Drama & Theatre Studies
What is Drama and Theatre Studies A level about?
How does an actor play and breathe life into his role?
How does a director give life to the ideas in the play?
How do you interpret an ordinary script into a stunning visual performance?
On this course, we will learn to do all of the above and more. You will be shown the wonderful diversity in theatre and will learn to analyse, interpret and create imaginative, stylish and effective theatre, whilst increasingly becoming a competent theatre practitioner. While this A level is rigorously academic, it is essentially practical and offers a unique approach to learning. It is an active and creative course which aims to nurture your enthusiasm for and interest in theatre, both as an audience member and as a participant.
What does the course consist of?
The AS year is essentially about taking a play from the page to performance.
You will begin by exploring two contrasting plays and learning about one recognised theatre practitioner. The approach is mostly practical with a high level of analysis. Through written and practical coursework assessment, you will demonstrate your understanding, practical skills and ideas. We will also visit the theatre to review plays and here you will learn to critique all aspects of the production with skill.
At the beginning of the A2 year, you will embark on an exciting project where you will draw on all of your experience, research and ideas to develop an original piece of theatre. You will be assessed on your rehearsal process, your performance and on a detailed written evaluation you will write.
For your written exam, you have the wonderful opportunity to explore a play from the point of view of a Director. You will develop your own production ideas. Within the bounds of relevance, you are free to be as imaginative and daring as you wish. You will also write a critique of a historic play you have seen, drawing comparisons with the plays original performance context.
Whom does the subject suit?
You need to be really enthusiastic about acting and theatre: watching it, doing it, talking about it and writing about it. Team-work is an essential element to the course. Students need to be very reliable in their attendance and punctuality, they need to like working creatively in teams and enjoy sharing and experimenting with ideas. There needs to be a willingness and independence in taking direction and developing both practical and academic skills. If you love drama and theatre and are able to commit your time and energy to your work, you will have a wonderful time on this course!
How is Drama and Theatre Studies taught at d'Overbroeck's?
Drama & Theatre Studies takes place in the Performing Arts department at Leckford Place. Student performances will usually take place in studios and theatres around Oxford. You will be taken on several trips to the theatre and therefore have lots of experience to draw upon in your work. You will be expected to gather for rehearsals outside of your timetabled lessons. We approach work practically with constant academic analysis and rigour. Our students almost universally forge very close bonds with their A level Drama group and speak fondly of the experience.
What books can I read to get a sense of the subject?
The books we use are listed below so why not have a look at these?
- A Student's Guide to AS Drama and Theatre Studies for the Edexcel Specification, Max Harvey and Nigel Willams (Rhinegold Publishing)
- A Student's Guide to A2 Drama and Theatre Studies for the Edexcel Specification, Max Harvey and Nigel Williams (Rhinegold Publishing)
You could also read some plays to broaden your awareness of different styles of writing. We recommend:
- Steven Berkoff: Agamemnon, Decadence
- Complicite: The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol and Mnemonics
- Aristophanes: Lysistrata
- Samuel Beckett: Waiting for Godot
- Jacques Lecoq: The Moving Body
What websites are useful to look at?
Have a look at the Drama department's website
Who will teach me?
The teaching staff comprises:
Fizza Hussain, (replacing Kate Parsons for the year), is our Acting Head of Drama. She trained at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris, The Desmond Jones School of Mime and Physical Theatre, and with John Rudlin (on Masks and Commedia dell'Arte). Fizza has extensive experience of teaching Drama, training actors, directing and devising plays for performance in England, France and Tokyo and joins us from The British School of Paris.
Fran Godsal: With a Masters Degree in Applied Theatre and Drama in Education from Central School of Speech and Drama, Fran has experience in education and outreach work and has taught Drama in more than one school. She also led a theatre project with Burmese refugees in Thailand.
Joe Swarbrick: With a history in Musical Theatre direction, Joe also holds an MA in English Literature from Cambridge University where he specialised in the performance history of Shakespeare. He also works as a tutor at the Pegasus Theatre in East Oxford.
What might the subject lead onto?
Drama & Theatre Studies is accepted by universities. It is excellent preparation for a degree in Drama or Drama School training, however, the skills developed through this course are relevant to many different academic and professional areas. It combines very well with other Arts, Humanities and English. However, Kate has taught an excellent A level Drama student who is now working on a PHD in Robotics at Cambridge University.