Drama & Theatre
The skills developed in the study of Drama and Theatre make an enormous contribution to your personal development. In today’s world, employers seek mature creative people who can communicate effectively, precisely the skill that Drama develops.
Why study Drama and Theatre?
Many of our students go on to study the more technical elements of theatre, such as theatre design, lighting design as well as combining the study of drama with English and classical studies or a foreign language. An understanding of drama and theatre will also enhance your appreciation of film, plays and the Arts in general for the rest of your life.
What skills do you develop?
-
Confidence and public speaking
-
Collaboration and teamwork
-
Creative expression, improvisation, and performance skills
-
Analytical ability (through studying scripts and theory)
-
Time management and discipline
What careers can you pursue?
-
Drama, Theatre Studies, Acting, Performing Arts
-
Directing, Producing, Stage Management, Technical Theatre
-
Broadcasting, Presenting, Film/TV Production
-
Teaching, Drama Therapy, Arts Administration
-
Roles where communication and presence are crucial (law, PR, marketing)
AS & A level components
-
Unit 1: Theatre Workshop
Non-examination assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated 24% of qualification
Students will be assessed on either acting or design
Students participate in the creation, development and performance of:
- A piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text using the techniques and working methods of either a theatre practitioner or theatre company
All learners must produce:
- a realisation of both performances or designs
- a creative log
- an evaluation of the process of creating and realisation of the reinterpreted extract only
Unit 2: Text in Theatre
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
16% of qualification
A series of questions on one performance text:
A Doll’s House, Tanika Gupta
The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Bertolt Brecht
Face to Face, Meic Povey
The Weir, Conor McPherson
Lovesong, Abi Morgan
Once, Enda Walsh
Leave Taking, Winsome Pinnock
Year 13: A Level
-
Unit 3: Text in Action
Non-examination assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner 36% of qualification.
Students will be assessed on either acting or design.
Students participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus supplied by WJEC:
- A devised piece using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company (a different practitioner or company to that chosen for Unit 1)
- An extract from a text in a contrasting style chosen by the student.
Student must realise their performance live for the visiting examiner. Learners choosing design must also give a 5-10 minute presentation of their design to the examiner.
Learners produce a process and evaluation report within one week of completion of the practical work.
Unit 4: Text in Performance
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
24% of qualification
Sections A and B
Open book: Clean copies (no annotation) of the two complete texts chosen must be taken into the examination.
Two questions, based on two different texts, one written pre-1956 and one written post-1956:
One Man Two Governors, Carlo Goldoni (adapted Richard Bean)
The Trial, Stephen Berkoff
Blues for an Alabama Sky, Pearle Cleage
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon (adapted Simon Stephens)
Our Generation, Alecky Blythe
The Watsons, Laura Wade
Subject FAQ’s
Which examination board?
WJEC
Does the AS count towards the A level or is it a standalone qualification?
The AS qualification does count towards the full A level and is worth 40%.
How will you be assessed?
You will be assessed on both the practical work and the theoretical content. There are practical examinations at AS and A2 level and a written paper at the end of the AS course and at the end of the A2 course.
