Drama & Theatre Studies
Why Should I Study This Subject?
Drama & Theatre Studies will deepen and develop your performing, directing and analytical skills in almost equal measure. Throughout the course you will improve your skills in performing. You will experience a wide variety of theatre and develop a more informed appreciation of how and why it was written and/or performed. As well as experiencing a wide range of Theatre Trips which include visits to The Globe Theatre and the National Theatre we also run an annual trip to New York where we enjoy the full Broadway experience. Students who study Drama and Theatre Studies have gone on to study a range of Degree Courses is subjects such as Drama, Teaching, Fashion Design and Creative Media.
What Will I Study?
Unit 1: Exploration of Drama & Theatre - 30% of AS (Coursework and Practical Activities)
In this unit you will be introduced to two contrasting plays. You will also look at the work of some famous theatre directors and theatre companies. This Unit will be assessed through Coursework and Practical Activities undertaken in lessons.
Unit 2: Text in Performance - 70% of AS (External Performance Exam)
In this unit you will perform a role in a production of a play. In preparation for this unit you will take part in workshops that will help you to develop your performance skills. You will also be required to perform a monologue or duologue. The final performance will be assessed by an external examiner who will attend one of the performances alongside an invited audience.
Unit 3: Devising - 40% A2 (Coursework and Internal Performance Exam)
Your task will be to become a Theatre Company and produce a piece of live Theatre aimed at a target audience. At the heart of this unit is the response to and exploration of a stimulus, theme, issue or play, and how that may be shaped and developed into an original piece of live theatre.
Unit 4: Theatre Text in Context - 60% of A2 (External Written Exam)
For this unit you are required to complete a 2.5 hour written paper where you will demonstrate your analytical and evaluative skills in relation to two different Theatre time periods. For one section of the exam you are required to write about a live Theatre experience that you have had and be able to compare and contrast the contemporary performance, with how the play would have been staged in original conditions.
Exam Board
Edexcel further details can be found on the following website:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce08/drama/Pages/default.aspx
What Can I do Next?
Further study in Drama, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts in Higher Education or at HND level. It can then lead to a career in any of the performing arts industries. Drama and Theatre Studies at Advanced level is useful in building confidence and improving presentation skills — a benefit for most careers.
What Grades Will I Need?
8 GCSE grades A*- C. Students need at least a grade B in English Language to progress onto this course.
Student Quote
“The course has enabled me to become more confident in myself and I have also learnt skills that can be carried over into different situations. Not only have I been able to improve as an individual but also as part of a group of actors. I very much enjoy the happy friendly and bubbly atmosphere when working in The Theatre with the drama teachers, who work their hardest to ensure we are the best we can be. I feel confident that the skills I have developed in Drama can help me in any future career as I am confident in my abilities and am able to communicate well with others”.