In order to study Drama and Theatre A Level, students should have at least a grade B in Drama IGCSE, although exceptions can be made. If a student has not taken the IGCSE in Drama but wishes to study the A Level, their English Literature IGCSE grade will be looked at, and they may be asked to deliver a monologue as an audition.
Drama and Theatre is a challenging, exciting A Level which combines practical performance elements with the evaluation of theatre texts and productions. It allows students to develop not only their creative talent in drama, but also their analytical skills.
You will expand your abilities as a performer, developing skills in devising original drama and delivering interpretations of a variety of challenging roles. You will get the chance to work in groups, sharing ideas and improving your ability to think independently and imaginatively.
This will also reinforce your creativity, listening skills and teamwork. You will develop your confidence and communication skills. You will become a more proficient public speaker, and more aware of how to use your voice and physicality to express emotion and convey your ideas.
You will learn how to think and write like a director and designer, building your understanding of important theatre practitioners, as well as your technical knowledge of lighting, set and costume design.
You will watch a wide range of live theatre productions over the two years of the course, learning how to evaluate and analyse the performance and design choices of theatre professionals.
Drama and Theatre works as a complementary subject for English Literature, Art, History and Modern Languages, but it can be taken by anyone who would like to continue challenging themselves on both a creative and analytical level.
Students will study three components over the course of the two-year A Level:
The Drama and Theatre A Level will develop a range of very useful transferable skills, particularly in terms of communication, language and teamwork. These will be valuable for university degrees in business/management, as well as humanities courses like International Relations, History and Geography.
Students who study this A Level may go on to further work and study in the creative arts (including theatre, film and television), or they could work in arts and events management, PR and advertising, journalism or law.