Drama & Theatre
This course offers you the opportunity to examine all elements of drama and theatre.
Drama & Theatre Studies A Level
You will develop skills in acting, theatrical design, directing, communication, creativity and the ability to work as part of a team. You will study a wide range of different theatrical styles.
What does the course involve?
You will study plays from a practical perspective as well as create your own original work. You will study modern theatre practitioners in addtion to the theory of traditional practitioners.
You will be assessed through practical performances/design work and written work. You will analyse and evaluate your practical understanding of theatre, both professional work and your own performance material. You will develop a detailed understanding of what makes good theatre and how to create it.
Topics covered
Here are some examples of the course units studied:
- Devising New Theatrical Work
- Understanding Performance Texts
- Drama Practitioners
- Acting
- Theatrical Design
- Directing
- Analysing and Evaluating Performances
Facilities and resources
The Drama & Theatre Studies department has outstanding resources.
Performances take place in the Performing Arts Centre. This is a professional standard, fully working theatre with retractable seating for 160 and a state of the art lighting and sound system including intelligent “moving” lights.
Your work will be supported by a sound design technician and theatre manager with responsibility for lighting.
You will have access to the Dance Studio with specialist sprung floor.
The Library has an extensive Performing Arts collection including play texts and drama theory books.
You will have access to the Digital Theatre Plus online archive which contains a wide range of filmed versions of recent West End and International plays and musicals.
Drama Enrichment
The Enrichment area of this website has more information about Drama and performance at Hereford Sixth Form College.
Assessment
Qualification
A Level
Awarding Body
Pearson
Assessment during the course will be through:
- A programme of practical performances.
- Written work analysing your practical understanding of plays, live theatre seen and your own performance work.
Entry Requirements
- Grade 6 or B in GCSE Drama or a Distinction in BTEC Performing Arts or
- Grade 6 or B in English Literature with performance experience as a foundation to build on.
- Students with a grade 5 or C in GCSE Drama who are interested in theatrical design can be admitted after consultation with the Head of Department.
Trips
Theatre trips and workshops are an essential part of this course and are compulsory. You will need to be committed, inventive and open to new forms and styles of theatre.
Trips may be evening or matinee performances.
Costs may vary from a theatre trip to London costing approximately £60 to a local production costing £10.
Career path
Theatre Studies is recognised as a clear indication of high academic and practical achievement.
We have a high success rate of applicants to Russell Group universities and drama schools.
Former students in Drama & Theatre Studies have subsequently gone on to careers in acting, stage management, music, law, politics, psychology, advertising, the media, journalism and teaching.
Students have recently gained places at:
- The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
- The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (three students, on both acting and technical courses)
- Birmingham School of Acting
- Arts Ed
- The Drama Centre
- Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance
- Fourth Monkey Theatre Company
You are taught how to act and the skills and how to write about that, but we are also taught how to be a set designer, costume, light, sound etc, pretty much from day one. There really is something for everyone on this course. If you come on thinking you want to be an actor, great, but people come on thinking they’re gonna be an actor and leave as designers and I think that’s amazing.
Nancy
