Drama & Theatre Summary

Theatre is all around us! From the interactions we have with one another, to the stories we tell and to the roles we take on every day of our lives. A-Level Drama & Theatre allows us to find imaginative and innovative ways of creating original performance material for a contemporary audience. It provides scope to perform the work of recognisable and distinguished playwrights. It offers numerous opportunities to critically analyse and evaluate live performance work. It encourages the study of contemporary and classical playwrights, directors, and practitioners of drama. Importantly, this course encourages a critical and imaginative response to the creation of drama and theatre from the perspectives of an actor, designer, and director. The course is largely practical, but with the academic rigour underpinning every element of study, making it a desirable course for those considering further study in Higher Education. This is a very varied and highly enjoyable course for students who are creative, enthusiastic, and highly aspirational

Entry Requirements

GCSE grade 6 or higher in Drama and English

Course Duration

2 years full-time

Specification

Edexcel

How you will study

Much of the day to day work in Drama involves practical exploration and discovery. This is underpinned by theoretical understanding and independent research. We spend much of our time working collaboratively with our peers, creating material, and performing to one another or to invited audiences. We analyse, evaluate and take inspiration from live and pre-recorded productions throughout the two years of study.  

Component breakdown

Component 1: Devising – 40% – Practical exam and 3000 word piece of coursework.
Devising an original piece of theatre based on a given stimulus, using a practitioner influence. 

Component 2: Scripted – 20% – Practical exam for a visiting examiner
Performance of a monologue/duologue, then a group piece from two published plays.  

Component 3: Written Paper – 40% – 2hr 30min exam.
Study of contemporary text, study of a classical text and a live theatre evaluation. 

The skills developed on this course will open doors into numerous avenues of employment. Here are just a few: 

  • Actor / Performer 
  • Theatre Director 
  • Script Writer 
  • Broadcast Presenter 
  • Arts Administrator 
  • Voice-Artist 
  • Community arts worker 
  • Drama therapist 
  • Runner, broadcasting/film/video 
  • Theatre Stage Manager
  • Teacher or Lecturer 
  • Theatre Designer – Set/Lighting/Sound/Costume
  • Special Effects Technician 
  • Talent Agent