A Level Drama and Theatre Studies

Why study Drama and Theatre Studies?

Theatre is a passion for those of us who work in drama, whether on stage or behind the scenes, whether as a director or as a designer. One of the most vital ingredients for successful completion of the course is an enthusiasm for all things theatrical and a determination to become a practitioner in your own right.

What will I study?

The subject content for A-level Drama and Theatre is divided into three components:

1. Drama and Theatre
2. Creating Original Drama
3. Making Theatre

Component 1: Drama and Theatre - 40% of the A-level (3 hour written paper)

Section A : Drama through the ages - a single text is studied and the students answer one question on it
- with the focus of the question being about interpretation of the play from the perspective of a performer, designer or director.

Section B : 20th and 21st century drama - you answer two questions on a given extract from one further script studied during the course. The focus of which determines your interpretation of the text into performance.

Section C : Live theatre production : you answer one question (from a choice) on a single live theatrical experience as an audience member and demonstrate your understanding of how theatre makers collaborate to create theatre, and communicate meaning to an audience.

Component 2: Creating Original Drama - 30% of the A-level (practical paper)

This is a practical component in which you 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, you must complete two assessment tasks:
Produce an individual ‘Working Notebook’ documenting the devising process
Contribute to a devised, group performance (influenced by the work and methodologies of a specific theatre practitioner)

Component 3: Making Theatre - 30% of the A-level (practical paper)

This is a practical component where you are assessed on your ability to apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in live performance and evaluate your own work.

You are required to practically explore and interpret three key extracts each from a different play and complete two assessment tasks:
Formally present Extract 3 to an audience (applying work and methodologies of a specific theatre practitioner)
Produce an individual Reflective report analyzing and evaluating their theatrical interpretation of all three key extracts studied.

Drama extras

The course is delivered in our purpose built Performing Arts Studio which has full access to recording and editing suite; and which houses the examination performance pieces.

As the course goes from strength to strength we have forged many creative partnerships including annual workshops with Out of Joint Theatre Company, Frantic Assembly and most recently Fourth Monkey Theatre Company.

It also involves seeing professional productions. That’s essential to succeed on the course. In 2013/14 our students have been to St James Theatre, The Dominion Theatre, Cambridge Arts and the Junction. You will participate in various visiting workshops and work with a variety of theatre practitioners whilst developing the skills to allow you to become a practitioner in your own right!

Minimum Entry Requirements:

5 x 5s

4 in English and Maths

Subject Specific Entry Requirements:

5 in Drama if taken at GCSE

* Please note that Level 2 vocational courses are the equivalent of 1 GCSE and only 1 will be counted towards the A-Level pathway entry requirements

What can I do with Drama after sixth form?

The list is endless. Many students will take a degree in Theatre, Drama, Film, Media or Performing Arts. Others will gain entry into a specialist drama college such as RADA. There is also the chance to work behind the scenes in theatre, film or television. You only have to see the credits of a play to see how many people work on a production in different capacities, or there is work in newspapers, magazines or journalism in general. If that is not enough, many lawyers and barristers take courses in performance. Then there is one of the fastest - growing industries in the country - PR and management.