Drama and Theatre Studies

Exam board: Edexcel 9DR0

Why choose to study Drama and Theatre Studies?

A course such as Drama and Theatre Studies offers a variety of skills to students who have a genuine interest in all areas of the performing arts. There is a good balance between the practical performance elements and the academic and theoretical components. Key transferable skills which the course will nurture include: team work, communications skills, self-confidence, presentation skills, evaluation and interpretation of texts, creativity and self-discipline.

Course outline:

Component 1: Devising – Candidates work in groups to devise a performance in response to a given stimuli and based on a Theatre Practitioner’s style. They document their devising process in a written portfolio.

Component 2: Text in Performance – Candidates perform two extracts from a scripted play and are assessed as either an actor or director.

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice – Formal Written Examination where candidates are required to evaluate a piece of live theatre, respond to a complete performance text, focusing on how this

can be realised for performance and interpret of another complete performance text in the style of a chosen Theatre Practitioner.

A Level

Unit/Module	Description	Type of assessment	Weighting
Component 1 - Devising	A Level	Written Portfolio & Practical Performance – internally marked and externally moderated	40%
Component 2 – Text in Performance	A Level	Practical performance – externally assessed	20%
Component 3 – Theatre Makers in Practice	A Level	Formal written examination – externally assessed	40%

Essential student qualifications/abilities:

A proven successful background in Drama (not necessarily GCSE)
A genuine interest in Drama and Theatre
The ability to work autonomously in and out of lessons
The ability to work with others
A willingness to spend extra time researching, rehearsing and going to see a range of different theatre, outside of lessons
A creative imagination so that work can be interpreted and justified

Desirable student qualifications/abilities:

At least one 5 in English or English Literature and Drama (if studied at GCSE)
A willingness to take an active part in extra-curricular Drama activities, either acting or backstage

Higher education opportunities:

Drama and Theatre Studies offers a range of skills that will prove to be valuable in all higher education courses. Natural course progression includes Drama, Acting, Performing Arts, English Literature, Media, Psychology, and Sociology.

Career opportunities:

Creative and Arts industries contribute £71.4 billion to the British economy and account for approximately 5.6% of jobs in the UK. Potential career paths include: performing, arts education, working in Media, events planning, marketing, and advertising.