St Bede's College

Why choose Drama and Theatre Studies? This subject is a stimulating mixture of practical Drama and the academic study of the whole process which transforms a play script into a theatrical experience. It also gives you a unique opportunity to develop your self-awareness and your communication skills, while discovering the ways in which actors learn their craft and how a piece of theatre is created. What does the course involve? The aim of the course is to provide you with an overall perspective of the work of actor, director, designer, practitioner and playwright. You gain this through a blend of written and practical work. There is a biennial Theatre Studies Field Trip to London where you will experience a production larger in scale than is viable for touring groups in Manchester. There is also the opportunity to perfect your understanding of a set text or practitioner through participation in the biennial Sixth Form play.

What are the entry requirements?

The most important requirements are an interest in Theatre and the kind of enthusiasm which will sustain you through the necessary out of hours rehearsals in the run up to the practical examinations. You should be keen to attend the evening theatre visits (approximately six per year) and to get involved in extra-curricular Drama in order to put into practice what you are learning in class. As there are essays to be written, the standard of your written English should be good. Most students choose acting or costume for their practical skill but those with prior experience of lighting, sound and set building may choose these skills as an alternative. Those students with LAMDA Speech and Drama qualifications are particularly welcome on the course.

AS YEAR

DRAM1 gives you the opportunity to develop the kind of directorial and reviewing skills to enable you to really appreciate the theatrical process from page to stage. There are two essays on the written paper – the first asks you to analyse aspects of a production you have seen during the course and the second to provide informed creative ideas for a production of your set text.

DRAM2 invites you to work in a small group to present a scripted piece from a published play with reference to the work of a specific theatrical practitioner. A substantial piece of written coursework accompanies this element.

A2 YEAR

DRAM3 Requires the study of two further set texts, one pre-twentieth century, to be examined in a two hour written examination alongside an “unseen” question testing theatrical understanding acquired throughout the entire course.

DRAM4 gives you the opportunity to devise an original piece of Drama within a small group. You are responsible for every aspect of this, including a personal portfolio outlining the creative process.

How are the units assessed?

All practical work (and associated written work) is marked by your tutor and moderated by an external examiner during presentation evenings in the Spring Term which are open to an invited audience. All written papers are marked by the board.

Further Information

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further clarification or information about any aspect of the course.
Mrs Nicki Alderson, Head of Drama