AS and A Level Drama and Theatre Studies
‘Our future depends on the state of our imaginations, and drama becomes more important as the world changes. Plays young people write, act in and watch are the blueprints of the world they will have to live in.’ David Davis: Edward Bond And The Dramatic Child.
The Drama and Theatre Studies course demands practical, creative and communication skills. You will study a variety of plays, playwrights and practitioners through practical workshops and study, as well as take part in productions.
You will also extend your ability to create drama and you will be required to write about your experiences and to develop your powers of analysis to become an informed critic of theatre.
You will be exposed to many different genres of theatre and have the opportunity to watch many productions. You will embrace both traditional theatre and modern theatre techniques, using computers and digital projectors to create virtual sets.
What is covered in the course?
The full A level course comprises four units. Units one and two make up the AS level and the remaining units complete the A level course. The plays studied each year will vary depending on the size and gender mix of the class.
For AS:
Unit 1: Practical - 40% of AS or 20% of A Level
For the major part of this first practical unit, candidates will either act in a group or contribute their chosen technical production skill to a performance from a set text. They will then either act in a group or contribute their chosen technical production skill to a second performance based on a text devised by the group.
Unit 2: Written Paper - 60% of AS or 30% of A Level
In this written paper unit, candidates will be assessed on their responses to two texts and a performance seen. Candidates will be assessed on their ability to analyse scenes from the texts with regard to character motivation and action, atmosphere and staging potential.
For A Level - the above plus:
Unit 3: Practical - 30% of A Level
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to analyse and evaluate the working process involved in the preparation and presentation of two Practical Performances.
Unit 4: Written paper - 20% of A Level
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to analyse from the point of view of an actor or a designer responsible for technical production. Two further texts are also studied.
The most important requirement for the course is that you have great enthusiasm for acting, performance or technical theatre, and are prepared to work hard.
Specification: WJEC AS & A Level GCE in Drama and Theatre Studies
Click here to download the current specification for this A level course.
Assessment summary:
For AS
DA1 20% Practical performance
Unit title: Performance workshop.
For this unit candidates will either act in a group or contribute their
chosen technical production skill to a performance from a set text
and a devised piece. They will work on the ideas of two practitioners.
The unit is internally marked and externally moderated.
DA2 30% Written paper (2 hour paper)
Open text exam
Unit Title: Text in Performance
Candidates will answer three questions:
• One pre-1900 text from a prescribed list.
• One post-1900 text from a prescribed list.
• Live theatre review.
This unit is externally marked.
For A Level - the above plus:
DA3 30% Practical performance
Unit Title: Performance on a set theme
Candidates will be expected to work in response to a theme set by
WJEC and prepare two performances. In each case candidates will
either act or demonstrate a technical production skill with a group of
performers. The performance will include:
• scenes / extracts from a published text
• a piece devised by the group.
An evaluation of performance work for both pieces will be required.
This unit is externally marked.
DA4 20% Written paper (2½ hour paper)
Unit Title: Text in Context
1. Two set texts from a prescribed list: one pre-1900 and one post
1900. This is an ‘open text’ examination – candidates will be
asked to discuss the play as a whole, including the following
aspects:
• theatrical context
• performance history
• theatrical challenges of text in terms of acting
• theatrical challenges in terms of production skills
• personal reaction to the text
2. Directorial analysis of an unseen text.
There will be four sections to the paper:
• ground plan
• design/costume
• lighting/sound
• movement
This unit is externally marked.
