More in this Section
Drama and Theatre
Entry Requirements
GCSE Drama, GCSE English Language OR Literature at Grade 6.
Course Content
Students should ideally have taken Drama at GCSE (although in cases where they haven’t a strong interest in Drama and a grade 6 or above in English is advisable). Prospective students should have a passion for theatre, both as performers and as audience members. The course includes the study of a play text as a stimulus from which to devise a new piece of theatre based on the work of a chosen theatre practitioner (Stanislavski for example) and this is the content of component 1. They then prepare a monologue/duologue and a group performance for a visiting examiner (component 2). The final component comprises of a written exam covering two set texts and an evaluation of a piece of live theatre (component 3). As a result students will be expected to experience at least one professional production as part of the course, whether by joining one of several school theatre trips or organising a visit to a theatre themselves.
Students are also expected to take an active role in the busy life of the school, further enhancing their appreciation of the theatre and gaining responsibility. The Performing Arts Faculty is very active, with an annual whole-school musical production at Ulverston’s Coronation Hall, a Primary Schools’ Pantomime, written and directed by the sixth form, workshop and studio performances. Sixth form students are also encouraged to enrol for the Trinity College London Drama exams that we offer at UVHS, too.
Specification
Assessment
| A Level Units in Year 12 and Year 13 | % of A Level |
|---|---|
| Component 1: Devising (coursework) | 40% |
|
· A group performance or of one key extract using a performance text as a stimulus and exploring the work of one key theatre practitioner. · 2500-3000 word portfolio exploration of the devising process and influence of the chosen practitioner with an analysis and evaluation of process |
|
|
Component 2: Text in Performance (performance exam) |
20% |
| · Preparation and performance of either a monologue or duologue and a group performance of an extract from a chosen text to a visiting examiner. | |
| Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice (2.5 hours exam) | 40% |
|
· Live theatre evaluation. · Study and written response to a complete Play text and how it would be performed. · Study of a second complete play text and how it could be realised in performance in the style of a chosen theatre practitioner (e.g. Brecht). |
|
Careers
Career opportunities for students who study A-level Drama and Theatre Studies include: Arts/theatre administration, arts journalism, director, actor, designer, playwright, stage management, theatre management, theatrical agent, technician, broadcasting, media presenting, education, drama therapy and scriptwriting.
Contact Mr Vogler