Drama & Theatre
GCSE
Examining Board
AQA
Course Introduction
GCSE Drama gives students a unique opportunity to build their confidence both on stage and off. Students are encouraged to work independently, and as part of a team, whilst they explore different performance styles. They will also learn to experiment with a number of dramatic techniques to enhance their understanding of dramatic conventions. Students work will be based upon a variety of stimulus material including scripts, music, photographs and poetry from a range of historical, cultural and social genres.
The course not only involves developing students own communication skills but also enhances their understanding of the ways in which performers, designers and directors communicate meaning to an audience. Drama is an exciting GCSE that offers the chance to share students’ own experiences and ideas with others and see them come to fruition in a practical sense.
Assessments
Written examination (40% of overall mark)
Devised performance and log (40% of overall mark)
Performance of 2 extracts from a published script (20% of overall mark)
Progression
AQA Drama GCSE has a wide relevance to a range of career and future pathways. Previous students have studied a range of performance courses post-16 and at university and many have attended prestigious drama schools. Drama can also reinforce a broad skills set that will help with professions which might require the following: communication, time management, team work, focus and concentration.
Course Content
Key areas of study for this course are outlined below:
Devising performance from a range of stimuli including photographs, poetry and newspaper articles.​- Detailed study of a range of playscripts and their playwrights including ‘Forever and Ever’, ‘DNA’, ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘Blue Remembered Hills’ and ‘Noughts and Crosses’.
- Opportunities to view a range of live theatre performances in order to analyse and evaluate how meaning is created for an audience using acting, design and technical elements.
Contact Name
Mr D Coates Head of Drama
Contact Email
d.coates@wymcol.org
A Level
Drama and Theatre A Level offers students the opportunity to explore drama as a practical art form, in which ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention.
Students will:
- Create, perform and respond to drama and theatre.
- Develop the creativity and independence to become effective theatre makers.
- Explore the relationship between theory and practice in a range of theatrical styles and periods and historical, social and cultural contexts.
- Learn how relevant research, independent thought and analysis of live theatre production can inform decision making in their practical work and put this understanding into practice.
- Experience the ways in which theatre makers collaborate to create theatre.
Coursework/Examination Requirement
40% examination, 60% practical.
The College expects students to have
Grade 5 or above in English and English Literature. Grade 5 in Drama or a demonstrable interest in Performing Arts.
Progression
Many Drama students choose the subject to help pursue a future career in the performaing arts. The subject has significant transferable skills, especially in communication, that would be welcomed in a wide range of jobs such as sales and marketing, public relations and teaching.
Course Content
Component 1: Drama and Theatre
- Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
- Study of two set plays
- Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers
- Written exam: 3 hours
- Open book
- 40% of A Level
Component 2 : Creating Original Drama (practical)
- Creating devised drama from stimulus material
- Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)
- Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner
- Working notebook to record process and product
- 30% of A Level
Component 3: Making Theatre (practical)
- Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts each taken from a different play
- Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3
- Extract 3 is to be performed as a final assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)
- Reflective report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts
- 30% of A Level
