Drama and Theatre Studies

Drama and Theatre Studies

Our Subject

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An introduction to Drama
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A Level Drama FAQs

You don’t need GCSE Drama to take Drama and Theatre Studies at Bilborough Sixth Form College. What you will need, though, are a strong level of performance or design, a creative approach to productions and the ability to evaluate a performance. We follow the new Edexcel specification and work in classes of no more than 21 students – usually fewer. You’ll learn in a purpose-built studio theatre with stage lighting and sound, and flexible raked seating to create a variety of performance spaces. We also have an open-air amphitheatre and a specialist technical assistant. You can combine this subject with Performance Studies and / or Dance if you wish. (Drama & Theatre Studies is concerned with the whole area of theatre – including production and performance – whereas Performance Studies is concerned with contemporary dance, music and drama.)

To study Drama and Theatre Studies at Bilborough you need a grade 4 or above in English and Maths GCSE, as well as in Drama if you studied it at GCSE. An interest in the theatre is essential!

Our links with HE

Our department has strong links with higher education institutions that include the Central School of Speech & Drama, Loughborough University, Rose Bruford College, East 15 Acting School and Lakeside Theatre. Several of these institutions have led practical theatre workshops for our students; many of our alumni have gone on to study with them. We are starting a gap year theatre project in association with successful alumni Yvez McKenzie (currently Understudy Director at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield and a former Commonwealth Ambassador) and Edward Boott (founder of Nonsuch Theatre Company).


Course Structure

Module 1—practitioners in practice

This component is designed to allow learners to explore practically the work of theatre practitioners and to use the skills gained to explore text and create devised theatre. Learners are required to practically explore two practitioners and an extract from a performance text. This component is practically based allowing learners to explore and experience the key ideas and methodologies in theatre. Learners are required to use the skills they have acquired throughout the component to create a piece of devised theatre.

Module 2 – Exploring texts for performance

The aim of this component is to use acting skills to communicate the meaning in a performance text to an audience. Learners are required to study one performance text in its entirety and work collaboratively to perform part of the text.

Module 3 – Analysing performance

The aim of Section B is to allow learners to analyse and evaluate live theatre. Learners will explore how characters can be interpreted and developed ready for a performance. This component is assessed through a written exam but preparation must include practical study.

Module 4 – deconstructing texts

Learners will explore the creative possibilities of staging the chosen performance text. This component is assessed through a written exam but preparation must consist of practical study. Learners are required to explore the performance text practically through the role of the director. Learners will deconstruct the text and explore how any of its scenes can be staged and performed for an audience. Learners will analyse and interpret the performance text in depth.


Inspiration

Former Bilborough College students can be seen on TV, at the Royal Shakespeare Company and working in stage management, production management and as theatrical agents. One of our past students is currently appearing as Mufasa (Simba’s father) in The Lion King in the West End and another is Casting Director for the West End production of Mamma Mia. Arsher Ali went onto study at East 15 Acting School and can be seen in the films 4 Lions and Complicit. You can read his story at This Is Nottingham.







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