Drama & Theatre – A Level
A Level
Special Entry Requirements
In addition to the A Level entry requirements, you will need a minimum of a grade 5 in GCSE English Language.
Subject Intent
Our Drama team believe that students should have access to a varied and ambitious Drama curriculum, which embeds skills and knowledge of the theatre and performance process and inculcates a love of the performance arts. Our Drama and Theatre Studies course will give students the opportunity to:
- develop core skills that will prepare them for employment in the creative performance industries
- devise creative and imaginative performance pieces
- apply a range of conventions and styles to structure innovative performance
- interpret and perform a range of texts, applying their own artistic vision
- develop written evaluative skills embedded with subject specific language
- appreciate and develop the confidence to evaluate live performance
- participate in a range of performance genres, through performance and technical support
- design imaginative set, costume, music, lights, make up and props to enhance performance
- develop oracy and presentation skills to be able to articulate and express their ideas, views and opinions about a wide range of topics and issues
- develop resilience, independence and the ability to work collaboratively with others
- empathise and engage with others outside their own social, cultural and historical setting
Course Introduction
We are delighted to be offering A Level Drama and Theatre to students. You should consider this course if you have a passion for theatre and performance and want to learn about theatre history and theory. You will be able to study and explore a range of challenging plays and perform in both scripted and devised plays as part of your assessment.
Be prepared to take part in workshops, work creatively and collaboratively with your peers, prepare and deliver presentations to your class, alongside writing essays and portfolio notes plus working on rehearsing and performing.
If you are a serious performer, we recommend that you look into our Performance Academy package which is designed to enable students to maximise opportunities for Arts and Performance-related experiences during their time at college.
Preparing for A Level Drama & Theatre
We have created a transition pack to show you the kind of work that you will be doing at level 3 and to help you prepare for September:
If you have any questions about the course, please email admissions@s6f.org.uk
Passionate about Performance?
A Level Drama & Theatre students have exclusive access to the S6F Performance Academy. Take your learning to the next level with specialist features including LAMDA Musical Theatre, College Production, Dance Leaders and more.
Course Modules
The course is designed to develop your knowledge and enjoyment of drama and theatre whilst encouraging creativity. It combines practical, creative and academic work skills. Seeing live theatre is an important part of the course as well as the study and exploration of set plays and theatre practitioners. Highlights of the course will be the performances which are exciting opportunities to showcase your skills and do make tremendous demands of the whole team!
At Scarborough Sixth Form College, we have very good facilities in the form of a drama studio with flexible seating and up-to-date theatre lighting and sound equipment which students can learn to use. We are a lively department, intent on inspiring our students with theatre visits and specialist workshops with visiting theatre practitioners.
First Year
- Reading/research/practical exploration/essay writing/workshop performance on Metamorphosis, one of the set texts for Component 1, the written exam
- Reading/research/practical exploration/essay writing/workshop performance on A Servant to Two Masters, the other set text for Component 1, the written exam
- Exploration and performance of two play extracts, for Component 3, with writing of a reflective report
- Devising an original performance with the in-depth study of a key practitioner for Component 2, with coursework on a working notebook
Second Year
- Revision of set texts for the written exam
- Further study of the set texts from the perspectives of directors, performers and designers
- Live Theatre Evaluation visit and critical essay writing
- Formal completion of coursework for devising work – the working notebook
- Further study of another key theatre practitioner
- Final exploration and examined performance of a play extract, for Component 3, with submission of the final and complete reflective report to the visiting examiner
- Written Exam
Assessment
There are three components for assessment:
Component 1 is a final written exam, taking place at the end of the second year. You will study two plays, ready to write answers in the exam. In addition, you will be prepared to write about a live theatre performance we will watch during the second year.
Component 2 is a devising project. You will respond to a stimulus, moving onto devising your own original and unique play as part of a group. You will realise your devised play in performance and produce a working notebook, as coursework, to explain your ideas and evaluate your work, demonstrating the influence of one key theatre practitioner in the making of the work.
Component 3: Making Theatre. You will explore and interpret three scripts, realise your intentions as performers or designers, and analyse and evaluate your work. The final extract will be performed to a visiting examiner, who will assess your work as a performer or designer. You will study and apply the work and methodology of another key theatre practitioner. You will also produce a reflective report, which will submitted to the examiner for assessment.
Career Opportunities
