Drama and Theatre, A Level

Students should ensure that they meet the entry requirements for the courses they are applying for (available on subject pages) as well as the overall entry requirements (5 grades at level 4 or above but must include English and Maths).

Students need to choose a minimum of three subjects to study. Please note that all of our BTEC courses are single BTEC's and equivalent to 1 A Level, you will need to choose two further subjects if choosing a BTEC course.

Please ensure you have put contact details for yourself and a parent should we need to contact you.

At Advanced level, Drama involves the study of theatre with a clear focus on Practitioners and understanding the different mediums found within the theatre from acting to design realisation. Students will develop either their performance skills or design and further advance their skills of analysis as the course encourages learners to think critically about theatre and interpreting life itself. Students learn how to analyse play texts both historical and contemporary whilst incorporating practitioner’s styles and methods. Equally they will develop their written word through in-depth critical comment on live theatre.

Components one and two explore a theatre practitioner in depth and apply this knowledge to the different texts being studied. This is a fantastic insight into contemporary theatre and develops each individuals understanding, creativity and ability to analyse and evaluate their own response to professional works. Live Theatre Evaluation - Students answer one extended response question from a choice of two requiring them to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance they have seen in light of a given critical assertion. Section B: Page to Stage: Realising a Performance Text - Students answer two extended response questions based on an unseen extract from the studied text. Students will demonstrate how they, as theatre makers, intend to realise the extract in performance. Students answer from the perspective of a performer and a designer. Section C: Interpreting a Performance Text - Students will answer one extended response question from a choice of two based on an unseen named section from their chosen performance text. Students will demonstrate how their re-imagined production concept will communicate ideas to a contemporary audience. Students will also need to outline how the work of their chosen theatre practitioner has influenced their overall production concept and demonstrate an awareness of the performance text in its original performance conditions.

Devising - 40% of the qualification - 80 marks

• 60 marks portfolio, 20 marks realisation performance/design

Text in performance – 20% of the qualification - 60 marks

• Group performance/design realisation: worth 36 marks.
• Monologue or duologue/design realisation: worth 24 marks

Theatre Makers in Practice – 40% of the qualification - 80 marks

• Live Theatre Evaluation 20 marks
• Page to Stage: Realising a Performance Text 36 marks
• Interpreting a Performance Text 24 marks,

• Grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language
• Grade 5 or above in GCSE English Literature

You need to be predicted and achieve all the grades listed above in order to undertake this subject.

The qualification is a perfect accompaniment for students wanting to go on to any further education it obviously significantly supports the Arts and the study of law and media. However, it is supported as a gateway subject to any higher education subject at all redbrick universities regard its merit therefore, if this is your strongest subject it should be a definite yes for study at A level. Stage and screen is a multibillion industry of the arts in the UK therefore this is a step in the right direction.