Faculty of Creative Arts

Drama

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Guide to A Level Drama & Theatre Studies (AQA)

Minimum recommended entry requirements:
English GCSE Grade B, Drama and Theatre Arts GCSE Grade B.

It is recommended that students wishing to study this subject should have developed a level of practical and critical awareness of drama and theatre equivalent to GCSE.

The course is based on four main areas of study of drama and theatre: interpretation of plays for performance, theatre practitioners, live productions seen, and candidates’ own practical work. It integrates the theoretical study of drama and theatre with practical application and encourages experiment within practical work offering options for acting, costume, stage setting and stage lighting.

Advanced Subsidiary (AS)

Unit 1 Practical – Devised Drama 40% of the total AS marks, 20% of the total A Level marks.

Performance by a group of a devised piece of drama inspired by the AS subject content. Internally assessed and externally moderated. The preparation mark includes a 2000 word portfolio.

Unit 2 Written – Approaches to Text 30% of the total AS marks, 15% of the total A Level marks.

Study of two set plays. (Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Three Sisters). Externally set and assessed. (1½ hours)

Unit 3 Written – Plays in Practice 30% of the total AS marks, 15% of the total A level marks.

Section A: Study of Stanislavski.
Section B: Response to live theatre seen during the course. Externally assessed and externally moderated. (1½ hours)

Advanced Level (A2)

Unit 4 Practical – Play in Production 20% of the total A level marks

Performance by a group of part of a play text. Internally assessed and externally moderated. The preparation includes a 3000 word portfolio.

Unit 5 Written – Text into Practice 15% of the total A level marks

A study of two further set texts. Externally set and assessed. . (1½ hours)

Unit 6 Written – Theory into Practice 15% of the total A level marks

Section A: Study of Brecht, applied to production seen or candidates’ own practical productions.
Section B: Interpretation of an extract from an unseen play for potential performance. Externally set and assessed. Synoptic. (2½ hours)

It is essential to see a variety of live productions and the cost of these will be the students’ responsibility.

Obtaining a qualification in this subject will obviously be useful for anyone wishing to pursue a career related to the theatre. It is also a useful qualification for anyone considering a course or career where good communication skills are essential.

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