Drama

Drama Drama

THIS SUBJECT OFFERS AN EXCITING AND DIFFERENT CHALLENGE.

In addition to learning about acting, directing and the design elements of theatre, you will reflect on the value and potential of the Arts in our society and develop a wide range of vital skills such as:

Leadership and teamwork: negotiation and effective communication;

Releasing creativity: being prepared to explore physically and intellectually;

Improvisation: responding to challenges and learning to be flexible;

Time management: planning carefully for a successful outcome.

As you will realise from the above, to be successful at this level in Drama it is crucial to enjoy working with others; the achievement of each individual depends more than anything on how well the members of a group work together. On this course, you will be encouraged to improve and develop your performance skills with particular focus on physical and vocal techniques, through improvised drama and also scripted work. Being able to share and explore your thoughts and feelings about important issues facing society today will be important when you are called upon to devise an original piece of theatre. Producing a play for performance is an exhilarating - often difficult - process and you should understand that this can be a mentally, physically and emotionally demanding subject.

It is often surprising to the students taking GCSE Drama, just how much they are required to engage with so many of the many challenges facing society in this moment – politically, socially and economically. The academic ability of the students at WHS is well known, but to achieve in any subject at A level and be competitive for the best universities it is vital that you engage with the more difficult questions and dilemmas facing society, and reflect on who has the power to make a difference. From GCSE onwards, the Drama department pushes you to engage with these issues. Another aspect of Drama which students find challenging but ultimately satisfying is the way they have to ‘own’ their work. We teach, supervise and support but ultimately in Drama, you learn to take responsibility for managing your time and level of commitment: a crucial part of your preparation for success in any subject at A level.

Drama GCSE provides an obvious foundation for taking A Level Theatre Studies, but clearly helps you develop skills which are necessary more generally to succeed academically. Studying Drama also helps you become confident and effective in so many other useful ways, which will support your development throughout your life.

COMPONENT 1: DEVISING (40%)

You will perform in an original piece of theatre which has been created and developed by your group from a stimulus given to you by your teachers. This performance will be marked by your teachers but the video will be moderated by Edexcel examiners (15 marks available for the performance). You will keep a log book of your process which will then become your written coursework. This will detail the creative process you have gone through and will also evaluate the success of the work you have done (45 marks available for the written coursework).

COMPONENT 2: PERFORMANCE (20%)

You will be put into groups and will study, rehearse and perform two key extracts (10 minutes each) from a play chosen by us. Each group can perform extracts from different plays. You will perform in front of a visiting examiner from Edexcel. You have to provide the visiting examiner with 200 words explaining the intention of your performance(s) before his or her visit.

Drama

Drama

COMPONENT 3: WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 1HR 30 MINUTES (40%)

Section A: You answer questions on an extract from a SET PERFORMANCE TEXT which we will have studied together in class (45 marks available).

Section B: You are required to analyse and evaluate a piece of theatre you have seen live, either on a school trip with us or, if you prefer, something you have seen independently (15 marks available). You can bring notes for this section into the examination.

On this course you will be required to take part in lots of practical activity in order to learn about various practitioners and their performance techniques. Much of the work we do is necessarily active, practical, and then reflective and evaluative. You will need to bring enthusiasm, energy and ultimately resilience into Drama lessons.

You will study two performance texts, mostly through active practical work on the texts, and will learn about a range of highly influential theatre practitioners. You will also be taken to see at least two high quality live performances as part of this exciting course. You will be encouraged to analyse, develop and improve your own performance skills in order to be able to use vocal, physical and non-verbal techniques to communicate meaning with subtlety and sensitivity on stage. Your performance work and your written work will have to show that you understand how performance techniques, use of stage space, and other production elements combine to create meaningful theatre that is valuable within its own and our historical, social, and cultural context.

YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT:

Drama students usually find they want to continue rehearsing for exam performances in their own extracurricular time; Drama does have less written work to complete than most subjects, but you will be required to keep your coursework log up to date and there will, of course, be opportunities to practise writing exam answers under timed conditions; And finally…. GCSE Drama at WHS is a popular option, taught by fully qualified specialist Drama teachers assisted by a full-time Theatre Technician and an Assistant Theatre Technician. Students are actively encouraged to make the most of the excellent facilities in the Rutherford Performing Arts Centre.