A Level Drama and Theatre

What will I Learn?

Component 1 : Drama and Theatre

Component 1: Drama and theatre
What’s assessed

  • Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
  • Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B
  • Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers
How it’s assessed

  • Written exam: 3 hours
  • Open book
  • 80 marks
  • 40% of A-level

Set plays :

‘A Servant to Two Masters’ – Goldoni

‘Our Country’s Good’ – Wertenbaker

Component 2 : Creating Original Drama (Practical)

What’s assessed

  • Process of creating devised drama
  • Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)

Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner
How it’s assessed

  • Working notebook (40 marks)
  • Devised performance (20 marks)
  • 60 marks in total
  • 30% of A-level

Prescribed Practitioner: Kneehigh

Component 3 : Making Theatre (Practical)

What’s assessed

  • Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts (Extract 1, 2 and 3) each taken from a different play

Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3

Extract 3 is to be performed as a final assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)

  • Reflective report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts
How it’s assessed

  • Performance of Extract 3 (40 marks)
  • Reflective report (20 marks)
  • 60 marks in total
  • 30% of A-level

Prescribed Practitioner:Frantic Assembly

How will I be Taught?

Drama and Theatre is taught in a variety of ways including:

  • Practical workshops to explore texts, learn and develop new dramatic techniques and prepare work for performance.
  • Theory lessons developing knowledge, understanding, vocabulary, interpretation and deep analysis of texts, performances and practitioners.
  • Live theatre performances in the evening to see a range of modern, exciting theatre in our local venues (eg, Curve, Leicester; Warwick Arts Centre; The Rep, Birmingham).
  • Independent and group study tasks including research, further reading, exam preparation and coursework drafting.
  • Additional rehearsal outside of lesson time: this may be in the evening, at weekends or in school holidays.

Why is Drama a useful Subject to take?

Drama develops key workplace and life skills: confidence, cooperation, teamwork, negotiation, creativity, leadership and presentation.  It reflects an ability to not only learn and create performance work for audiences but to experiment with ideas as part of a group.

Previous students have gone on to study a wide range of degree courses.  Students who have continued their study of theatre at a higher level are pursuing careers in performing, teaching, theatre administration and business.

Which Practical Skills Can I Choose?

Students create a devised drama in year 12 and a scripted in year 13 for final assessment; as our Drama department is exceptionally well resourced, we are able to offer various ‘pathways’ through the practical components.  We currently offer:

  • Acting
  • Lighting
  • Sound
  • Set Design
  • Costume Design

More information can be found here