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In a nutshell

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.

This course is for you if...

...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.

What will I be doing?

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

What is expected of me?

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.

What comes next?

Students can progress to University or a career in Performing Arts.

Additional information

You will need to contribute towards the cost of trips and visits and you will be required to purchase recommended texts.