Drama and Theatre Studies

GCE Drama and Theatre Studies (2240)

AS outline

Candidates will gain a knowledge and understanding of theatre practice through their own engagement with the medium as both participant and informed audience member. Candidates will develop performance and/or production skills appropriate to the creation and realisation of drama and theatre.

 

The AS specification has 2 units:

 

Unit 1: Live Theatre Production Seen and Prescribed Play
Topic list
  • Candidates' personal response to live theatre seen during the course
  • Interpretation of a set play from a performance perspective.
Assessment
Written Paper:
1 hour 30 minutes (100 marks)
Weighting:
60% of total AS marks / 30% of total A Level marks

 

One question to be answered from each of two sections:

Section A - response to live theatre seen during the course
Section B - study of one set play from a choice from six plays

Externally set and assessed

Unit 2: Presentation of an Extract from a Play

Topic list
  • Working in groups to develop and present an extract from a published play chosen by the candidates
  • Study of an influential director, designer, theatre company or other practitioner, linked to the candidate's practical work.
Assessment
Practical:
80 marks
Weighting:
40% of total AS marks / 20% of the total A Level marks
Performance by a group of an extract from a published play. The assessment also includes candidates' preparatory and development work and supporting notes.

Internally assessed and externally moderated.
The AS specification has 2 units:

 

Unit 1: Live Theatre Production Seen and Prescribed Play
Topic list
  • Candidates' personal response to live theatre seen during the course
  • Interpretation of a set play from a performance perspective.
Assessment
Written Paper:
1 hour 30 minutes (100 marks)
Weighting:
60% of total AS marks / 30% of total A Level marks
One question to be answered from each of two sections:

Section A - response to live theatre seen during the course
Section B - study of one set play from a choice from six plays

Externally set and assessed
Unit 2: Presentation of an Extract from a Play
Topic list
  • Working in groups to develop and present an extract from a published play chosen by the candidates
  • Study of an influential director, designer, theatre company or other practitioner, linked to the candidate's practical work.
Assessment
Practical:
80 marks
Weighting:
40% of total AS marks / 20% of the total A Level marks
Performance by a group of an extract from a published play. The assessment also includes candidates' preparatory and development work and supporting notes.

Internally assessed and externally moderated.

 

GCE Drama and Theatre Studies (2240)
A2 outline

 

At A2, the specification provides candidates with the opportunity to develop skills and extend and apply knowledge gained at AS level. Candidates will demonstrate a more advanced level of performance and/or production skills alongside the ability to think independently, make judgements and refine their work in the light of research. They will also demonstrate the ability to analyse the ways in which different performance and production elements are brought together to create theatre.
The A2 specification has 2 units:
Unit 3: Further Prescribed Plays including Pre-Twentieth Century
Topic list
  • Study of a set play with a choice from a variety of pre-twentieth century plays
  • Study of a set play with a choice from a variety of twentieth century plays or contemporary drama.
Assessment
Written Paper:
2 hours 100 marks
Weighting:
30% of total A Level marks

 

Study of two further set plays. One question to be answered from each of two sections: Section A: pre-twentieth century plays and Section B: twentieth century or contemporary plays.
Section B is synoptic, requiring suggestions for a complete stage realisation of a short extract from the play printed in the paper.
There is a choice from six plays for each of the two sections.
Externally set and assessed
Unit 4: Presentation of Devised Drama
Topic list
  • Working in groups to develop and present a devised drama, performed in a theatrical style of their choice
  • Research into a theatrical style chosen by the group for their practical work.
Assessment
Practical
80 marks
Weighting:
20% of total A Level marks

 

 

Performance by a group of devised drama. The assessment also includes candidates' preparatory and development work and supporting notes. Synoptic.
Internally assessed and externally moderated
 

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  • Drama and Theatre Studies