Drama and Theatre A Level

A Level Drama and Theatre Studies is a practical and challenging course, which covers every aspect of theatre production

You and your peers will take leading roles in incorporating essential aspects of stagecraft into the creative process.

You will also evaluate how to reach out and communicate with audiences using your unique voice and ideas.

Naturally, you will spend some of your time at the theatre as well, which is a great opportunity to analyse other people’s ideas.

Indeed, you will analyse everything from acting and costume, through to lighting, effects, setting, characterisation and interpretation.

Why choose
Drama and Theatre A Level?

At Brock we are fortunate to have a Performing Arts department with excellent facilities.

You will benefit from two studio theatres, a large performance space, four sound studios, two sprung dance studios, three rehearsal studios, props and costume areas, two Mac suites, and two lighting and sound gantries. 

The course is designed to feel like a professional experience. You will work alongside staff who are professionally trained actors and who still maintain links with the industry.

These teachers regularly bring professional theatre companies into the College to run workshops and give performances.

Course modules/units

Year one:

1. Theatre Workshop
2. Text in Performance

Year two:

1. Text in Action
2. Text in Performance

Additional information

• Study five different performance texts representing a range of social, historical and cultural contexts to enhance your understanding of theatrical form.

• Examine the teachings of a range of theatre practitioners to gain different perspectives on the potential of theatre art.

• Reflect on and devise from a piece of theatre to develop skills in composition and analysis.

• Reinterpret an extract from a text for performance to develop and demonstrate your creative abilities.

• Witness a breadth of live theatre performances, from traditional realism to more innovative contemporary work.

• Develop skills in being a critical audience member as well as a performer and deviser of material.

Teaching & learning

You will learn in a variety of ways, including learning by doing – otherwise known as, kinaesthetic learning. Through this method you will develop a broad range of performance skills.

A significant part of A Level Drama involves speaking and listening. You will do much of this as you discuss and critique your own work and the work of others.

You will also explore acting methodologies from theatrical practitioners like Stanislavski, who specialised in acting driven by emotions.

Minimum entry requirements

Five GCSEs at grade 4 and above with a minimum average GCSE score of 4.0, including:

• English Language grade 5
• Drama (preferably) grade 5 if taken or relevant experience
• Maths

In addition, enthusiasm and ability in practical performance with confidence are required.

What can I do with this qualification?

This qualification particularly complements A Level English Literature due to the text-based analysis side of the course.

It can facilitate your route into university, drama school, or could see you go straight into the theatre in some capacity, perhaps as an apprentice.

You will also develop higher-level transferable skills in terms of speaking, listening, reading, writing and analysing. These skills are sought-after by a whole spectrum of employers.

Course student profiles

Georgia Silver gained a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) where she undertook a degree in Acting. She is now a professional working actor in London.

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