Drama and Theatre Studies emphasises practical creativity alongside research and theoretical understanding of theatre and drama practices. As a student you will learn through experience, seeing live theatre, and making theatre yourself. You will be introduced to a wide range of theatrical styles and contexts as you explore plays, including devising and creating your own work with others. The course will involve taking part in workshops on a range of different theatre practitioners and exploring their methodologies in action focusing on a range of play texts and their social and historical contexts. You will be expected to be able to perform monologues, duologues, and group performance pieces as well as consider work from a designer’s perspective. You will take part in devised and scripted drama productions, as well as studying, both contemporary and classical plays and playwrights. You will investigate how relevant research, independent thought, and analysis of live theatre production can inform decision-making in practical work and have the opportunity to experiment with styles, genre, and form. Work is assessed both practically and through written assignments and examinations. The Advanced level in Drama & Theatre has 3 components. Component 1 – Devising 40% • Devised piece must be influenced by a theatre practitioner Students work on a text and then use an extract of this as the stimulus for their own devised piece. Students can either take an acting or design option. Assessment – The devised performance (can be performing or design route) Portfolio (3000 words) or equivalent in videoed response. Component 2 – Text in Performance 20% • Group performance of one key extract • A monologue or duologue performance from one key extract from a different text. Students can either take an acting or design option. Assessment – Externally assessed by a visiting examiner. Component 3 – Theatre Makers in Practice 40% • Live theatre evaluation • Study of a text – how it can be realised in performance • Study of another text – Practical exploration and interpretation in light of a practitioner Assessment – 2.5 hour written exam Year 12. The year begins with an exploration of a range of texts looking at style and genre from the point of view of a performer, designer, and director. Students then work collaboratively in lessons and explore and realise texts practically Edexcel developing their knowledge of theatre and key drama practitioners. Students then prepare monologues and duologues for performance looking at the medium of performance and communication. Elements of all three components are then interleaved to give students grounding in all of the core skills allowing them a chance to experiment and expand their knowledge of 21st Century theatre making. By the end of year 12 students will complete component 1. Year 13. In the second year of the course students explore the relationship between theory and practice in a range of theatrical styles with a focus on components 2 and 3. Work is both independent and collaborative and allows for analysis and reflection. Component 2 is completed in March and the written exam for component 3 is completed in June. Throughout the course students will analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of others and participate as theatre makers as well as audience members in live theatre. Why Study… The course combines the activities of exploring and performing plays, creating theatre, the analysis of theatre and the critical evaluation of all of these elements. Students gain a thorough understanding of drama and theatre as an art form and develop analytical and creative skills. The course provides progression to a variety of Higher Education courses in drama and theatre studies or in other relevant subjects and specialist institutions. What will I learn? The course demands practical, creative and communication skills. You will extend your ability to create drama and theatre, either in a performing or a production role. You will also be required to write about Drama and to develop your powers of analysis to become an informed critic. The course will involve taking part in exploring plays practically as well as studying 19 plays and playwrights. You need to be curious about issues and ideas and have a creative instinct for communicating your views on Drama. You may be keen on acting, writing or on the visual/technical side of theatre and wish to develop your skills in some or all of these areas. Equally you will be interested in going to the theatre to see plays performed by different theatre companies. What can I do after I have completed the course? The A Level can lead to further study in Drama, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts in Higher Education at degree level. It can be used as part of your course to broaden your studies and may lead to a career in the Performing Arts industry. It can also build your confidence and improve your presentational skills in a range of careers.