Theatre Studies
Head of Department: M. Burlington, BA (Birmingham) MA (CSSD)
Course Specification: AQA 5241/6241
The Theatre Studies course looks at all aspects of how a play transfers from page to stage, from the point of view of director, actor and designer. Pupils look at a wide range of theatre styles and there is an emphasis on influencial figures in the theatre such as Stanislavski and Brecht. Pupils will also have the opportunity to consider the work of contemporary practitioners such as Steven Berkoff and DV8. Much of the work is practically based, though this will be supported through essay writing. It is of paramount importance that each candidate is able to work well in a group as this can affect performance. An important part of the course is the critical analysis of performance, and theatre trips to London and elsewhere will be organised during the two years, the cost of which will be chargeable.
Those taking the subject need not have taken GCSE Drama, though it is desirable. Some practical theatre experience or skill (either on stage or backstage) is a clear advantage. They need to be enthusiastic and self-motivated, capable of organising their own time and the time of others.
Pattern of Assessment
| AS Unit 1 DRAM1 Presentation of an extract from a play Coursework [20%] |
Performance of an extract from a play demonstrating the ideas of a chosen practitioner, director, designer or theatre company. The assessment covers preparation and practice, and the pupil’s notes as well as the final performance. |
| AS Unit 2 DRAM2 Production Seen and Prescribed Play 1½ hours exam [30%] |
Production Seen Study of a play in performance by a professional
theatre company. Prescribed Play Study of a set text from the point of view of an actor, director or designer. Performance ideas for individual characters, design ideas for discrete acts or scenes, and staging or directorial ideas for specified sections can be considered. |
| A2 Unit 3 DRAM3 Devised Theatre Coursework [20%] |
Production of the pupil’s own original piece of theatre, in a style of the pupil’s choosing. The assessment covers preparation and practice, and the pupil’s notes as well as the final performance. |
| A2 Unit 4 DRAM4 Text into Performance 2 hours exam [30%] |
The study of two further set plays from the point of view of an actor,
director or designer: Pre Twentieth Century Play Performance ideas for individual characters, design ideas for discrete acts or scenes, staging or directorial ideas for specified sections. Twentieth Century Play A complete stage realisation of a short extract from the selected set play. |
Pupils who opt to take Theatre Studies to AS Level only will complete their examinations in the Easter Quarter of the Upper Sixth.