Drama And Theatre Studies AS / A Level

A Level

In Scarborough

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    A Level

  • Location

    Scarborough

  • Duration

    2 Years

Drama and Theatre Studies involves the exploration of performance. You will extend your ability to create drama and theatre, either in a performing or production role. The course will involve taking part in drama productions, performing monologues or duologues, workshop productions based on improvisation as well as studying plays and playwrights. Teaching will take place in the College Drama.

Important information

Government funding available

Facilities

Location

Start date

Scarborough (North Yorkshire)
See map
Sandybed Lane, YO12 5LF

Start date

On request

About this course

There are no special requirements to do the course, beyond an enthusiasm to be involved in gaining a greater understanding of how theatre and plays work. It is possible to do some design work as well as acting and performance as part of the course. You do not have to have taken GCSE Drama before, but it is important that you are keen to be involved with performances, be curious about issues and...

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Course programme


DRAMA & THEATRE STUDIES AS / A LEVEL
Drama and Theatre Studies involves the exploration of performance. You will extend your ability to create drama and theatre, either in a performing or production role. The course will involve taking part in drama productions, performing monologues or duologues, workshop productions based on improvisation as well as studying plays and playwrights. Teaching will take place in the College Drama Studio which is equipped with lights and sound system. There is a classroom and workshop attached to the studio where props can be made. This syllabus promotes practical, creative and communication skills in almost equal measure and there will be a number of visits to the theatre together, though you are also encouraged to see as much theatre work on your own as you can. Although you will be required to write about drama and to develop your powers of analysis to become an informed critic, the course involves a high level of practical exploration.

What and how will I be studying? AS - Year 1
There are two units that make up the AS.

In the first unit, you will be studying two contrasting plays in style or period, at least one of which will take into account a recognised practitioner. We select our own texts and these will be studied through workshops. You will submit a record of the explorations in a maximum of 3000 words.

Also, in the first unit, you will submit an evaluation of a live theatre performance that you have seen. This can be one of the plays that you have been studying in class or a different one. We provide evidence on video/DVD of the way we have worked for moderation purposes.

Together with the other exploration notes, this makes up 40% of the AS marks and is internally assessed.

The first section of the second unit requires you to offer either a monologue or a duologue. In the second section, you will participate in a performance of a professionally published play by a known writer. It will be directed by your teacher, though you will be encouraged to contribute all the ideas you will have acquired from your explorations in unit 1.

You may offer either acting or a design form and must also provide [in writing] a concept of the interpretation of your chosen roles or designs. The performances will be assessed by a visiting examiner and this unit makes up the other 60% of the AS marks

A2 - Year 2
This part of the course, which is when you are in the Upper Sixth, is also divided into two units.

As part of a group of students, you will devise an original piece of theatre. You will submit an evaluation of your involvement and your achievement in the devising process and this and your performance will be assessed internally and then externally moderated. A video/DVD will be made both of the final performance and of a sample of the sessions you have completed along the way and sent off to the moderator. [40% of the A2 marks]

The final unit will be a written examination divided into three sections. Sections A and B require you to explore one play from a choice of three set play texts, from the point of view of a director. In Section C, a selection must be made from one of a choice of three historic periods of theatre history. You will have been to see a live performance of a play from the chosen period and made evaluative notes that you can take into the examination with you. You will use them to answer a question that requires you to make a comparison between the production you have seen with the original staging conditions of the play. This section will constitute the further 60% of the A2 course.

What skills will I need and be developing during the course?
This course helps to develop personal confidence and communication skills to a high level. When exploring plays, you will read, analyse, discuss and present ideas. You will need to work independently and with members of a group; you will need to be organised and meet deadlines. You will develop performance skills and gain at least an appreciation of the production side. You will also be developing written [analytical and summary] skills through the documentation which accompanies the internally marked / externally moderated units. Essay skills will be developed for the examination unit at the end of the course. Through the devising elements you will be extending your performance skills in an imaginative way, developing creative writing skills, as well as personal skills such as decision making - independently and as part of a group - and leadership and organisation skills. You will need to be a practical person as well as someone who is interested in ideas. This is a varied and exciting course - all students remember their drama class.

How is the Course assessed? AS - Year 1

Unit 1 : Exploration of Drama and Theatre: Internally assessed/externally moderated coursework based on classwork explorations and evaluation of a live performance.

Unit 2 : Externally assessed practical - roles in group performance and monologues/duologues, plus written concept from each student explaining performance ideas

A2 - Year 2

Unit 4 : Devising: Internally assessed/Externally moderated performance and coursework

Unit 5 : Written examination - Evaluation of a live performance of a play from a chosen historical period; written exploration of rehearsal techniques and written presentation of a possible staging of the chosen set text.

What career opportunities are there?
Further study in drama to HND or degree level; Theatre design/administration/performance; Theatre in Education/Drama Therapy. Drama complements a range of subjects [For example, Psychology, Foreign Languages, English Language and English Literature] and is useful in building confidence and improving presentation skills in a range of careers from administration to public relations.

...and what else?
We hope to organise at least one visit to London - a two-day visit in the Spring term seeing three performances. In addition, there are regular visits to more local theatres which can include Newcastle and Leeds and we have contributions as appropriate and possible from the Chief Examiner, Sir Alan Ayckbourn as well as visits and workshops by other professional practitioners [actors and directors].

Entry Requirement
There are no special requirements to do the course, beyond an enthusiasm to be involved in gaining a greater understanding of how theatre and plays work. It is possible to do some design work as well as acting and performance as part of the course. You do not have to have taken GCSE Drama before, but it is important that you are keen to be involved with performances, be curious about issues and ideas and have a creative instinct for communicating your views through drama. You will be interested in going to the theatre to see plays performed by different theatre companies and be open and ready to take on new and maybe challenging ideas.

Drama And Theatre Studies AS / A Level

Price on request