Course Overview
Drama and Theatre Studies is for students who enjoy reading and watching plays, as well as taking part, whether performing, directing or designing sets and costumes.
…you’re enthusiastic about theatre
…you want a practical and theoretical study programme
…you’re creative and interested in following the Creative Arts Pathway, the Design and Media Pathway, the English and Writing Pathway.
This course offers students the freedom to choose both the content and the form of their practical presentations. In total, you’ll be studying 4 units:
AS Unit 1: Theatre Workshop
Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated, 24% of qualification. You’ll be assessed on either acting or design and participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre.
You must produce:
- A realisation of the performance or design
- A creative log
- An evaluation
AS Unit 2: Text in Theatre Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
16% of the qualification. Open book: A series of questions based on A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller.
A Level (the above plus a further 2 Units)
A2 Unit 3: Text in Action
Non-exam assessment, externally assessed by a visiting examiner, 36% of the qualification. You’ll create, develop and perform as either an actor or designer:
- A devised piece using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company
- An extract from a text in a different style chosen by you
You’ll present your performance live for a visiting examiner. For those choosing design, you’ll give a non-assessed 5-10 minute presentation of your design to the examiner. You must produce a process and evaluation report within one week of completion of the practical work.
A2 Unit 4: Text in Performance – Written Examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
24% of the qualification. Open book: Two questions, based on two different texts: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg by Peter Nichols or The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning by Tim Price and Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim. Please be prepared to attend several theatre visits throughout the course.
Upon completion of the course, you’ll achieve:
- AS Level Drama and Theatre Studies
- A Level Drama and Theatre Studies
To enter this course, you’ll need a minimum of 5 GCSEs. Grade C or above, to include Maths/Maths Numeracy and English/Welsh First Language
A grade B in English is desirable to study AS Drama. Alternative subject achievements might be considered if you do not have a grade “B”. Please talk to one of our advisors.
Students can progress to University or a career in Performing Arts.
Minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C or above to include Maths/Numeracy and English/Welsh 1st Language
You will need to contribute towards the cost of trips and visits and you will be required to purchase recommended texts.
