Curriculum : Drama and Theatre Studies

AS/A2 level Drama and Theatre Studies (AQA)

Teachers: Ms Duck and Ms Bond

Aims:

• To encourage students to develop appropriate theatre skills and the integral discipline of theatre work.
• To extend students’ knowledge and understanding of theatre.
• To encourage in students a critical and sensitive response to the complexities of theatre.
• To integrate the theoretical study of drama and theatre with practical application.
• To encourage experimentation within practical work and to offer options for acting, costume, masks, stage setting, lighting or sound.

Assessment Objectives:

The examination will assess candidates’ ability to demonstrate the following through study of specified areas and texts:

• Competence in applied practical skills within a group and individually.
• An appreciation of a plat from a director’s and an actor’s viewpoint.
• Knowledge of theatrical influences, convections and styles related to the development of theatre.
• A critical response to live theatre.
  

Lessons

Students combine practical exploration of texts and practitioners’ ideas with discussions and more formal teaching. Students are expected to involve themselves fully in every lesson and to keep detailed notes of practical sessions. Much of the work is based around each student’s personal response to live theatre; attending a variety of theatrical productions is at the very core of the course.

Homework

Students are expected to complete regular homework assignments. These include: researching topics relating to texts and practitioners; critical appreciation of play texts; production notes and essays. Students visit the theatre on regular, organised trips but are also encouraged to develop their own interest in drama by experiencing a variety of live performances.

Examinations

AS Examination (Year 1):

UNIT 1: Practical – Devised Drama

40% of AS; 20% of total A-level mark

A piece of devised drama: Candidates are examined on their approach to and participation in the piece. A written portfolio accompanies the practical work and accounts for half of the total project marks.

UNIT 2: Written – Approaches To Text

30% of AS; 15% of total A-level mark

An examination on two plays they have studied.

UNIT 3: Written – Theatre in Practice

30% of AS; 15% of total A-level mark

An examination on a theatre practitioner and on their response to contemporary theatre they have seen during the year. Attendance at a minimum of 4 theatre performance with the class in mandatory. The bulk of these theatre visits take place in the evenings between September and January.

A2 Examination (Year 2):

UNIT 4: Practical – Play in Production

20% of total A-level mark

A play in production: Candidates are examined in their approach to and participation in the piece. A written portfolio accompanies the practical work and accounts for half the total project marks.

UNIT 5: Written – Text Into Performance

15% of total A-level mark

An examination on two plays they have studied.

UNIT 6: Written – Theory Into Practice

15% of total A-level mark

An examination on a further theatre practitioner and on their response to an ‘unseen’ extract of a play. Attendance at live theatre events is mandatory and will support work on the unseen texts.


Special requirements/other information:

Essential: B in English GCSE, or if a C in English GCSE, than a B in GCSE Drama