A Level Drama and Theatre

This qualification is for students interested in a career within Drama and Theatre. The qualification is one A Level and aims to provide a variety of performance experience and knowledge in Drama and Theatre.

This course focuses heavily on the practical aspect of Drama and Theatre. It enables students to refine and further their skills as actors whilst developing their understanding of Drama and Theatre.

Students will complete the following components:

Component 1: Practitioners in Practice

Students explore practically the work of theatre practitioners and use the skills gained to explore text and create devised theatre. They are required to practically explore two practitioners and an extract from a performance text, and perform a devised piece of drama or theatre for an audience.

Component 2: Exploring and Performing Texts

Students explore performance texts in its entirety and perform part of the text, applying the relevant skills to communicate the meaning in a performance text to an audience. This will also link to their knowledge of Practitioners in their previous component.

Component 3: Analysing Performance

Students explore practically two performance texts on a chosen theme, and analyse and evaluate live theatre. This written examination includes two sections:

Section A: students study two different performing texts on a given theme and develop knowledge and understanding of how extracts can be rehearsed and interpreted in performance

Section B: students analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance.

Component 4: Deconstructing Texts for Performance

Students will interpret and explore practically a performance text considering how to create, develop and direct a performance for an audience. This will utilise their knowledge and understanding required for their other components.

A mixture of internally and externally assessments including performances of devised and scripted performances, design project tasks, arrangements, video tutorials, presentations and written reports.

To study A Level Drama and Theatre, students require a GCSE Grade 6 or equivalent in Drama or a similar subject title. Students should also show an interest in Drama and Theatre.

In addition to the Drama and Theatre course content above, this qualification gives learners transferable and higher-order skills valued by Higher education providers and employers. For examples, skills would include team work, presentation and public speaking skills, social skills. It gives learners an opportunity to focus on their performance techniques of vocal and physical skills, in addition to creative techniques. This qualification will support entry to higher education courses in a performance environment.