Backwell School Sixth Form Course Guide

Drama and Theatre Studies (A Level, AQA) Explore practical and theoretical aspects of performance at an advanced level, drawing on the work of key practitioners and play texts. Entry Requirements: A grade 4 in Drama if taken at GCSE or a Merit in Performing Arts qualification, or a grade 5 in English. Course Content

Units

% When? Content

Component 1: Drama and theatre

40% May/

What’s assessed : Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre through the study of two set plays and the analysis of the work of live theatre-makers.

June of Year 13

How it’s assessed : Written exam.

Component 2: Creating original drama (practical)

30%

What’s assessed : Process of creating devised drama through the creation and performance of a devised drama piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director). The devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed theatre practitioner.

How it’s assessed : Working notebook and devised performance.

Component 3: Making theatre (practical)

30%

What’s assessed : Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts each taken from a different play (the methodology of a prescribed theatre practitioner is applied to the exploration of one of the extracts). Students record and analyse the practical exploration / interpretation of the extracts in a reflective journal.

How it’s assessed : Performance of a play extract and a reflective report.

Career Links Drama and Theatre Studies compliments further study in Drama, English (language or literature) or the humanities at undergraduate level. Some of our students have gone on to successfully secure places at specialist drama schools. For more information please contact Miss Knight or any of the Drama Department staff