation of the process within one week of the practical exam (40% of the qualification)

3 A written exam based on three set texts from different eras (40% of the qualification)

What else should I consider?

You ideally should have completed Drama GCSE, or completed substantial extra-curricular Drama throughout the Fourth and Fifth years A minimum of a six in English GCSE ensures you will be able to succeed in the essay-based exam Drama and Theatre

A level does not only lead to degrees in the performing arts, though it is an obvious choice for those with an interest in acting, directing, technical theatre or anything based in TV, film or theatre The collaborative and presentation skills acquired are highly valued by courses such as Business, Law and Medicine Subjects that complement Drama include English, Classics, History and Art Extra-curricular opportunities include joint school productions, House Drama, playwriting, technical theatre workshops and performance based competitions such as the Ancient Drama Prize run by Oxford University

Pre-course material

The best way of preparing for Drama and Theatre

A level is to watch as much theatre as possible As well as watching live performances in London or your local theatre, there is a wealth of online theatre on both the Online Drama Library or Digital Theatre+