JOINT Theatre & Drama

Wakefield Girls’ High School

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

Wakefield

Course Guide

A-level

Drama and Theatre

Drama and Theatre Studies

Background and Qualifications

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”

– Oscar Wilde

Drama is about exploring human experience and the theatre should be a place where people of all backgrounds are entertained and enlightened. In both comedy and tragedy, drama has been used throughout history as a forum to explore the issues, people and stories that fascinate us.

Today the theatre industry employs thousands of skilled creatives and artists, some of whom work in the associated fields of television and film. From writers and actors, to stage managers and lighting designers, the UK is recognised around the world for its highly skilled theatre and film workforce.

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?

Students taking this course do not need necessarily to have taken Drama at GCSE. Students who already have some performing arts experience will have the opportunity to extend their understanding and technique. As well as acting, there are technical options available for the practical assessment, such as lighting, sound design, prop making and other skills.

Course Description

What will I learn on this A-level course?

You will learn about the history of theatre and performance, and you should expect to gain an understanding of the various styles and forms of theatre that have developed over the centuries.

You will study a play and explore it practically in the drama studio, experimenting, discussing and justifying choices in performance, either from an acting or technical perspective.

You will also have the opportunity to view live theatre and discuss the choices that are made in bringing a production to the stage. You will be taught how to think critically about performance and production aspects and how they have an impact on the audience.

Your group will present performed extracts from other plays, using ideas established by particular directors or practitioners, either as an actor or technician.

For A Level, you will also have the opportunity to devise and make your own theatre, taking on the influences of a particular director, theatre company or influential figure.

What kind of student is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for students who are creative and keen on working with others. Those students who tend to do well are open-minded, full of ideas and committed and supportive to a team ethos. Students who have some performance experience will also do well.

Use of Course and Qualifications

What could I go on to do at the end of this course?

There are many performing arts related courses available in higher education, some performance, others more technically based, with other courses offering a comprehensive performance and production mix.

The theatre, television and film industry employs many thousands of skilled technicians and artists every year and a background in performance at school and university is a key requirement.

Actors and performers work at every level of the industry, and employment in this area is highly competitive.

More usually, employers and admissions tutors recognise the highly useful soft skills of communication, innovation, presentation and co-operation that a performing arts course encourages. In most cases, communication and creativity are necessary to advance to the highest level in any career.

Student Testimonial

Year 13 student

Proposed University

Course: Drama and Theatre

I felt a huge sense of achievement putting our finished drama project in front of an audience. We worked really hard together to produce something that looked polished and engaged the audience and we got really great feedback from those who watched it. Some of them were amazed that we’d pulled it off!

WGHS Senior School (Girls 11-18 years)

Wentworth Street

Wakefield WF1 2QS

Telephone: 01924 372 490

Email: office@wghsss.org.uk

Twitter: @WGHSYorkshire

QEGS Senior School (Boys 11-18 years)

154 Northgate Wakefield WF1 3QX

Telephone: 01924 373 943

Email: office@qegsss.org.uk

Twitter: @QEGSYorkshire

www.wgsf.org.uk