Drama and Theatre Studies

Course Description

A1 Year

A1

In your first year studying A-Level Drama and Theatre we will be looking into our set texts and practically developing skills for performance. This will prepare you for the written exam at the end of your 2nd year and the practical skills required to complete Components 1 and 2. Before the first term is done you will have performed in the Year 1 Showcase demonstrating your understanding of different performance skills and styles. In the New Year you will have practical and classroom-based lessons where we explore the requirements of Component 3 in depth. The Component 3 written exam is made up of 3 sections.

In Section A you will answer a question on Live Theatre as a reviewer asking you to analyse and evaluate a production you have seen. This means that we visit our local Theatres in and around Manchester. This section requires you to analyse and evaluate how theatre makers work together in response to a statement given in the exam paper. This is also a wonderful opportunity to watch a professional production that you can use for inspiration in your own work.

Section B requires the study of our first set text ‘Machinal’. As part of this we look closely at the Expressionist movement not only in theatre but also in film and art. You will answer 2 questions in the written exam for this text one from the perspective of a performer and the other as a designer. This lends itself perfectly to be able to practically explore both the performance elements and the design elements to discover how theatre is created.

Our second set text ‘Lysistrata’ which makes up Section C of the written exam. Lysistrata is an ancient Greek comedy which is full of interesting moments that speak to our modern-day life and hilarious innuendos and double entendre. We look at ‘Lysistrata’ through the lens of a director. This gives you the opportunity to explore and develop your directorial skill, while also utilising the methodologies of Bertolt Brecht to create and develop your own production concept of ‘Lysistrata’ as a full-scale production for a contemporary audience. You will be asked a question on your concept in the exam.

A2 Year

A2

The A1 year is designed to ensure students are fully prepared for the A2 year. During this year students will undertake 3 performance exams and their written coursework element. We begin the year with Component 1 and our initial exploration of Artaud and The Theatre of Cruelty, we delve into the methodologies, techniques and theories that make up this performance style as well as undertaking research on Artaud himself. This is done in conjunction with studying another play that you will use as a stimulus to inspire your own performance. Students devise an original piece of theatre lasting 20-30 minutes using the Theatre of Cruelty as an influential framework. The devising process is one of creative freedom where the students endeavour to provide research to support their own ideas that can be developed into the aims and intentions of their practical piece of theatre. They oversee all aspects including design and will lead production meetings with their teacher and our dedicated technicians to bring their work to life in front of a live audience. The performances will take place before the Christmas break. Students will be building their Portfolio (the coursework element) alongside and keeping an actor’s journal which will allow them to theoretically convey the meaning behind their performance.

After Christmas in the Spring term, we begin Component 2 and have two more exam performances to prepare and perform. They are both scripted pieces; one is a Monologue or Duologue and the other is a Group Performance. The script choices change every year so that we can find the best texts to suit individual strengths and talents. These are performed to a visiting examiner before the Easter Break. During the Spring Term we also have support sessions for the completion of the portfolio as well as lessons on the written exam.

Once we return from the Easter Break, we regain a full focus on preparation for Component 3, the Written Exam (40% of the course). Drama lessons will continue after students are on Exam leave and these become troubleshooting/Exam Technique sessions that become bespoke once students express any area of concern they have.

Course Content

Component 1 – Devising 40%
Component 2 – Text in Performance 20%
Component 3 – Theatre Makers in Practice 40%

Skills Gained

Practical skills

You will begin to explore your performance skills, specifically vocal and physical techniques. You will experiment with areas such as pitch, tone, projection, intonation and inflection, as well as physically elements such as posture, stance, gesture, gait, proxemics and use of space. This will enable you to investigate how to implement practitioners' methodologies into your own work to effectively communicate meaning to an audience.
Performers/designers must also acquire, develop and apply the following skills:

● Refining and amending work in progress with the aim to realising their artistic intentions
● Rehearsing and learning lines
● Relationships and communication with other performers on stage
● Communication and engagement with the audience.
● A deep understanding of the original performance conditions and the historical, social and cultural context of the text.
● Working independently or collaboratively as performers or designers to interpret text and apply skill, in rehearsal and in performance

Theoretical skills
You will develop your research and analytical skills. Skills such as identifying and appreciating symbolism, themes, motifs, meaning and social contexts will be crafted. All the skills you learn will help to explore theory in a practical capacity as well as in the classroom. This means you respond to texts imaginatively, conveying ideas clearly and coherently, with appropriate theories, styles and methodologies as well as using subject specific terminology appropriately.
You will also acquire, develop and apply the following skills:
● Forming critical judgements about the practice of theatre makers
● Explore ways in which the ideas of the director/designer/performer are interpreted in performance
● Analysing the ways in which different performance and production elements are brought together to create theatre

General skills
Problem Solving, Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, Listening, Time Management, Adaptability, Critical Thinking, Focus, Speaking, Attention to Detail, Conflict Resolution, Creativity, Dependability, Interpersonal Skills, Organisation, Analysis, Analytical reasoning, Decision making, Giving Feedback, Work Ethic, Dedication, Written Communication, Evaluation, Essay writing.

Assessment Method

Coursework 40% - 30% Written 10% Practical
Visiting Examiner Practical Performance 20%
Written Exam 40%

Subject Enrichments

Year 1 Showcase
Annual Trip to New York
Trips throughout the Academic year to different theatres including the Royal Exchange, Lowry and Home Manchester.
Sessions with professional directors and actors.
Trips to LIPA, Workshops hosted by LIPA and theatre companies.
Networking events, sessions with alumni and performance events within the community.

Pathways

Drama lends itself to many careers such as Media, Journalism, Teaching, Psychology, Law, PR and Marketing, Event/Project Managing, Technical Theatre, Directing and of course Professional Acting.
Further training /education available through Drama schools, University courses and apprenticeships