Drama
DRAMA AND THEATRE (AS AND A2)
Drama and Theatre develops practical, creative and communication skills in almost equal measure. You will extend your ability to create drama and theatre, mostly in a performing role. You will also be required to write about drama and to develop your powers of analysis to become an informed critic. The course will involve taking part in drama productions, as well as studying plays and playwrights.
You need to be curious about issues and ideas and have a creative instinct for communicating your ideas through drama. You should be keen on (and may have some experience of) acting or the visual and technical side of theatre and will have a strong desire to develop your skills in some or all of these areas. Equally you will be interested in going to the theatre to see plays performed by different theatre companies.
Banbridge Academy Magazine 2022-2023: Drama
Entrance Requirements:
A high standard of literacy is essential, therefore prospective students should have achieved at least a grade B in GCSE English and English Literature. Good physical health and a good attendance record are essential.
| Summary of unit content: AS Level | A Level |
| Unit 1
Theatre Workshop Non-exam assessment: internally assessed and externally moderated by WJEC 24% of qualification 90 marks Learners are required to create a piece of theatre based on an extract from a text using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company. Group arrangements Learners must work in groups of between two and five actors. In addition, each group may have up to four designers, each offering different design skills. Learners choosing design are required to work with a group of actors. However, it is not necessary for all acting groups to work with designers. Learners choosing design must choose one option from the following list: lighting design sound design set design (including props) costume design (including hair and make-up). Designers must contribute fully to the creation of the piece of theatre. Centres must give careful consideration to the combination of design skills in a particular group, and the choice of text and practitioner or company. |
Unit 3
Text in Action Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner 36% of qualification 120 marks This unit requires learners to engage with a stimulus supplied by WJEC to create two pieces of live theatre: one devised piece using the working methods and techniques of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company and one extract from a text in a different style to the devised piece. Group arrangements Learners may choose to be assessed on either acting or design. For each performance, learners work in groups of between two and four actors. In addition, each group may have up to two additional designers, each offering a different design skill. Learners choosing design are required to work with a group of actors. However, it is not necessary for all acting groups to work with designers. Learners choosing design must pick one option from the following list: lighting design sound design set design (including props) costume design (including hair and make-up). |
| Unit 2
Text in Theatre Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 16% of qualification 60 marks In this unit, learners are required to study one complete text. Centres are reminded that the five texts studied for this qualification as a whole (or two texts studied for AS) must represent a range of social, historical and cultural contexts and centres should consider carefully their choice of texts in all units to ensure they cover a range of contexts. All texts listed for study will be reviewed periodically and updated when necessary. In Unit 2, learners are given the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in interpreting a text for performance in a written examination. Learners must also evaluate live theatre. Learners are encouraged to approach this unit practically as an actor, designer and director. |
Unit 4
Text in Performance Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes 24% of qualification 95 marks In this unit, learners are required to study two complete texts. Centres are reminded that the five texts studied for this qualification as a whole must represent a range of social, historical and cultural contexts and centres should consider carefully their choice of texts in all units to ensure they cover a range of contexts. All texts listed for study will be reviewed periodically and updated when necessary. In Unit 4, learners are given the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in interpreting texts for performance in a written examination. Learners are encouraged to approach this unit practically as an actor, designer and director, and as an informed member of a theatre audience. To this end, learners are required to view a minimum of two live theatre productions to inform their understanding. They may use the same productions for Units 2, 3 and 4 if they wish. |
