Why study Drama and Theatre Studies?
This course is for anyone who has a keen interest in the theatre and performance. Students successfully completing the course will have a thorough understanding of drama and theatre, highly developed analytical and creative skills and an ability to communicate effectively with others.
What is the course about?
The course will allow you to:
- focus on plays from the point of view of a director, designer, performer and critic;
- acquire a knowledge and understanding of the language of drama and theatre as well as developing your own performance and analytical skills.
 AS Unit 1: Exploration of Drama and Theatre
| Internally assessed | 40% of the | 20% of the |
| To be completed by end of May | total AS Mark | total GCE Marks |
| Â | Â | Â |
Content summary
This unit introduces you to the content of plays written for the theatre. You will learn how to analyse plays in a variety of ways so that you become familiar with the way written plays can be interpreted for realisation in performance.
Practical and Written Assessment
This internally assessed unit requires you to explore two contrasting play texts in a practical and active way. At least one of the plays must be explored in the light of a recognised theatre practitioner. You will then submit a set of Exploration Notes.
Theatre Review Assessment
You are also required to experience a live theatre performance and submit an evaluation.
AS Unit 2: Theatre Text in Performance Â
| Externally assessed examiner | 60% of the | 30% of the |
| Performed in April/May | total AS Mark | total GCE Marks |
| Â | Â | Â |
Content summary
This unit offers you the chance to demonstrate skills in a performance environment. The knowledge and understanding gained during the study of two plays in Unit 1 can now be applied with a view to delivering a performance to an audience.
Assessment
This is an externally assessed unit. For the first section you will be required to perform a monologue or duologue. The second section requires you to contribute to a performance of a professionally published play by a known writer.
A2 Unit 3: Exploration of Dramatic Performance
| Internally assessed | 40% of the | 20% of the |
| To be completed by end of May | total A2 Mark | total GCE Marks |
| Â | Â | Â |
Content summary
This unit requires the creation of a unique and original piece of theatre. The knowledge and understanding gained in the AS units can now be applied to a created production. You will be assessed on both the process of creation and the finished product in the form of a performance to an invited audience.
Assessment
You will be assessed on the research and development of your work as well as the final performance in front of an identified audience. You are also required to complete an evaluation on both the process and performance of your work.
A2 Unit 4: Theatre Text in Context
| Externally assessed | 60% of the | 30% of the |
| Examined in June | total A2 Mark | total GCE Marks |
| Â | Â | Â |
Content summary
This externally examined written unit requires the detailed study of one set play text and one prescribed historical period of theatrical development.
Assessment:
This externally assessed unit takes the form of a 2 hour and 30 minute written paper in three sections.
Sections A and B require you to explore one play, from a choice of three set play texts, from the point of view of a director in both an academic and practical way.
In Section C a selection must be made of one from a choice of three historic periods of theatre history. A live performance of a play from the chosen period must be experienced and evaluated and a comparison made with the original staging conditions of the play.
What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
This AS and Advanced GCE can lead to further study in Drama, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts in Higher Education at degree. It can be used as part of your course to broaden your studies and may lead on to a career in the performing arts industries.
Drama and Theatre Studies AS and Advanced GCE also complements a range of subjects such as English, Film, History, Psychology and Law and is useful in building confidence and improving presentation skills in a huge range of careers.