Drama and Theatre A Level

Drama and Theatre offers students the opportunity to explore drama as a practical art form, in which ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention. Your communication skills as a performer, director and critic will be challenged and enhanced, through an exploration of the work of famous playwrights both in performance and as a script, which you must bring to life. To do this, you will need to master problem solving and co - operative learning.

Course Description

The subject content for A - level Drama and Theatre is divided into three components (one written exam and two practical pieces accompanied by written work):

• Component 1: Drama and Theatre This component is a written exam in which students are assessed on their knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed and performed , and on their ability to analyse and evaluate the live theatre work of others. The paper is divided int o three compulsory sections: D ama through the ages; 20th and 21st century drama; and live theatre production.

• Component 2: Creating original Drama This is a practical component in which students are assessed on their ability to create and develop ideas to communicate meaning as part of the theatre making process , making connections between dramatic theory and practice and apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions , in live performance. For this component, students must complete two assessment tasks: produce an individual Working Notebook documenting the devising process; and contribute to a final devised, group performance.

• Component 3: Making Theatre This is a practical component in which students are assessed on their ability to apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in live performance and analyse and evaluate their own work. For this component students must practically explore (workshop) and interpret three key extracts each from a different play. Students must complete two assessment tasks: formally present Extract 3 to an audience - f or the performance of Extract 3 students must apply the work and methodologies of a certain theatre practitioner ; and produce an individual Reflective report analysing and evaluating their theatrical interpretation of all three extracts studied.

Beyond A level

Drama and Theatre Studies will be acceptable for most Arts, Humanities and Modern Language courses. Drama courses develop transferable skills which employers are looking for: communication, teamwork, negotiation and persuasiveness, time management and organisation, as well as analytical, critical and research skills. Most degree courses now require students to work in a team and to undertake presentations, and for these skills Drama is invaluable.

There are many careers, which are open to Drama & Theatre Studies students including management, personnel and social work, team management and jobs requiring analytical and presentational skills.

The study of drama provides the ideal training for any position requiring quick thinking, self-reliance, creativity, teamwork and the ability to organise both yourself and others.