Drama and Theatre Studies

Syllabus: WJEC/Eduqas

1 - Why study Drama and Theatre studies?

Drama and Theatre is an exciting and inspiring course which prepares learners for further study in Higher Education. It gives students the opportunity to work as performers and/or designers on three different performances, reinterpreting, and creating texts. Drama and Theatre students become excellent communicators and creative thinkers with the skills to plan and work independently and as part of a team.

Live theatre is an integral part of the course. Students are offered regular opportunities to see live theatre. For Component 3 students must refer to at least 3 performances they have seen and discuss how these experiences have informed their own stage and technical designs and acting, directing choices.

2 - What will you study? 

Year 12

Key practitioners including Katie Mitchell, Emma Rice and Polly Teale - exploring their theories, looking at their practise and applying their theories and techniques to our own performance pieces.

Key texts that cover a range of time period and style of theatre. You will be exploring these plays within their cultural context and exploring their relevance to a contemporary audience.

Component 1: Theatre Workshop

Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text chosen from a list supplied by WJEC. The piece must be developed using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company.

Year 13

Component 2: text in action

Learners will be assessed on either acting or design.

Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus supplied by WJEC:

1. a devised piece using the techniques and working methods of either an influential theatre practitioner or a recognised theatre company (a different practitioner or company to that chosen for Component
2. an extract from a text in a different style chosen by the learner.

​Learners must realise their performance live for the visiting examiner. Learners choosing design must also give a 5-10 minute presentation of their design to the examiner.

Study of Set texts
Practical exploration of the three set texts in preparation for component 3.

Component 3: Text in performance

Learners answer a series of questions relating to their study of three set texts. Questions will cover the following areas:

• Staging
• Directing
• Acting
• Set design
• Lighting and sound design
• Costume design

3 - How will you be assessed? 

Component 1: Theatre Workshop - Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated: 20% of qualification

Component 2: Text in Action
Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner
40% of qualification

Component 3: Text in Performance Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes 40% of qualification

4 - What skills will you develop?

• develop and apply an informed, analytical framework for making, performing, interpreting and understanding drama and theatre
• understand the place of relevant theoretical research in informing the processes and practices involved in creating theatre and the place of practical exploration in informing theoretical knowledge of drama and theatre
• develop an understanding and appreciation of how the social, cultural and historical contexts of performance texts have influenced the development of drama and theatre
• understand the practices used in twenty-first century theatre making
• experience a range of opportunities to create theatre, both published text-based and devised work
• participate as a theatre maker and as an audience member in live theatre
• understand and experience the collaborative relationship between various roles within theatre
• develop and demonstrate a range of theatre making skills
• develop the creativity and independence to become effective theatre makers
• adopt safe working practices as a theatre maker
• analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of others.

5 - What makes a good Drama and Theatre studies student?

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work independently and organise your own time
• Ability to develop creative ideas
• Ability to have autonomy over your own learning
• Ability to encourage and support others
• Good communication skills

6 - Where can Drama and theatre studies lead?

Our Drama students have gone on to a range of Universities including Oxbridge and Russell group universities. Whilst some are studying drama or acting most have gone on to study a wide range of subjects, including science-based degrees. Students now work in a very wide range of professions including medicine, law, finance and the performing arts industries.

7 - Reading list and preparation

Seeing any live performance is going to help prepare you for studying drama and theatre. Many theatres run programmes for young people, especially over summer.