A Level Course Listing
This EDEXCEL specification is designed to promote a balance between practical theatre making and the theoretical understanding of drama and theatre. This stimulating and engaging course of study will encourage you to make connections between dramatic theory and your own practice.
You will study five performance texts (two complete texts and three key extracts from three different texts, studied in the context of the whole text) representing a range of social, historical and cultural contexts. The complete texts are studied for C3, the written examination and the key extracts are divided between C1 and C2, devising and performance work. You will also study two influential theatre practitioners (individuals or companies) and produce three performances; one devised performance and two scripted extracts.
This content is divided as follows between the three components.
You will participate in the creation, development and performance of a devised piece of drama. The stimulus is a scene from a published play and you will use the working methods and techniques of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company.
You will participate in the creation, development and performance of: i. a group performance of one key extract from a performance text ii. a monologue/duologue of one key extract from a different performance text
You will explore:
iii. live theatre evaluation iv. practical exploration and study of a complete performance text – focusing on how this can be realised for performance v. practical exploration and interpretation of another complete performance text, in light of a chosen theatre practitioner – focusing on how this text could be re-imagined for a contemporary audience
You will be given the opportunity to develop performing and/or design skills as appropriate to your interests and the facilities available in the centre. You must choose one skill from the following list for each of Components 1 and 2. You may either choose the same skill for both Components 1 and 2, or a different skill for both Components 1 and 2:
vi. performing vii. sound design viii. lighting design ix. set design (including props) x. costume design (including hair and make-up)
In addition to your own theatre making, you will also develop knowledge and understanding of the role of the director and participate in live theatre as an audience member.
Examination board: EDEXCEL 9DR0
At least a grade 6 at GCSE.
Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated. 40% of qualification.
Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner. 20% of qualification.
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes. 40% of qualification. Section A 500 words of notes on one theatre production allowed in the examination. Section B and Section C Exploration and interpretation of two performance texts. No text for Section B allowed – extract printed in exam. Clean copy of text allowed for Section C.