Drama and Theatre A Level

This is an ideal course for those who enjoy reading plays, performing and exploring ideas. You may or may not have studied GCSE Drama or BTEC Performing Arts but essentially you will be comfortable with reading and performing, discussing and working with others in a creative team, watching and discussing play performances and writing.

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!

A Level Drama students who join the Performance Academy can work towards LAMDA Musical Theatre or Acting qualifications and take enrichment options in Whole College Production.

At Scarborough Sixth Form College, we have 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.

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.

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.

In addition to the A Level entry requirements of 4 GCSEs at grade 4 including English Language and/or Maths, you will need a minimum of a grade 5 in GCSE English Language.

You could progress to university, higher apprenticeship or employment