A Level Drama and Theatre

This course requires practical, creative, reflective and imaginative students. During this area of study you will develop or extend your ability to create Drama and Theatre in a performing role. You will complete detailed studies of published material, playwrights and performances. Throughout the course you will be required to attend a wide number of Theatre performances and productions, workshops and seminars.

You are not required to have studied GCSE Drama to take this course, but must be prepared to perform at all sessions.

There are 3 components to the course: 2 coursework components and 1 final written exam.

Components 1 and 2 wholly focus on the practical exploration and performance of play texts to an audience. During the development and rehearsal process, you will keep a clear record of your work in a portfolio of evidence.

You will also be directed as an actor in two performances, additionally you will create and perform your own original drama during these components.

The final examination is based on the evaluation, analysis and performance theories of Practitioners, as you will be evaluating a live performance you have seen as well as answering questions on play texts that you have either performed in, designed for or even directed.

60% of the work assessed is practically based. This is split over 2 coursework components.

Component 1: Devising 40% of A-level qualification.
Students will explore a play, with specific reference to a Theatre Practitioner. Following this class activity you will create, in groups, an original piece of theatre, either as a performer or designer, and present it to an audience. Throughout the process you will record your developing work in a portfolio. The work will be internally observed, documented and assessed by your Drama teacher.

Component 2: Text in Performance 20% of A-level qualification
This unit gives you the chance to demonstrate your acting skills in 2 performances. For the first performance you must offer either a monologue or a duologue. The second performance requires you to contribute to a performance of a professionally published play. A Visiting Examiner externally assesses these performances.

The final 40% of the qualification is awarded in:

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice.
The final written exam of the course is a 2.5 hour exploration of 3 areas of study:

• a live theatre evaluation
• two questions on a Play studied during the course
• your Production Concept of a single set text (Play)

The minimum requirement is 7 GCSE or equivalent passes at grades 9-4 in an appropriate range of subjects, including Maths and English Language at grade 4 or above.

The college will accept one BTEC at Merit level as one GCSE equivalent.

Where a student continues on to an A-level from a GCSE subject, it is advisable for a student to have a minimum of a grade 5.

Participating in performances is a vital part of your studies at The Oakes College. As well as the examination requirement for performance material during the two-year course, you will be given the opportunity to participate in plays and events across the school year.

It will be a requirement that students attempt to visit the theatre regularly and participate in discussions and reviews. Whilst the Drama department will ensure that suitable performance trips are arranged, higher-achieving students will be independently organising their own visits.

Sixth Form students participate in and make a fantastic contribution to the whole school musical, which brings together the college and school students. Over the last few years performances have included: Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables and Grease. The Sixth Form have often taken primary roles both on stage and provided the technical support needed. Students are invited to participate in the National Theatre 'New Views' project.An annual playwriting festival, New Views includes workshops on playwrighting festival, New Views includes National Theatre - a visit to see the production and finally the submission of an original play to the National Theatre.

Finally, Sixth Form students are invited to join the Sixth Form Drama Club. This meets once a week and these sessions are open to all students of all abilities and interests. In these sessions you will participate in a number of Drama exercises and activities that will develop and hone your skills for university or to audition for Stage School. For the last four years, 90% of our students applying to Drama School have achieved their first place choice - RADA, Guildhall and Mountview are just a selection of the institutions at which Oakes students study.