DRAMA

Subject Department: DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES

Examination Board: AQA

AS Code: 5241 A2 Code: 6241

Specification Summary
The course is concerned with the creation and appreciation of theatre, involving the candidate’s own work, the study of written theatrical texts and the analysis of theatrical performances seen. There is also exploration of the theoretical writings on the subject.

Aims of the Course
The primary aim of the course is to encourage an interest in and an enjoyment of theatre. This will involve an understanding of a variety of theatrical forms, both read and seen, and will include the performance of theatrical pieces both from existing plays and the creation of original pieces. Candidates who are more interested in the design and technical aspects of theatre may specialise in them and not submit acting as any part of their final assessment.

Prior Level of Attainment
It is not essential to have studied GCSE Drama in order to do this course but it is a distinct advantage. An interest in and a reasonable grade (B or above) are advisable in either Drama itself, English Literature, Music or Art.

Course Content Summary - Advanced Subsidiary (AS)

Unit 1
Weighting: 30% A2 (60% AS)
A written response to live theatre. The study of one set text 90 minute exam.

Unit 2
The performance of an extract from a published play, accompanied by a written portfilio.

Course Content Summary - A2 level

Unit 3
Weighting: 30% A2
Study of two set texts. 2 hour written exam.

Unit 4
Weighting: 20% A2
The creation of an original piece of theatre accompanied by a written portfolio.

A candidate may choose to create the costumes, set, masks etc for either Unit 2 or 4 or both.

The method of working in this subject is intended to be practical rather than theoretical, although the ability to write about the work is an essential element of the assessment process.

Links to Careers, Employment and Higher Education
This course is an obvious choice for anyone intending to make a career in the theatre or the media, but it is also useful as a supporting choice for anyone who enjoys theatre, regardless of their other disciplines, and for anyone who needs to present ideas in oral form – business presentations, law etc.

School Productions
The School puts on a main school production once a year in the spring term. There are, however, a number of productions staged by the Drama Groups which are run by members of the sixth form. In the last two years, the following productions have been performed:
February 2008 - "Animal Farm" - a whole school production
May 2007 - "Peter Pan" - a Y8/9 drama club production
March 2007 - "Funny Girl" - a whole school musical
April 2006 - "Lady Windermere's Fan" - a whole school production
February 2006 - "Alice in Wonderland" - a Year 8/9 Drama Club production
Dec 2005 - "Cuba" - a Senior Drama Club production
July 2005 "A Midsummer Night's Dream" - a Senior Drama Club production
April 2005 - "Sweet Charity" - a whole school musical.
December 2005 "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" - a Senior Drama Club production
December 2005 - "The Little Prince" - a whole school production performed in French.

This year there are a number of extra-curricular drama productions in process:

The Labyrinth- a year seven production.

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