Drama Theatre Studies (A Level)
Why study Drama & Theatre Studies?
Drama & Theatre Studies deals with the world in which we live and how theatre can be used to comment on it. As well as developing your skills and understanding of acting, directing and design, studying Drama & Theatre Studies will also develop your knowledge of history and politics, improve your literacy, and develop your interpersonal and organisational skills.
Entry Requirements
In addition to our general entry requirements, you must have:
- GCSE English – grade 4
You will also need to audition for the course, which usually takes the form of a group workshop.
The Course
Drama & Theatre Studies involves the study of plays, how scripts are written and how they can then be interpreted to create live performance material. The course looks at theory and research and how they influence practice and performance material.
You will also explore and develop acting skills to create your own performance work and analyse the work of theatre companies and practitioners.
Course Activities
You will learn through a mixture of both practical and theoretical work. Practical work includes acting and rehearsal exercises and performances, warm-up activities, and taking part in extended performances as part of the examination process.
Theoretical work involves note-taking, research activities, discussions, and presentations. The course also involves regular trips to the theatre, some of which are compulsory as part of examinations.
Career & Progression Opportunities
Past students have gone on to study subjects such as Drama, Acting and Stage Management at both university and drama school, as well as courses and careers in law, architecture, politics and business.
The course has strong links with and complements English, Media and Film Studies.
The transferable communication, interpersonal and organisational skills the course also develops are strongly sought after by potential employers alongside this, the combination of theory and practice and how to effectively investigate and use research material are skills required for any degree course.
The course also offers skills development which has been proven to allow for great achievement in any subject which involves a great deal of collaboration and interpersonal skills as well as presentation techniques, for example Law, Business and even Engineering.
Course Structure and Assessment
The syllabus is divided into three components. The course runs over two years with a qualification awarded only upon completion of all three components at the end of year two.
You are assessed through written coursework, performance work and written examination.
| Module title and content | Assessment |
| Component 1: Devising You will study a script and the work of a recognised theatre practitioner which will then form the starting point for creating a piece of original performance material. |
- 40% of total A Level. - Submission of a portfolio of evidence and the performance of the devised work. |
| Component 2: Text in Performance You will study and rehearse two different plays for performance and take part in a group performance of an extract from one play and a monologue or duologue performance from the other. You will also have the option to design work for assessment. |
- 20% of total A Level. - Assessment is by a visiting examiner who will mark your final performances/design work. |
| Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice You will analyse a piece of live theatre as well as studying two scripts focussing on how they can be realised for performance. One of the two play texts will be studied in light of a chosen practitioner, concentrating on how this text can be reimagined for a contemporary audience. |
- 40% of total A Level. - Two hour, 30 minute written examination in which you will write three extended responses to questions |
Additional Information
This course can be combined with all other Performing Arts courses.
Examination Board: Pearson Edexcel
An important part of being an A Level Drama and Theatre Student is the independent study that you do outside of lessons. Successful students will do at least an additional 4.5 hours of study in their own time each week. This will include:
- completing tasks set by your teacher.
- undertaking your own additional rehearsals in preparation for
assessments; including learning your lines. - revising information and developing your class notes.
- undertaking additional research into the plays etc that you are
studying.