Drama and Theatre Studies

Course summary

You will gain a deeper understanding of the creative process of theatre; the social, cultural and historical influences on drama writing, theatre production and performance, exploring how plays are brought to life by actors, directors and practitioners. You will have opportunities to develop your performance skills and will also learn to devise, direct, design and review a variety of live theatre productions. For the two-year linear A Level course you will study: Component 1: Devising (40% of the A Level) • You will devise an original performance piece, using one key extract from a first studied performance text and the methodology of an influential theatre practitioner as your stimuli. • You will complete a 3,000-word explorative coursework portfolio. Your practical performance and your supporting coursework portfolio is marked internally and moderated externally. Component 2: Text in Performance (20%) • You will study a second performance text and perform one key extract as a group performance. • You will perform a monologue or duologue from a third performance text. • Your performances are externally assessed by a visiting examiner. Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice (40%) • You will respond to a statement question, which asks you to analyse and evaluate a Live Theatre Performance you have seen during the course. • You will also answer two extended questions about how you would interpret an unseen extract from a fourth performance text studied, focusing on how this scene can be effectively communicated as a performer and a designer. • You will also answer one extended question based on a fifth performance text you have studied, in line with a chosen theatre practitioner, focusing on how you would creatively stage and communicate this text as a director.