A Level Drama and Theatre Studies
Examination Board: EDEXCEL A Level
This course combines practical and academic theory to develop your knowledge, understanding and ability to create, direct, perform and analyse Drama and Theatre.
Component One: Devising is worth 40% of the final grade. Students devise an original piece of drama from a given stimulus. The work must be influenced by a theatre practitioner. Students are assessed on their performance in their original work and written coursework between 2500-3000 words. This component will be completed in Year 12.
Component Two: Text in Performance is worth 20% of their final grade. Students perform a monologue or duologue and in an extended extract from a play as part of a small group to a visiting examiner in March of Year 13.
Component Three: Theatre Makers in Practice is worth 40% of the final grade and is a written paper sat in June of Year 13. This paper focuses on the two set texts studied over the course writing as an actor, director and designer and a theatre review based on a piece of theatre students have watched live.
The majority of lessons are practical based focused on exploring new ideas and theories, skills and play texts. Students are encouraged and supported by staff to develop the ability to work independently and as part of a group. Subject knowledge and understanding is developed in practical lessons, but also in more traditional teacher led classroom based sessions. Students are encouraged to use skills and knowledge from other subject areas to enhance and develop their ability to create, perform, analyse and evaluate drama. Theatre visits are also an essential part of the course and generally take place in the evening.
Assessment is a combination of internally and externally moderated coursework for Component One and external examinations for both practical and written for Components Two and Three.
Past students have studied drama alongside a wide range of subjects, from arts and the humanities to sciences and have gone on to study Law, Criminology, Business Studies, Geography, English, Media and Film, and Nursing, as well as Drama, at university. A level Drama and Theatre is accepted by all universities including the Russell Group.
Students with A level Drama and Theatre Studies are perceived as being excellent communicators, creative, solution seeking and confident team players; qualities employers look for and desire in their future employees