AS Drama and Theatre Studies
A Level
In Eastleigh
Description
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Type
A Level
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Location
Eastleigh
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Duration
1 Year
This course offers the opportunity to study Drama and Theatre Studies as part of a dynamic and successful Theatre Arts Department. The course will provide you with a thorough understanding of the theory and practical skills of drama and theatre. You will take part in practical workshops, have the opportunity to study play texts, a variety of different theatre practitioners and/or theatre.
Important information
Government funding available
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
All students are expected to have five GCSE passes, including a grade C or above in English (Language or Literature). It is not necessary to have studied Drama at GCSE, what is important is a real interest in drama and the theatre.
Reviews
Course programme
Drama and Theatre Studies
This course offers the opportunity to study Drama and Theatre Studies as part of a dynamic and successful Theatre Arts Department. The course will provide you with a thorough understanding of the theory and practical skills of drama and theatre. You will take part in practical workshops, have the opportunity to study play texts, a variety of different theatre practitioners and/or theatre companies, watch and analyse live performances as well as perform your own work both devised and scripted.
The course will appeal if you are interested in drama and the theatre and enjoy a mixture of theoretical and practical work. This highly practical and academic subject has been accepted for a long time by universities including Oxford and Cambridge and students use it as a springboard into a very wide variety of careers.
Lessons will be taught in the Rose Theatre, a new 250 seat theatre, or in one of the two well equipped and purpose built drama studios.
Throughout the course you are expected to see as much live theatre as possible. There are organised trips to various plays on a regular basis and the more theatre you see, the wider your knowledge and experience will become.
What Will I Learn On This Course?
· You will develop your own theatre practice through performing and watching a wide variety of work.
· You will develop your own skills in acting, directing, design, lighting and/or sound.
· You will learn how to present scenes from a play and devise an original group project.
· You will learn how to interpret, from a performance perspective, plays from different genres and
periods of theatre.
· You will learn how to research the work of theatre practitioners including influential directors,
designers and theatre companies who have made a significant contribution to theatre practice.
· You will learn how performers, designers and directors communicate meaning to an audience.
· You will learn how to form judgements about live theatre productions.
· You will develop the ability to respond critically to all aspects of drama and theatre.
· You will learn how to think independently and apply your own imagination, judgements and
research to your work.
Course Content And Method Of Assessment
AS Level
Working in a group you will rehearse and perform an extract from a scripted play text. To support your practical work you will research and study the theories, practice and influence of a theatre practitioner, theatre company or influential director or designer linked to your practical work.
You will study a second play and in your written exam will answer one question on this from the perspective of a director, actor or designer.
You will see and analyse a number of live theatre performances. You will assess the success of productions seen in terms of directorial interpretation, actor's performances, design elements and technical accomplishments. This information will be used to answer one question in your written exam.
A2 Level
You will develop your knowledge and practical skills further. You will work in a group to create and perform a piece of original devised theatre whilst also researching the theatrical style you are performing in. You will study two more play texts and will answer a question on each text from the perspective of a director, actor or designer in your written exam. In the exam you will also have to provide a complete stage realisation of a short extract from one of the texts you have studied.
You will continue to see, discuss and analyse live theatre performances.
Throughout the course you will receive regular feedback on the practical and written work you are completing. Most of the written work will be in the form of essays or the presentation of research. Formal assessment of this course occurs in a written and a practical exam. You can nominate a skill for assessment in the practical exam - acting, directing, costume design, mask design, set design, lighting and/or sound.
After The Course
You could follow a degree course in Acting, Drama and Theatre Arts, Performing Arts or almost any other subject including, as one recent student, Veterinary Science at Cambridge. Or you could study a vocational course at Drama School. In which case you will find this a useful course as a foundation in professional theatre technique and discipline.
Our past students have become actors, journalists, teachers, psychologists, theatre technicians, arts administrators, doctors, architects or found work in films, with the police - almost anything. One thing they have found to be invaluable, is the self-knowledge and confidence that this course provides.
Subject Combinations
Drama and Theatre Studies combines well with all subjects. It is not a matter of choosing this option only if you wish to follow a career in the theatre. Present students combine the study of Drama and Theatre Studies with Maths & Further Maths, Science subjects, Languages as well as the more expected combinations of Art and English Language or Literature A Levels.
Entry Requirements
All students are expected to have five GCSE passes, including a grade C or above in English (Language or Literature). It is not necessary to have studied Drama at GCSE, what is important is a real interest in drama and the theatre.
AS Drama and Theatre Studies