Key Stage 5
Drama & Theatre Studies
Exam Board: Eduqas
Entry Requirements: GCSE Grade 5 in Drama
Subject Content:
Students will learn how to use their knowledge and understanding of theatrical forms to explore and perform plays. They will learn how plays relate to the contexts in which they are created and performed. Students will study the ways in which plays are interpreted by different directors, designers, performers and audiences. They will need to acknowledge that drama and theatre texts have a range of intentions and meanings.
Units Studied in Year 12 & 13:
Component 1 - Theatre Workshop: internally assessed, externally moderated. 20% of qualification.
Learners will be assessed on their acting and will participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text chosen from a list supplied by the exam board.
Component 2 - Text in Action: Externally assessed by a visiting examiner. 40% of qualification.
Learners will be assessed on their acting and will participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus supplied by the exam board.
Component 3: Text in Performance written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes. 40% 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. Section C Closed book:
Skills gained and enrichment opportunities:
The Eduqas course allows us to put an emphasis on Drama as a practical, intellectual and artistic subject with practical exploration of social, cultural and historical context. The construction of Drama as a means of enquiry and communication is a focal point and to encourage critical analysis through the making of informed judgments as part of the drama process.
Progression/career opportunities:
The course is designed to provide a stepping-stone towards any career in the theatre industry. As well as teaching key skills in acting, devising and designing, the course also provides an excellent theatrical grounding for a degree in Drama and English and English Literature. Knowledge and understanding developed during the course can, however, be usefully applied to a diverse range of higher education courses including Law, Communications, Teaching and Journalism to name a few. The skills developed in A-level Drama and Theatre enable students to develop vital skills for all degrees and career prospects. These include becoming confident individuals, excellent problem solvers, team workers, public speakers, creative, analytical and critical thinkers.