Drama and Theatre Studies

Course summary

A Level Drama and Theatre combines a practical focus to the subject with academic rigour. You will be assessed through performance work and written examination and will get the opportunity to see a huge variety of live performance work, including cutting edge productions like Gecko’s Institute, sell out shows like Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, as well as more traditional theatre performances. Drama and Theatre is respected academically as it builds skills of research, analysis and written expression. The subject is useful for any career where confidence, communication, self-awareness, flexibility, imagination, leadership or teamwork is involved. A Level Drama and Theatre is therefore relevant for students considering Higher Education in any arts or humanities subject. The course also enables students to develop skills which are relevant to a wide range of higher education subjects and in the workplace. The skills that are learnt by studying drama are invaluable in later life. Drama can be a good basis for a career not only in the theatre, but in advertising, the film industry and even in events planning, among many others. Other career opportunities for students who are studying A Level Drama and Theatre might include arts/theatre administration; arts journalism; director; actor; designer; playwright; stage management; theatre management; commercial/public sector; sales and marketing; theatrical agent; technician; broadcasting; education; drama therapy or scriptwriting. The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to: • develop and apply an informed, analytical framework for making, performing, interpreting and understanding drama and theatre • understand the place of relevant theoretical research in informing the processes and practices involved in creating theatre and the place of practical exploration in informing theoretical knowledge of drama and theatre • develop an understanding and appreciation of how the social, cultural and historical contexts of performance texts have influenced the development of drama and theatre • understand the practices used in twenty-first century theatre making • experience a range of opportunities to create theatre, both published text-based and devised work • participate as a theatre maker and as an audience member in live theatre • understand and experience the collaborative relationship between various roles within theatre • develop and demonstrate a range of theatre-making skills • develop the creativity and independence to become effective theatre makers • adopt safe working practices as a theatre maker • analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of others.