Drama

In key stage 3 drama has 2 lessons a week in years 7, 8 and 9. The overriding objective of Drama at TGS is to give students the opportunity to express themselves in a different way and creative way, developing confidence in speaking and presentation. The work is largely conducted in groups with an emphasis on developing cooperation and listening skills. Leaders will often emerge in these lessons. The work is topic based and at key stage 3 we explore ideas via both texts and improvisation. As the students progress into year 9 we use drama to tackle more sensitive subjects and our work will often complement the PSHE curriculum.

GCSE Drama is an exciting, inspiring and practical course. The specification promotes involvement in and enjoyment of Drama, as performers and/or designers. Additionally it provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop skills as informed and thoughtful audience members. The GCSE offers a broad and coherent course of study which enables learners to:

• Explore performance texts, understanding their social, cultural and historical context including the theatrical conventions of the period in which they were created
• Develop a range of theatrical skills and apply them to create performance
• Work collaboratively to generate, develop and communicate ideas
• Apply knowledge and understanding when making, performing and responding to Drama
• Reflect on and evaluate their own work and that of others

SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT

Component 1: Devising Theatre: internally assessed, externally moderated 40% of qualification

Pupils participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre using either the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or a genre, in response to a stimulus set by WJEC Eduqas. They can be assessed on either acting or design

Component 2: Performing from a Text: externally assessed by a visiting examiner: 20% of qualification

Pupils study two extracts from the same performance text chosen by the centre. They participate in one performance using sections of text from both extracts. They can be assessed on either acting or design.

Component 3: Interpreting Theatre: written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes: 40% of qualification.

SECTION A: SET TEXT

A series of questions on one set text from a choice of five. Current choices are:

1.      The Tempest, William Shakespeare

2.      The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Bertolt Brecht

3.      Hard to Swallow, Mark Wheeller

4.      War Horse, Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford

5.      DNA, Dennis Kelly

SECTION B: LIVE THEATRE REVIEW

One question, from a choice of two, requiring analysis and evaluation of a given aspect of a live theatre production seen during the course.

A level  Drama is also an exciting, inspiring and practical course. The specification promotes involvement in and enjoyment of Drama, as performers and/or designers. Additionally it provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop skills as informed and thoughtful audience members.

SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT

Component 1: Theatre Workshop

Learners will be assessed on either acting or design. Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text chosen from a list supplied by Edugas.

Component 2: Text in Action

Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus supplied by Edugas. Learners must realise their performance live for the visiting examiner. Learners choosing design must also give a 5-10 minute presentation of their design to the examiner.

Component 3: Text in Performance (Written examination):

Two questions, based on two different texts, one written pre 1956 and one written post-1956.