Drama and Theatre Studies (A-Level)

Outline

The course combines practical performance, creative theatre-making and academic analysis across three units.

Unit 1 – Devising

Create and perform an original piece of theatre influenced by a theatre practitioner.

You will develop your own ideas and explore how theatrical techniques can be used to communicate meaning through performance.

Unit 2 – Text in Performance

Develop your acting and performance skills through the rehearsal and performance of two scripted extracts.

You will explore how a dramatic text can be interpreted for performance and develop the practical skills required to communicate character and meaning to an audience.

Unit 3 – Theatre Makers in Practice

Explore themes, characterisation, social issues and theatrical interpretations of a selected script.

You will study Georg Büchner’s influential expressionist drama and its impact on modern theatre practice, alongside analysing and evaluating professional theatre productions.

Enrichment opportunities

Your learning will extend beyond the classroom through opportunities including:

• Visits to professional theatre productions
• Theatre workshops
• College productions
• Performing Arts enrichment activities
• Collaborative projects with the wider Performing Arts department

These experiences allow you to encounter professional theatre practice while developing your own performance and creative skills.

Progression

A-Level Drama & Theatre Studies can support progression into higher education and careers across theatre, performance, arts, media and other industries where communication and creative thinking are valued.

Theatre and Performance

Potential career areas include:

• Actor
• Director
• Theatre Practitioner
• Producer
• Stage Manager

Arts and Media

The course can also support progression towards:

• Arts Administration
• Event Management
• Community Arts
• Broadcasting
• Media Production

Wider careers

The skills developed through Drama & Theatre Studies can also support progression into:

• Teaching
• Journalism
• Law
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Social Work
• Higher Education and Further Study

Assessment

The course combines practical performance, coursework and a written examination.

Devised Performance and Coursework

You will create and perform a practical devised piece alongside completing portfolio coursework that demonstrates your creative development.

Scripted Performance

You will rehearse and perform two scripted extracts, demonstrating your acting, interpretation and performance skills.

Written Examination

You will complete a written examination based on set texts and the evaluation of live theatre.

Across these assessments, you will demonstrate practical performance skills alongside written analysis, evaluation, creative thinking, research and your understanding of theatre-making.

Entry Requirements

A combination of 5 Grade 4’s and 5’s or above at GCSE (including maths and English). * One Vocational Qualification in a related subject area will be considered in place of a GCSE.

* Fees

Don’t let the cost of studying put you off – most of our students study for FREE, and those who don’t qualify for funding are very often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Eligibility depends on both the course you have chosen to study and your individual circumstances.

Apply

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