Drama & Theatre Studies
Our mission in Drama is to expose students to all aspects of the world of theatre, including performing and design. We explore style and genre whilst developing students’ understanding and application of technical skill from Year 7 through to Year 13 . Drama develops transferable skills such as communication, confidence and teamwork which are imperative to everyday life.
Drama at Key Stage 3 is aimed to inspire and excite students by exposing them to a variety of styles and genres of theatre.
Course description
In key stage 3 we work on a “skills” and “create” structure. With each term divided into two, we teach key skills and techniques in the first half term and then ask students to apply these to a whole performance. With the inclusion of “Live Theatre” and “Theatre Design” at KS4 and KS5 we also analyse a piece of live theatre in the role of director and designer.
What will you learn about?
Year 7 – Introduction to Drama/Theatre Skills
- Greek Theatre skills (Mask/Ensemble/Mime/Tableau/Choral work)
- Character and Script Analysis
- Live Theatre – Costume Design
- Devising Children’s Theatre
Year 8 – Exploring Genre and Style
- Restoration Comedy
- Mark Wheeller and “Missing Dan Nolan”
- Live Theatre – Set Design
- Creating Drama from a Stimulus.
Year 9 – Exploring Style and Practitioners
- Naturalism – “Blood Brothers”
- Non-Naturalism – Berkoff/Frantic Assembly/Artaud
- Live Theatre – Costume and Set Design
- Adaptation of a Gothic Novel
Students are assessed on all stages of developing a piece of theatre from the rehearsal process, the final performance and a self-evaluation.
To be successful in this subject students will need to be good at and enjoy:
Students must be able to communicate effectively in a group to share ideas whilst devising work and be prepared to take risks and come out of their comfort zones.
Progression routes & career opportunities
Progression onto GCSE Drama and A-Level Drama.
Homework/extended learning
Prop Making
Learning lines for assessment
Design projects
Students will be exploring a variety of skills including character development, devising, genre and styles in the form of theatre practitioners.
Course description
EDUQAS GCSE DRAMA
Year 10
Component 1:’Devising Theatre’ is completed at the end of year 10 involving a final performance devised from a stimulus and influenced by a theatre practitioner or a genre. (40%)
Year 11
Students prepare for the written exam by exploring a set text and rehearsing two extracts from a text.
Component 2:’Performing from a Text’ involves students to study two extracts from the same performance text. (20%)
Component 3: ‘Interpreting Theatre’ is the final written examination where students will study a set text from a choice set by the exam board and answer a series of questions based on directing, acting, and design. Students will also write a live theatre review on a production they have seen during the course. (40%)
What will you learn about?
Over the two years students will explore a variety of theatre styles and practitioners ranging from Physical Theatre and Musical Theatre, to Stanislavski and Brecht. Students will explore both devised and scripted work as the role of actor, director and designer. Whilst completing the practical work students can decide to approach this as either performing or designing. Students will attend the theatre as part of the course and learn how to analyse and review acting and design in preparation for their written exam.
To be successful in this subject students will need to be good at and enjoy:
Students must have the confidence to take risks and try something new. Having a genuine interest in theatre, whether it be performing or design is essential. Students must be able to communicate effectively and work well in a team to solve problems and meet deadlines. Students must be critical thinkers as well as creative.
Progression routes & career opportunities
Students go on to study A-Level Drama.
GCSE Drama has supported those who wish to continue A-Level English, Media, History and Art
Homework/extended learning
Extra rehearsals during Theatre Lab on a Tuesday lunch or after school
Research and development of Directing and Design concepts for set text.
Learning lines for Component 2
Additional information
Set Text
“The Tempest” – William Shakespeare
(Wordsworth: ISBN 978-1-85326-203-6)
http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/gcse/
Students will be exploring a variety of skills including character development, devising, genre and styles in the form of theatre practitioners.
Course description
EDUQAS A LEVEL – 2 year course
1st Year (Year 12)
Component 1: ‘Theatre Workshop’ students participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text. The piece must be influenced by an influential theatre practitioner or recognised theatre company. (20%)
2nd Year (Year 13)
Component 2: ‘Text in Action’ students will develop two pieces to be assessed by a visiting examiner. One will be a devised piece and the other an extract from a text. Each one needs to be performed in the style of a different, contrasting, practitioner. (40%)
Component 3: ‘Text in Performance’ students will explore three plays in the two years in preparation for the final written examination. They will explore directing, acting and design on all three plays. (40%)
What will you learn about?
Over the two years students will explore a variety of theatre styles and practitioners ranging from Stanislavski and Berkoff, to Frantic Assembly and Artaud. Students will explore both devised and scripted work as the role of actor, director and designer. Whilst completing the practical work students can decide to approach this as either performing or designing. Students will attend the theatre as part of the course and learn how to analyse and review acting and design in preparation for their written exam.
To be successful in this subject students will need to be good at and enjoy:
Students must have an interest and passion for the theatre and the confidence to take risks and be creative. Excellent communication skills are a must, and being able to work effectively in a team to meet deadlines is crucial. Experiencing theatre and performances in their own time will be beneficial.
Progression routes & career opportunities
- Students have gone on to continue studying Drama at Degree level or even attend a performing arts school to train as an actor/performer.
- Some students have even gone on to study a stage design course such as Make-up, Costume, Set design and construction.
- Many students continue to go on to University and study degrees in History, English, Law, Media and Film production.
- Career opportunities linked closely to Drama are Actor, Set design, Costume and Make-up Designer, Lighting Designer, Playwright, Producer, Stage manager, Drama Therapist and Teacher.
- Career opportunities not directly linked to Drama, but seek the transferable skills and qualities from Drama are Journalist, Lawyer, Nurse.
The most common employers of performing arts graduates include:
- local government
- arts organisations
- education institutions
- the National Health Service (NHS)
- leisure companies
- voluntary organisations
Homework/extended learning
Extra rehearsals during Theatre Lab on a Tuesday lunch or after school.
Research and development of Directing and Design concepts for set texts.
Learning lines for Component 1 and 2.
Further reading required on practitioners and historical and social context of the plays.
Students will devise a Pantomime to showcase to primary schools children, including a tour to local school.
Additional information
Set Texts
Machinal – Sophie Treadwell
(NHB ISBN 978-1-85459-211-8)
Saved – Edward Bond
(Methuen ISBN 978-0-413-31360-7)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Simon Stephens
(Bloomsbury, ISBN: 978-1-4081-7335-0).
http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/as-a-level/