Theatre Studies
Drama and Theatre Studies A Level
AS Level
Unit 1: Exploration of Drama and Theatre - 40% of the total AS marks (20% of the total GCE marks)
You will study two plays by different playwrights and of different styles in order to explore some of the ways in which a play is put together and what is required to bring it to life on stage. As well as undertaking a detailed practical study of the plays, you will begin to acquire a wider vocabulary and knowledge of drama and theatre. This unit is assessed through a series of notes made on the plays and practical workshop explorations of major ideas. It is internally assessed.
Current AS students are studying Punk Rock by Simon Stephens and The Resistable Rise of Artruro Ui by Bertolt Brecht. You will also write an evaluation of a live theatre performance and to that end you will be given the opportunity to go to a variety of productions.
Unit 2: Theatre Text in Performance - 60% of the total AS marks (30% of the total GCE marks)
In this unit, you will perform a role or take responsibility for an aspect of design in a production of a play. In preparation for this unit, you will be expected to take part in a series of practical workshops to develop your performance skills. Designers will work closely with their group but will also have the opportunity to work independently. Current AS students are performing in Closer by Marber and The Visit by Durrenmatt. In addition to this, you will also perform a 2 minute monologue or a 5 minute duologue from a play. Alternatively you can take responsibility for an aspect of design for a monologue or duologue. This part of the course requires you to work independently. The exam for this unit takes the form of a practical performance to an audience and is externally assessed.
A2 Level
Unit 3: Exploration of Dramatic Performance - 40% of the total A2 marks (20% of the total GCE marks)
Working with others, you will create a unique piece of theatre and perform it to an invited audience. Your group will take full responsibility for all aspects of the process of creation from start to finish. You can choose to operate as an actor or a designer. This unit is assessed internally through observation of your role in the preparation process, notes that you will make explaining and evaluating the process and performance and the performance itself.
Unit 4: Theatre Text in Context - 60% of the total A2 marks (30% of the total GCE marks)
This externally examined written unit requires the detailed study of one set play text (we have chosen to study Woyzeck by Georg Buchner) and one prescribed historical period of theatrical development. A live performance of a play from the chosen period must be experienced and evaluated and a comparison made with the original staging conditions of the play. We have focussed on Greek Theatre and the play Oedipus Rex. This externally assessed unit takes the form of a 2and a half hour written paper, however the approach to the study of texts is very practical.