Performing Arts
Is this the right subject for me?
If you enjoy: • Expressing yourself in an active and exciting way
- Working in a group
- Contributing your ideas and taking on board those of others
- Exploring ideas by putting yourself in other people’s shoes
- Playing many parts in different imaginary situations
- Creating your own Drama performance work
- Looking at plays written by other people
- Working as a director, costume/set/lighting/sound designer.
then GCSE Drama is the ideal subject for you.
What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course?
You will probably have had experience of Drama during Key Stage 3 in Drama lessons or, perhaps, in English lessons. You may also be a member of a Drama club. Any of these experiences can help if you choose Drama as a GCSE subject. You will develop your improvisation and acting skills to a higher level. You will also look at plays in more detail and at different ways of bringing a script to life on stage. If you are more interested in the technical aspects of Drama (for example set design or lighting) you could focus on these for part of the course.
What will I learn?
You will learn:
- How Drama is created, rehearsed and performed on stage and TV.
- How to work as a director, set, lighting, costume and sound designer.
- Many skills that are highly valued in any walk of life including teamwork and confidently presenting yourself in public.
Course content and how will I be assessed?
Component 1: Devising 40%
Part 1 - Students will create and develop a devised piece from a stimulus.
Part 2 - Students will create a 2,000 word portfolio covering the creating and developing process and analysis and evaluation of this process.
Component 2: Performance from text 20%
Students will perform in two key extracts from a performance text to an external examiner from EDEXCEL.
Component 3: Theatre makers in practice 40% (Written examination 1 hour and 30 minutes)
Part 1 – Practical exploration and study of one complete performance text. (Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible)
Part 2 – Live theatre evaluation. (Willy Russel’s ‘Blood Brothers’)
Students will be expected to complete written work and home learning each week.
You will explore themes, ideas and plays in a practical way and your teacher will assess how well you have done. You will also be required to perform in a play or contribute a form of design to a production, such as costume, lighting or sound. You will perform the play with a visiting examiner in the audience.
What can I do after I’ve completed the course?
After you have completed GCSE Drama you can go on to higher levels of study. These include:
- GCE Drama and Theatre Studies at AS and A2 Level
- BTEC National Performing Arts (Acting).
Successful candidates may be able to enter into employment, at a junior level, in such careers as actor, model,stage manager, media or be included in the entertainment industry. For more information visit the Edexcel GCSE Drama website.
