Drama and Theatre Studies

Course summary

Students who have a passion for Theatre and performance. The A Level is taught over two years and consists of three components. Component 1: Drama and Theatre (3 hours, open book, written exam) 40% of the qualification Students are examined in three areas: a live theatre evaluation, realising a performance text and interpreting a performance text. Students will answer from the perspective of a performer, director and designer and must demonstrate their understanding of theatre in practice. Students begin exploring this component in year 1 and complete the public exam at the end of year 2. Component 2: Creating original drama (assessed internally and moderated by an examiner) 40% of the qualification Students devise an original performance piece using student-led stimuli and a theatre practitioner. Students are marked on both the performance itself and the documentation of the process in the form of a portfolio. Students complete this component by the summer term of year 1. Component 3: Making theatre (assessed by a visiting examiner) 20% of the qualification Students undertake a practical exploration of 3 extracts taken from 3 different texts. Students bring one extract to realisation for a visiting examiner, applying the methodology of a prescribed practitioner. Students will be marked on both the performance itself and a reflective report analysing and evaluating the theatrical interpretation of all three extracts. Lessons will be a combination of teacher and student-led practical workshops, as well as reflective writing, evaluation and revision sessions. Students will also attend theatre visits, and seminars and be expected to organise independent study and ongoing revision. The course is both internally and externally assessed through practical coursework and written examination. A large amount of reading and essay writing is required of students.