Download drama and theatre studies - Oldham Hulme Grammar School

DRAMA AND
THEATRE STUDIES
AS / A2 Level
[AQA Examination Board ]
Assessment Methods:
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Performance for an audience / Design in practice. Practical examination.
Portfolio of evidence and self-assessment
Written Examination
Am I suitable to do Drama and Theatre Studies at A level ?
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Candidates who opt for Drama and Theatre Studies should have a love of the theatre and ideally
will have taken Drama or English Literature at GCSE.
You must enjoy working with others to express ideas dramatically, whether as a performer or
designer.
You must have the ability to write good essays in a critical and analytical way, both for portfolio and
examinations.
What qualities do I need (to develop)?
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A positive attitude
eg
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Good Communication
eg
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Initiative
eg
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Focus
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Independence
eg
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Being a team player
Commitment and
Organisation
Reliability
eg
eg
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Accepting and following advice positively, being open to
ideas, being involved.
Sharing ideas, listening, writing clear essays, negotiating
in group work.
Getting costumes for your play, organizing your own
deadlines, independent library research.
Concentration in acting, getting details of production
right.
Working alone, championing your ideas, showing
initiative.
Offering positive criticism, supporting others.
Willingness to rehearse in study periods, lunch time
and after school for as long as it takes.
Punctuality to lessons and rehearsals, prompt work.
What can I do with Drama and Theatre Studies ?
Most students study the subject out of pure interest. Obviously, many develop this further by choosing a
degree in acting, performance skills, teaching or perhaps a joint degree such as French and Drama.
Some choose a completely new subject, where they find the skills which they have developed in Drama and
Theatre Studies underpin their new subject - Subjects such as law (persuasive communication),
archaeology and anthropology (knowledge of culture), business management (organisation), public
relations (understanding an audience), medicine (empathy and communication with patients).
Drama and Theatre Studies uses and develops most of the skills employers want.
AS specification has 2 units:
Unit 1: Live Theatre Production Seen and Prescribed Play
Assessment Method:
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Written Examination.
1 hour 30 minutes (100 marks)
60% of total AS marks / 30% of total A Level marks
Candidates' personal response to live theatre seen during the course
Interpretation of a set play from a performance perspective.
One question to be answered from each of two sections:
Section A - response to live theatre seen during the course
Section B - study of one set play.
Unit 2: Presentation of an Extract from a Play
Assessment Method:
Examined performance/design
Portfolio of Evidence
15 – 40 minute performance (80 marks)
40% of total AS marks / 20% of total A Level marks
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Working in groups to develop and present an extract from a published play chosen by the
candidates. The assessment also includes candidates' preparatory and development work and
supporting notes.
Study of an influential director, designer, theatre company or other practitioner, linked to the
candidate's practical work.
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A2 specification has 2 units:
Unit 3: Further Prescribed Plays including Pre-Twentieth Century
Assessment Method:
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Written Examination
2 hours (100 marks)
30% of total A Level marks
Study of two set plays, one from each of two different time periods.
(One question on each play, one of which is synoptic requiring a complete stage realisation of a
short extract from the set play chosen)
Unit 4: Presentation of Devised Drama
Assessment Method:
Examined performance/design
Portfolio of Evidence
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15 – 40 minute performance (80 marks)
20% of total A Level marks
Performance by a group of devised drama. The assessment also includes candidates' preparatory
and development work and supporting notes. Synoptic.