Drama and Theatre Studies

STATEMENT OF INTENT FOR DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES

Drama and Theatre students at Charters School will explore their creativity through a variety of styles, themes and topics. Students will become confident and independent thinkers, who are able to critically analyse the roles within theatre and live productions. Students will have an appreciation of their own work and others, always demonstrating respect and empathy. They will participate in an engaging, practical curriculum, that supports the development of new acting skills, as well nurturing existing talent.

This means:

• They will study a range of practitioners, plays and styles of theatre, in order to develop their practical and theoretical understanding of Drama.
• Through verbal and written evaluations, they will confidently articulate and analyse live productions and their own performances. Within this, they will identify drama techniques and skills and form a critical opinion.
• They will regularly make, perform and respond to Drama, in order to develop their own practice, through the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum.
• They will develop core transferable skills, such as communication, co-operation and confidence that will assist them in any chosen career path

SUMMARY OF CURRICULUM

A Level Theatre Studies is a well-balanced course offering students extensive opportunities in practical exploration alongside a genuine academic qualification. You will examine two set texts throughout the Theatre Studies course as well as developing your understanding of a variety of practical approaches and styles. You will be taken to see professional theatre both regionally and in London. You will develop key skills, such as: acting skills, critical evaluative skills, analytical skills, quality of written communication, creativity, negotiation, diplomacy, assertiveness and resilience, a broadening and deepening of theatrical knowledge and an increased understanding of theatrical style, genre, form and approach.

From A Level, students can progress to higher level study in a range of subjects such as Drama, Performing Arts, Theatre Studies or other non-theatrical subjects such as English, History, Sociology, Geography and Business Studies to name but a few.  Students can also progress onto a specialised Drama school or seek employment in a theatrical field if they wish to specialise in a theatrical role.  Guidance is given for this as required.

COURSE DETAILS

Component 1: The study of text and live theatre which leads towards a final examination at the end of the course. 

You will be taken to see live shows, learn vital deconstructive and analytical skills in order to help you evaluate the work of theatre makers.  You will also be taught how to interpret texts from different periods.  The texts we will use will be Antigone by Sophocles and Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker. 

Component 2: The preparation and performance of a devised piece of drama.

You will learn how to create an effective piece of devised theatre and will learn how to theatrically document the process of your creation through the construction of a working notebook.  You will learn about key theatrical practitioners during this unit so that you can apply theatrical methodology to their own practice.

Component 3: The practical exploration and interpretation of three different textual extracts.

You will learn how to approach a range of theatre as you are guided through a series of workshops on three varying textual extracts.  You will develop your ability to apply the work of theatrical practitioner in this unit and will be expected to prepare your third extract for performance.  You will create a reflective report on your work and will learn how to realise artistic intention as well as develop your skills of personal theatrical evaluation.

KEY STAGE 5 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The minimum entry requirements for Charters Sixth Form can be viewed here

EXAM BOARD

AQA

BE INSPIRED

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