Drama & Theatre Studies - A Level

(Edexcel examination board)

In Years 12 & 13 students’ explorative, directorial and evaluative skills are assessed in response to particular texts or a common theme in a selection of texts. In both AS and A2 components the candidates undergo both practical and written examinations in the Summer Term. Students are encouraged to read widely and to go to the theatre as often as possible to supplement this course.

Year 12

• Autumn Term
  1. Induction to the course
  2. Theatre History – Greek Drama ? Modern Theatre
  3. Unit 1 – Exploration of drama and theatre.
     Examining the work of Bertold Brecht through close study of ‘The Exception & The Rule’ and ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’.
     15% internally assessed practical and written coursework.
     
• Spring Term
  1. Unit 2 – Text in performance 1
     A practical examination of acting or design skills in a teacher directed production of a play.
     20% externally assessed practical performance.
     
• Summer Term
  1. Unit 3 – Text in context 1
     2 examination questions. 1 question based on the context of the play performed in Unit 2 and 1, question on a play seen in performance.
     15% externally assessed 2 hour written paper.

Year 13

• Autumn Term
1. Unit 4 – Devising. Students devise and rehearse their piece of drama on a given theme. During the process they answer 10 short essay questions reflecting on the
   devising process and on the resulting performance.
   20% internally assessed performance and coursework
   
• Spring Term
1. Unit 5 – Text in performance 2.
   Workshop performance of a student directed play.
   15% externally assessed practical performance
   
• Summer Term
  1. Unit 6 – Text in context 2.
     3 examination questions based on the study of 2 plays. Section A: is based on a director’s approach to a play Section B: is based on performance analysis and Research.
     15% externally assessed 2½ hour written paper.