THE TEAM

Mrs H Holland

Teacher of Drama

INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT

Drama at St Peter’s involves an array of exciting playwrights and styles of performance, and students learn in Drama to work creatively and innovatively with others.  They learn how meaning is communicated onstage through a wide variety of theatrical techniques, they work together to create new theatre and they are able to appreciate and analyse their own and others’ performances. Drama builds presence, confidence and assurance in our students, and equips them with a clear understanding of how voice, movement and facial expression can be used to best effect.

WHY STUDY DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES?

An A Level in Drama will give you skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life. You will be able to develop your love of watching and performing theatre so that you can analyse and evaluate the aspects that make up a successful production. Drama helps you to understand human behaviour and motivation, and will develop your insight and observation. You will hone your skills in performing, creating a range of characterisations and studying several major drama practitioners. You can choose to perform or to design in a number of studio productions.

FUTURE ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHWAYS

It can lead to a career in theatre, film, television, journalism, marketing, public relations or events. Universities and employers love to see you have studied this A Level because you will stand out as different and creative.

COURSE CONTENT

Students will be studying the Edexcel syllabus.

Year 12

Introduction to Brecht and his techniques, Introduction to Naturalism and acting technique, Kneehigh Theatre Company case study, Exploration of That Face by Polly Stenham and Devising Theatre module (40% of A Level).

Year 13

Develop a Director’s Concept for Woyzeck, using Brecht’s ideology. Practically explore That Face from an acting and designing perspective. Rehearse and perform for Text in Performance (20% of A Level). Theatre Makers in practice exam.

ASSESSMENT

Component 1: Devising (40% of the qualification – 80 marks)

You will devise an original performance piece using one key extract from a performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli. This will be assessed by your teacher and externally moderated. You will complete a portfolio which can be 2500–3000 written words or recorded/verbal evidence between 12–14 minutes or acombination.

Component 2: Text in Performance Acting Exam (20% of the qualification – 60 marks)

A group performance of one key extract from a performance text and a monologue or duologue performance/design realisation from one key extract from a different performance text. This will be externally assessed by a visiting examiner. The group performance is worth 36 marks. The monologue or duologue is worth 24 marks.

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice

Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes (40% of the qualification – 80 marks)

Section A is a live theatre evaluation – choice of performance. Section B focuses on the practical exploration and study of a complete play text – focusing on how this can be realised for performance. Section C focuses on practical exploration and interpretation of another complete performance text, in light of a chosen practitioner – focusing on how this text could be reimagined for a contemporary audience.

EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

• Theatre trips to London, Brighton, Newbury and Stratford-upon-Avon

• Extracurricular plays

• Workshops with practitioners and theatre groups

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum grade 4 in GCSE English Literature and English Language.