Drama and Theatre Studies

Course Description

A1

In your first year studying A-Level Drama and Theatre, we will be looking into our set texts and doing all of the preparation necessary for not only the written exam at the end of your 2nd year but also bringing every member of the class to the same level with their knowledge and understanding of Drama and Theatre. The Drama course is a fantastic umbrella subject which can be studied alongside any other subject that is on offer at ASFC. The written exam is made up of 3 sections. In Section A you will answer a question on Live Theatre which is asking you to analyse and evaluate the production which you have seen. This means that we get to visit our local Theatre’s in and around Manchester. The theatre Trips that we go on have involved attending the following Theatre; The Lowry, The Royal Exchange and Home to name a few. This is a wonderfully exciting opportunity for us all to watch professional production that we use for inspiration. Section B requires the study of our first set text ‘Machinal’ with Expressionism. As part of this we look closely at the expressionist movement not only in theatre but also in film and art. You will answer 2 questions in the written exam for this text one from the perspective of a performer and the other as a designer. This lends itself perfectly to be able to practically explore both the performance elements and the design elements to discover how theatre is created. It is integral that we study the theory in the classroom before entering the theatre to apply our knowledge and understanding to the practical aspects of performance and design. This perfectly prepares you for our 2nd set text ‘Lysistrata’ which is Section C of the Written Exam. Lysistrata is an Ancient Greek Comedy which is full of amazing and interesting moments that speak to our modern day and is also choker-block full of hilarious innuendos and double entendre. We look at ‘Lysistrata’ through the lens of a Director which give you the opportunity to explore and develop your directorial skill’s while also utilising the Methodologies of Bertolt Brecht, a German Theatre Practitioner, who is responsible for the development of Epic Theatre which is Political in nature. This then allows you to create and develop your own Production concept to explore putting the play ‘Lysistrata’ on as a full scale production for a contemporary audience.

A2

The A1 year is designed to ensure preparation for the A2 year which is where we have a more performance based focus. During the A2 year students will undertake 3 performance exams and their coursework element totalling 60% of the course. We begin the year with our initial exploration of Artaud and The Theatre of Cruelty, we delve deep into the methodologies, techniques and theories that make up this performance style as well as undertaking research on the Man himself. These are then connected to our Devising Skills as students will be expected to create their own 20-30 minute performance using the Theatre of Cruelty as an influential framework; this is done in conjunction with studying another play that we will use as a stimulus to inspire the student’s own performance. The Devising process is one of creative freedom where the students endeavour to provide research to support their own ideas that can be developed into the aims and intentions of their practical piece of theatre, in which they are in charge of all aspects including design and they will hold and leader production meetings with their teacher and our dedicated technicians who have years of experience of designing and performing in a range of theatrical pieces. The performances will take place before the Christmas break as the student’s will be building their Portfolio (the coursework element) alongside and keeping an actor’s journal which will allow them to theoretically convey the meaning behind their performance. After Christmas in the spring term we have the other 2 exam performances to prepare and perform. They are both scripted pieces that we will perform in our Theatre, one is a Monologue or Duologue and the other is a Group Performance. The script choice change every year so that we can find the best text to suit the student’s strengths as they will be performing in front of a Visiting Examiner. During the Spring Term we will have support sessions for the completion of the student’s portfolio as well as support sessions for the written exam which will continue into the Easter Break. Once we return from the Easter Break we regain a full focus on the Written Exam (40% of the course). The Drama lessons will continue after student’s are on Exam leave and these become troubleshooting/Exam Techniques session that become bespoke once student’s express an area of concern they have.

 

Component 1 – Devising

Component 2 – Text in Performance

Component 3 – Theatre Makers in Practice

Theoretical exploration and practical exploration. You will begin to explore your performance skills specifically vocal and physical techniques ranging from Experimenting with Pitch, tone, projection, intonation, inflection etc. Physically you will experiment with posture, stance, contact use of space and begin to look into how to implement practitioners methodologies into your own work to effectively communicate meaning to an audience.

You will develop your research and analytical skills during this section of the course. Utilising the skills you have previously learnt as well by putting the theory into practice. This will be the beginning of you responding to texts imaginatively conveying ideas clearly and coherently as well as using subject specific terminology appropriately. Using research to develop ideas in a variety of contexts.

Throughout this period the skills that will be used and developed are responding to texts imaginatively conveying ideas clearly and coherently. Where you will be practically exploring the use of voice, movement, staging and characterisation as well as the ways in which the ideas of key theatre makers are realised in

Performance.

● forming critical judgements about the practice of theatre makers based on their understanding of drama and theatre

● responding to texts imaginatively conveying ideas clearly and coherently

● practically exploring the use of voice, movement, staging and characterisation

● practically exploring ways in which the ideas of the director are interpreted in performance

● the use of an appropriate subject-specific terminology

● analysing the ways in which different performance and production elements are brought

together to create theatre

● applying practitioner methodology to their own dramatic interpretations

● using research to develop ideas in a variety of contexts.

● working independently or collaboratively as performers or designers to interpret text, in

rehearsal and in performance

● making appropriate judgements about the interpretation of texts in performance

● researching and developing ideas

● demonstrating the ability to apply acting/design skills effectively in the context of a

performance to an audience.

Performers must also acquire, develop and apply the following skills:

● refining and amending work in progress with the aim to realising their artistic intentions

● rehearsing and learning lines

● characterisation through:

O vocal expression: use of clarity, pace, inflection, pitch and projection

O physicality: use of space, gesture, stillness and stance

● contact, relationships and communication with other performers on stage (proxemics)

● communication and engagement with the audience.

● forming critical judgements about the practice of theatre makers based on their understanding of drama and theatre

● responding to texts imaginatively conveying ideas clearly and coherently

● practically exploring ways in which the ideas of key theatre makers are realised in performance

● staging and visual impact

● the acting style of key roles including the use of characterisation, vocal expression and

movement

● The original performance conditions and the historical, social and cultural context of the text.

·         Problem Solving

·         Communication

·         Teamwork

·         Leadership

·         Listening

·         Time Management

·         Adaptability

·         Critical thinking

·         Speaking

·         Attention to Detail

·         Conflict Resolution

·         Creativity

·         Dependability

·         Interpersonal Skills

·         Organisation

·         Analysis

·         Analytical reasoning

·         Collaboration

·         Decision making

·         Giving Feedback

·         Work Ethic

·          Dedication

·         Written Communication

·         Evaluation

40% Written Exam

30% Performance

30% Coursework

Annual Trip to New York,

Trips throughout the Academic year to different theatres including the Royal Exchange, Lowry, Home Manchester as well as some potential Fringe Theatres as well.

We work Closely with Local Theatre company 2boards and a Passion.

Trips to LIPA, Workshops hosted by LIPA and theatre companies.

Drama and Theatre Studies alumni

Isabelle Thomas

Drama and Theatre Studies, English Language, History

A*AB

Foundation Acting (Stage and Screen) at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

Isabella Smith

Drama and Theatre Studies, Photography, History

A*A*B

Acting for Live and Recorded Media at The Arden School of Theatre

Has appeared in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks

Isabelle Thomas

Drama and Theatre Studies, English Language, History

A*AB

Foundation Acting (Stage and Screen) at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

Isabella Smith

Drama and Theatre Studies, Photography, History

A*A*B

Acting for Live and Recorded Media at The Arden School of Theatre

Has appeared in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks