What is A-Level Drama?
While the Drama A-Level at d’Overbroeck’s is rigorously academic, it is essentially practical, offering students a unique approach to learning. It is an active and creative course which aims to nurture students’ enthusiasm for, and interest in, theatre both as audience members and participant.
On this course, we will answer these questions and you 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.
What you'll do
Drama and Theatre A level covers a broad range of skills and content. You will be asked to think about theatre as an actor, a director and a designer and show your skills in both performance and written essays. Practical work is at the heart of the subject – written work is always based on things we explore practically and assessed performance is a major part of the course. You will also go to see a lot of live theatre to inspire and influence your work, as well as analysing live performance in the final exam.
There are three components which make up the entire Drama and Theatre A level.
Component 1: Devising
Practical and written coursework assessed by your teachers.
Component 2: Text in Performance
Performance of one extract and a monologue or duologue from two different play texts, assessed by a visiting examiner.
Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice
A written exam consisting of a Live Theatre Evaluation and the exploration and interpretation of two contrasting play texts in performance, explored practically in class and written about in the exam.
Whom does this subject suit?
You need to be really enthusiastic about acting and theatre: watching it, doing it, talking 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!
You do not need a GCSE in Drama to study at A-Level. However, it is important to demonstrate that you are keen and enthusiastic. It would be helpful therefore for you to have experience of performance in either school productions or other Youth Theatre groups. A good GCSE grade in English will help you with written coursework and the exam in the final year.
What might the subject lead to?
Drama and Theatre A-Level is, of course, excellent preparation for a degree in Drama or Drama School training; however, the skills developed on this course are relevant to many different academic and professional areas. It combines very well with English and other Arts and Humanities subjects. Many of our students have gone on to study at Drama School or in theatre-related disciplines.