Full Time Drama and Theatre Studies AS & A Level

Drama and Theatre Studies AS & A Level

• School:
  • Sixth Form Centre
• Attendance Type:
  • Full Time
• Course Level:
  • Level 3
• Qualification:
  • As and A levels

Summary:

The Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Drama and Theatres Studies aims to bridge the gap between GCSE and full Advanced GCE by providing an opportunity to study plays from the point of view of a director, designer, performer and critic. The qualification is designed to enable you to acquire a knowledge and understanding of the language of drama and theatre as well as to develop their performing and analytical skills.

What do you need to succeed on this course ?
You must have passed GCSE English at Grade C or above. In addition, you must enjoy acting and be prepared to develop your skills and understanding to a higher level. Being a good team player is an important asset in this subject as you will be constantly working with other students. You will also be required to learn and remember lines. This is an essential skill, so make sure that you are willing and able to do this. Finally, you need to be imaginative, reliable and capable of meeting regular deadlines.

Course Length:
One year for AS and two years for a full A Level

Full Description:

What will you study?

AS Drama (Year 1)
Unit 1 Exploration of Drama and Theatre
You will explore two plays : Bouncers by John Godber (1990s Remix) and The Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen. For each text you will be required to complete 1500 words of coursework. You will also complete a 1000 word review of a live play performance that you will see as part of the course.

Unit 2 Theatre text in performance
You will select, rehearse and perform either a 2 minute monologue or a 5 minute duologue. You are also required to provide a 500 word account detailing your preparation. In addition you will perform a role in a full scale play. In certain circumstances it is possible to be examined in theatre skills such as lighting or costume design instead of acting.

A2 Drama (Year 2)

Unit 3 Exploration of Dramatic Performance
This unit requires you to work in a small group and create a unique and original piece of drama in response to stimulus material provided by your teacher/ assessor.You will be assessed on both the process of production and the finished product, which will be performed in front of an invited audience.

Unit 4 Theatre Text in Context
In Sections A and B, you will study a play selected by your teacher. You will then develop and shape your ideas for a proposed production of the play from the perspective of a director.In Section C, you are required to study and research the original performance conditions of a play (different to the one studied in Sections A and B) from a specific historical period.

How will you be assessed?
Unit 1 and Unit 3 are assessed by your teacher and then externally moderated. Unit 2 is examined externally. Unit 4 is assessed via a 2 hour 30 minute examination.

What will you learn on this course?
You will acquire and develop performance skills and learn to devise and interpret theatrical texts. You will learn to appreciate the roles of actor, director and designer. You will also learn how to evaluate live theatre. The course will also help develop your confidence and communication skills.

What other courses go well with this one?
Arts subjects, English, Media Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences all go well with Drama.

What will I need to buy?
You will need to buy copies of the selected texts. You will also be required to pay for tickets and travel to see live theatre performances.

What could you go on and do at the end of A Level Drama?
A number of our students progress to specialist Drama Schools or to Drama courses at university. Others have gone to study a variety of subjects including English, Media, Film and Law.

Anything else?
We aim to make the course enjoyable and engaging, but you must be prepared to attend regularly, meet written assignment deadlines and work hard in rehearsals and classes. In the past, our AS students have had the opportunity of working with a number of professional theatre companies; they also performed their Unit 2 productions at the Norwich Playhouse. It may be possible to offer the same opportunities to Drama students in 2010-11.

How can you find out more about Drama?
Contact Arnie McConnell: telephone 01603 773265