A Level Course Guide 2024

Drama andTheatre Studies AQA

D R A M A A N D T H E AT R E S T U D I E S

A-Level Drama and Theatre Studies will allow you to unleash your creativity and broaden your horizons with. This varied and exciting course allows you to explore the world through developing captivating performances which you will devise with your peers , crafting original pieces of performance in the remarkable spaces St. Edwards has to offer, and understanding the theory to why and how we make great theatre. You will get to study influential plays of the 20th and 21st centuries, you’ll have the chance to perform and challenge your perceptions. Through practical exploration you’ll create awe-inspiring performances which will be shared with audiences in our community, you will get the chance to immerse yourself in theatrical history and develop skills that extend beyond the stage.

The subject content for A Level Drama and Theatre Studies is divided into three components:

1. Drama and theatre

2. Creating original drama

3. Making theatre

In the practical components pupils, whilst most students choose to specialise in performing; lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets and directing are also areas where students can focus their interests.

Assessments

COMPONENT 1: DRAMA AND THEATRE • Knowledge and

COMPONENT 2: CREATING ORIGINAL DRAMA (PRACTICAL) • Process of creating devised drama • Performance of devised drama (pupils may contribute as performer, designer or director) • Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner How it’s assessed • Working notebook 40 marks • Devised performance 20 marks • 30% of A Level This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.

COMPONENT 3: MAKING THEATRE (PRACTICAL) • Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts each taken from a different play

understanding of drama and theatre • Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B – both lists are a selection of plays provided by the exam board • Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

• Methodology of a

prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3

• Extract 3 is to be

performed as a final assessed piece (pupils may contribute as performer, designer or director) • Reflective report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts How it’s assessed • Performance of Extract 3 40 marks • Reflective report 20 marks • 30% of A Level

How it’s assessed • Written exam: 3 hr 80 marks • 40% of A Level

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