A-Level Drama & Theatre Studies is taught over 7x75 minute sessions in Year 12. This increases to 8x75 minutes in Year 13.

The course is very practical and students have opportunities to publicly perform in The Studio during both years. Students entering Year 12 form a theatre company and start work on their first public performance. This is one of the 'Exploration' texts from Unit One. Previous productions have been The Trial by Steven Berkoff, Not About Nightingales by Tennessee Williams, Female Transport by Steve Gooch and Road by Jim Cartwright to name a few. Images of these can be seen by going to the Performance Archive!

The AS Drama & Theatre Studies course

Unit 1: Exploration of Drama and Theatre *Unit code 6DR01
Internally assessed: 40% of the total AS marks 20% of the total GCE marks

Content summary:
This unit introduces students to the content of plays written for the theatre. They will learn how to analyse plays in a variety of ways so that they become familiar with the way written plays can be interpreted for realisation in performance.
Assessment:
This internally assessed unit requires students to explore two contrasting play texts, chosen by the centre, in a practical and active way. At least one of the plays must be explored in the light of a recognised theatre practitioner.
A video/DVD of one session of the practical work must be made available for use in moderation. A set of Exploration Notes must be submitted. Students are also required to experience a live theatre performance and submit an evaluation.

TEXTS FOR 2011: Othello by William Shakespeare /4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane

PRACTITIONER FOR 2010: Antonin Artaud

AS Unit 2: Theatre Text in Performance *Unit code 6DR02
Externally assessed: 60% of the total AS marks 30% of the total GCE marks
Content summary:
This unit offers students 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. The first section requires students to offer either a monologue or duologue. The second section requires students to contribute to a performance of a professionally published play by a known writer. Students may offer either acting or a design form and must also provide a concept of the interpretation of their chosen roles or designs.

The A2 Drama & Theatre Studies course

Unit 3: Exploration of Dramatic Performance *Unit code 6DR03
Internally assessed: 40% of the total A2 marks 20% of the total GCE marks
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. Students will be assessed on both the process of creation and the finished product in the form of a performance to an invited audience.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on the research and development of their work as well as the final performance in front of an identified audience. They are also required to complete an evaluation on both the process and performance of their work. Written evidence will be required reflecting the research and development work as well as a video/DVD of the final performance.

A2 Unit 4: Theatre Text in Context *Unit code 6DR04
Externally assessed 60% of the total A2 marks 30% of the total GCE marks
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 students 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.

SET PLAY FOR 2011 & 2012: Woyzeck by Buchner

SECTION C Live Production: The Taming of the Shrew@ The swann Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon