Drama and Theatre Studies - A Level

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Drama and Theatre Studies - A Level

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• A2 Course Breakdown
• The A2 is split into three units
• Unit 4 Devising
• Unit 5 Text in Performance 2
• Unit 6 Text in Context 2

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Unit 4 Devising

• This unit involves making and performing a
  devised piece of theatre. This can be based on a
  theme or topic of interest to the group, or might
  be based on introductory workshop lessons given
  by the teacher. This piece of work could have
  some connection to the AS, e.g. it might pick up
  on a theme from a play.

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Key Elements to remember in this unit

• The devised piece of work should be original
• You will be assessed on your individual
  contribution to the work both in rehearsals and
  in performance.
• You will have to keep a focused logbook detailing
  specific areas of the rehearsal process. This is
  called your Structured Record and will be
  assessed.
• You must create a script or a detailed set of
  instructions for your work. The final piece
  should follow this script or instructions as
  closely as possible.
• This unit is worth 20
• The assessment will be done by your tutor and the
  marks, Structured Records and a video will be
  sent off to be externally moderated.

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Unit 5 Text in Performance 2

• In this unit students will perform their own
  interpretation of a full length play script. This
  play must be directed by the group, and should
  present an original and creative interpretation
  of the text. This might involve changing the
  location of the play, cutting the play to focus
  on a particular message, gender swapping of
  characters etc. This unit will be externally
  examined, and the examiner will be looking for
  originality of interpretation as well as quality
  of acting.

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Key Elements to remember in this unit

• Group sizes should be between 3 and 6.
• The total presentation should be between 15 mins
  and 30 mins, depending on group size.
• Remember BE CREATIVE and show the examiner that
  you have really thought about the play and what
  it means.
• The play must be directed by the group, not the
  tutor.
• This unit is worth 15. The workshop performance
  will be assessed by a visiting examiner.

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Unit 6 Text in Context 2

• This unit is split into two sections, both of
  which are examined in a final written examination
  in May.

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Section A

• This involves a study of a set play. This year
  the text is The Trojan Women. You must study this
  play from the point of view of a Director,
  ensuring that you understand how it might be
  performed and how you yourself would direct it.
  You will study the play in detail in class and
  will complete a research folder of notes on the
  text. You will also be allowed to annotate your
  text. These notes can be taken into the
  examination with you. The final exam will present
  you with a section of text, which you will be
  asked questions on related to its staging and
  performance. Make sure you have understood the
  text and can think creatively for success in this
  unit. This section is worth 10.

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Section B

• In this unit you must have completed a study of a
  play written between 1575 and 1720. You must
  focus on the production history of the play,
  exploring it's original performance and how
  productions of the play might have changed
  throughout the ages. In order to fully explore
  this, you will need an excellent working
  knowledge of Theatre History and how acting and
  design changed through the ages with relation to
  social, historical, political and cultural events
  through history.
• This unit is also examined via a written
  examination, in which you will be asked to
  contrast the original performance conditions with
  a production form another period of history. This
  might focus on design, acting or themes. Once
  again, you are allowed to take notes into the
  exam, and as such should make sure you compile a
  research folder in class. This section is worth 5

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• In Section B you are required to study and
  research the production history of a play written
  and performed between 1575 and 1720 and to
  evaluate the ways in which directors, designers
  and performers have used the medium of drama to
  interpret the chosen play. This should include a
  contemporary production of the play seen at first
  hand.
• You will have two and a half hours to complete
  the examination questions.