The Samworth Church Academy

A Level Drama

The subject content details the knowledge, understanding and skills that students are expected to develop throughout the course of study.

The subject content for A-level Drama and Theatre is divided into three components:

  1. Drama and theatre
  2. Creating original drama
  3. Making theatre

Guidance is also provided on the theatrical skills students will need to work on.

In the practical components students may specialise in performing, lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets and/or directing.

Assessments

Component 1: Drama and theatre

What's assessed

  • Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
  • Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B
  • Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

How it's assessed

  • Written exam: 3 hours
  • Open book
  • 80 marks
  • 40% of A-level

Questions

  • Section A: one question (from a choice) on one of the set plays from List A (25 marks)
  • Section B: one three part question on a given extract from one of the set plays from List B (30 marks)
  • Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (25 marks)

 

Component 2: Creating original drama (practical)

What's assessed

  • Process of creating devised drama
  • Performance of devised drama (students 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)
  • 60 marks in total
  • 30% of A-level

This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.

 

Component 3: Making theatre (practical)

What's assessed

  • Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts (Extract 1, 2 and 3) each taken from a different play

Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3

Extract 3 is to be performed as a final assessed piece (students 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)
  • 60 marks in total
  • 30% of A-level

Grade 6 in GCSE Drama and Grade 6 in GCSE English

We want students to have an inspiring experience of A-level Drama and Theatre.

This qualification emphasises practical creativity alongside research and theoretical understanding.

Students learn through experience, seeing theatre and making theatre for themselves. Students are introduced to a wide range of theatrical styles and contexts as they explore plays practically, devise and work on performances.

Students choose to develop as a:

  • performer
  • designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets)
  • director
  • combination of these.

Whichever option they choose, students will gain many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand their horizons.

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