Drama & Theatre

Learn more about Drama & Theatre

• Why study this subject?
• Which examination board?
• Does the AS count towards the A Level or is it a standalone qualification?
• How will you be assessed?
• What is the outline content over 2 years?

Why study this subject?

The skills developed in the study of Drama and Theatre make an enormous contribution to your personal development. In today’s world, employers are looking for mature creative people who can communicate effectively (precisely the skills that drama develops). Many of our students go on to study the more technical elements of theatre, such as theatre design, lighting design as well as combining the study of drama with English and classical studies or a foreign language. An understanding of drama and theatre will also enhance your appreciation of film, plays and the Arts in general for the rest of your life.

Which Examination Board?

WJEC

Does the AS count towards the A Level or is it a standalone qualification?

The AS is a standalone qualification. It does not count towards the A Level. You can opt into the AS qualification if you choose to drop this subject at the end of Year 12.

How will you be assessed?

You will be assessed on both the practical work and the theoretical content. There are practical examinations at AS and A2 level and a written paper at the end of the AS course and at the end of the A2 course.

What is the outline content over 2 years?

Year 12: AS Level

Unit 1: Theatre Workshop

Non-examination assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated 24% of qualification

Students will be assessed on either acting or design

Students participate in the creation, development and performance of:

• A piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an  extract from a text using the techniques and working methods of either a theatre practitioner or theatre company

All learners must produce:

• a realisation of both performances or designs
• a creative log
• an evaluation of the process of creating and realisation of the reinterpreted extract only

Unit 2: Text in Theatre

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

16% of qualification

A series of questions on one performance text

Year 13: A Level

Unit 3: Text in Action

Non-examination assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner 36% of qualification.

Students will be assessed on either acting or design.

Students participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus supplied by WJEC:

1. A devised piece using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company (a different practitioner or company to that chosen for Unit 1)
2. An extract from a text in a contrasting style chosen by the student.

Student must realise their performance live for the visiting examiner. Learners choosing design must also give a 5-10 minute presentation of their design to the examiner.

Learners produce a process and evaluation report within one week of completion of the practical work.

Unit 4: Text in Performance

Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes

24% of qualification

Sections A and B

Open book: Clean copies (no annotation) of the two complete texts chosen must be taken into the examination.

Two questions, based on two different texts, one written pre-1956 and one written post-1956.