Drama and Theatre Studies

Assessment

The Edexcel syllabus lets you study plays from the point of view of a director, designer, performer and critic. You acquire the knowledge and understanding of the language of drama and theatre, as well as develop your performing and analytical skills. You gain a thorough understanding of drama and theatre, highly developed analytical skills, and an ability to communicate effectively with others. In addition, you acquire time management and leadership skills, giving you the ability to work under pressure, as you fulfil reading commitments, written and practical assessments Component 1: Devising (40% of qualification) You devise an original performance piece using one key extract from a performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli. This internally assessed (externally moderated) unit has two parts: a portfolio of 2,500 – 3,000 words (60 marks) and a performance or design realisation (20 marks). Component 2: Text in Performance (20% of qualification) You participate in both a group performance of one key extract from a performance text and a monologue or duologue of an extract from another performance text. Both are assessed by a visiting examiner. Again, there are design opportunities in place of performances. Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice (40% of qualification) This two-and-a-half-hour written examination is divided into: • Section A: Live Theatre Evaluation You answer one extended response question, from a choice of two, analysing and evaluating a live theatre performance seen. • Section B: Page to Stage: Realising a Performance Text You answer two extended response questions based on an unseen extract from a performance text studied. You must demonstrate how you, as theatre makers, intend to realise the extract in performance. You answer from the perspective of a performer and a designer. • Section C: Interpreting a Performance Text You answer one extended response question, from a choice of two, based on an unseen named section from the chosen performance text. You must outline how the work of the chosen practitioner has influenced the overall production concept and demonstrate awareness of the performance text in its original performance conditions.