Drama and Theatre Studies A Level

Please make sure you have checked the entry requirements before submitting your application. Please also be aware that we use an Attainment 8 requirement for students choosing to do Science and Maths subjects. This is explained further on our website: https://www.taptonschool.co.uk/page/?title=Subjects&pid=69

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Students completing the course successfully will have a thorough understanding of drama and theatre, highly toned analytical and creative skills and an ability to communicate effectively with others. The Drama A-level provides students with the opportunity to study plays from the point of view of the director, designers, performers and critic; this knowledge extends throughout the course and enables students to apply it to their own creative work. The course provides opportunities for students to make and understand drama, recognising it as a practical art form in which ideas and meanings are communicated to an audience through a choice of form, style and convention.

Qualities Required

First and foremost you must have a real enthusiasm for drama and theatre and a willingness to extend and develop your knowledge through wider reading, theatre visits, workshops and rehearsals outside of lesson time. You must have the skills to work as a supportive member of a team.

Links with other subjects

Drama and Theatre Studies provides an excellent complement to Music, Art, English Literature and Social Sciences. However, as a subject which encourages a highly creative approach to work, develops communication skills and builds confidence it enhances student learning across the whole Post 16 curriculum.

Component 1: Theatre Workshop. 20% of Qualification. Internally assessed. Externally Moderated.

• Learners will be assessed on either acting or design. Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text chosen from a list supplied by WJEC. The piece must be developed using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company.
• Learners must produce: a realisation of the performance or design and a creative log.

Component 2: Text in Action. 40% of Qualification. Externally Assessed

• Learners will be assessed on either acting or design. Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus supplied by WJEC:
• 1. a devised piece using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company (a different practitioner or company to that chosen for Component 1)
• 2. an extract from a text in a different style chosen by the learner.
• Learners must perform live for the visiting examiner. Learners choosing design must also give a 5-10 minute presentation of their design to the examiner.
• Learners produce a process and evaluation report within one week of completion of the practical work.

Component 3: Performance In Text. 40% of Qualification. Externally Assessed.

A one written exam paper, two hours and thirty minutes in length. Will contain 3 Sections:

• Sections A and B Open book: Clean copies (no annotation) of the two complete texts chosen must be taken into the examination. Two questions, based on two different texts, one written pre1956 and one written post-1956. Pre-1956.
• Section C: A question based on a specified extract from: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens Details of the 10-15 minute extract will be released during the first week of March, in the year in which the examination is to be taken.

Extension and Enrichment Opportunities

Theatre trips to theatres in Sheffield and across the northern theatres, residentials, involvement in the school productions either on stage or backstage, theatre workshops, working with students lower down the school in Theatre Company and Musical Theatre Company. Additionally, there is a Sixth Form Theatre Company and the opportunity to be involved in the annual school play. There also may other be other Enrichment Opportunities, working with practitioners currently in the business from touring companies.

Component 1: Theatre Workshop. 20% of Qualification. Internally assessed. Externally Moderated.

Component 2: Text in Action. 40% of Qualification. Externally Assessed

Component 3: Performance In Text. 40% of Qualification. Externally Assessed.

5 in Drama or 5 in English Language and English Literature.

Tapton School's minimum entry requirements for all students: Grade 5 in English Language; Grade 4 in Mathematics and three other GCSEs at grade 4 and above.

The emphasis on communication skills, confidence building and teamwork ensures our subject has links with a wide range of subjects in Higher Education. A significant number of students apply to Drama School or study Drama and Theatre based courses at University. Some pursue a career in teaching. The skills developed are transferable to any chosen career.