A Level: Drama & Theatre Studies

If you are currently enjoying and achieving in GCSE Drama then this course is definitely for you. The course is designed to deepen and develop your understanding of how to explore, perform and respond to Drama. The bulk of the assessment is practical and there is no written exam paper until the end of Y13. If you don’t currently study Drama then you are still welcome, but you must have the confidence to perform and achieve at least a 4 grade in English.

Component 1 (40% of A Level) Using the play ‘Monsters’ by Niklas Radstrom as a stimulus you will devise a piece of Drama in the style of the practitioner Bertolt Brecht. The performance will be performed, filmed and externally moderated.

In addition to this you are required to write supporting coursework that details the process.

Component 2

You will perform a monologue or duologue to a visiting examiner.

As part of a group you will also perform a play to the visiting examiner.

Component 3

You will sit a written exam on how you would act/direct/design the following two plays:

• Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo

• The Tempest by William Shakespeare

In addition to this you will also write an answer to a question a piece of live theatre that you will be taken to see

• Devised performance (10% of A Level) and supporting coursework (30% of A Level)

• Performance of a monologue or duologue (10% of A Level)

• Performance of a published play (10% of A Level)

• Written exam (40% of A Level)

6 grade 5s (or equivalent), including at least a grade 5 in English Language or Literature.

At least a 5 in the relevant subject if taken.

This course is particularly suitable for those who wish to study Drama, Musical Theatre or Acting at University or Drama school. Many previous students have gained successful entry to a number of professional training establishments and a large amount of support is given to the students to help them with their applications and auditions. In the study of the course, the students develop a creative mind and a confidence with which to speak, present and communicate. This can therefore lead into many other areas of study and work including Drama teaching at secondary level, primary teaching, sales, law, the police, the forces, business, social work and many more.