What is Drama and theatre?
This course offers the opportunity to study and create a broad range of theatre, from classical drama to contemporary devised theatre and experimental performance.
This is an academic subject where we uncover how theatre makers communicate meaning, interpret texts, and engage audiences, explored practically in workshops and rehearsals. You will also develop research skills with regards to theatrical practitioners and their work, building towards three performances and a written exam.
Why study Drama and theatre?
This course allows us to investigate the power of performance and storytelling to affect audiences. If you want to develop analytical, creative and performance skills then this may be the course for you. Drama and theatre develops crucial confidence and presentation skills that can be brought forward into any future course or career.
Is Drama and theatre right for you?
A drama and theatre student needs to be confident sharing their work in front of others and working collaboratively with peers. The more interested you are in theatre, film, literature and visual arts, the more relevant the course will be to you. You will be expected to watch theatre live and online. While previous academic experience in drama is beneficial it is not essential. Enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to work outside your comfort zone are the key to success.
What will you study?
- Page to stage: realising a performance text
You will study a playtext in detail, analysing it as an actor and a designer (set, costume, lighting and sound). Assessed in an exam at the end of Year 2 - Devising
Using an extract from an existing playtext and inspired by the practice and work of a theatre practitioner, you will create an original piece of theatre and write a reflective portfolio about the process - Live theatre evaluation
You will attend a piece of live theatre and analyse how meaning and emotion are communicated. Assessed in an exam at the end of Year 2 - Interpreting a performance text
You will study a playtext in detail as a director and, inspired by the practice and work of another theatre practitioner, develop a full directorial concept for the play. Assessed in an exam at the end of Year 2 - Text in performance
Using existing material you will develop two performances, a monologue and a group piece, performed in front of an external examiner
What happens outside lessons?
Over the two years, you will visit the theatre as part of the course and further opportunities to do so as enrichment. The college also stages a number of performances each year, both staff and student led, including a full-scale musical each October offering both on and offstage (technical) roles.
Visits to and workshops with the nearby Northern School of Art’s drama school give a taster of what the vocational training to become a professional actor is like, for those students looking to take their performing careers further.
“Being a performing arts student will bring out the real you. There’s a lack of judgement and an attitude to be yourself in ways you may not get with other subjects. Studying this subject will open many opportunities like going on trips to your favourite musicals, to participate in the collage production and even bring your own theatre projects to life with the helpful and uplifting staff.”
Carly W, Year 13
Where can Drama and theatre take you?
An A level in drama and theatre can lead to many careers in the field of entertainment, culture and media, including as a performer, offstage in production design or stage management, venue management and administration, arts and events management or education.
What subjects go well with Drama and theatre?
Drama and theatre complements most subjects but can be particularly effective in combination with:
· English literature · history · law · film · media studies · psychology
What are the entry requirements?
- General requirements: Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
- Subject specific: GCSE drama is desirable but not essential.