1. Introduction to A Level Drama & Theatre Studies

2. Equipment
Comfy clothes you can move in (please be aware this won’t fit with the dress code so you may need to get changed)
Pen, highlighter and pencil for every lesson
A4 work pad
Folder – dividers, tabs – you will study 4 different plays
Antigone, Love of the Nightingale and Frankenstein

3. Transition work Practitioner research file – Brecht/Stan/Aruad/Berkoff
Modern Practitioner research file - DV8/Katie Mitchell/Paper Birds/Punch Drunk/Splendid/Kneehigh/Gecko /Pina Baush
Watch a documentary – Be prepared to discuss in first lesson
Watch 4 videos on National Theatre YouTube – again you will need to be prepared to discuss this in your first lesson

4. OCR A Level Drama! We have chosen to complete the A Level Course
This will take place over 2 years
You will complete 1 formal assessment this year
We will prep for the final examinations in year 12 and complete the rest of the assessment in year 13

5. Component 1: Practitioners in Practice
Worth 40% of your whole A Level and is worth 120 marks
Internally assessed by the department, filmed and moderated by OCR
We study a range of practitioners from the 20th century right up to modern day.
We will look at an extract from a text and explore practically looking at two practitioners in particular. From this work you will create a research report that will show your understanding of the practitioners we have studied in class. This is worth 30 marks
You will then create a devised performance influenced by your exploration of your two chosen practitioners. This is performed before Christmas and is an official mark for your A Level. Alongside this you will put a short document together that explains your artistic intentions. This is worth 40 marks
You will also produce a portfolio that evidences your practical process and how you developed your ideas in class. This portfolio will also evaluate the work of others. This is worth 50 marks

6. Component 2: Exploring & Performing Texts
Worth 20% and is worth 60 marks
This is an externally examined assessment and will be performed between February and March We will start this at the beginning of year 13.
You will be given a play and you will perform an extract from this text in groups (between 3 and 8 in a group).
This is a bare bones acting exam that looks at developing concept and creation of character.
You will submit a short form that outlines your creative decisions. This is worth 10 marks
The performance will be performed to a visiting examiner and is worth 50 marks

7. Component 3: Analysing Performance
This unit is 20% and worth 60 marks (Section B – 30  Section B - 30)
This is a written exam that will happen in Summer 2020 and is 2hours and 15 mins
Section A: We will pick a theme from OCR and explore two texts practically in class. We will look how we can interpret and rehearse a text.
Section B: This is a live theatre review, we will go and see a show at the start of the year and you will write this review in the exam.
We will start prep for this in year 12

8. Component 4: Deconstructing texts for performance
This is 20% and worth 60 marks
This is a written exam that will take place in Summer 2020 and is 1 hour and 45 minutes
We will explore a text as a class and look closely at the role of the director.
We will deconstruct the text and explore how we could stage it considering lots of different areas.
We will start prep for this in year 12

9. The department’s top tips!
This is a really challenging but exciting course that will show you how theatre makers today approach staging theatre as well as looking at theatre of the past. Here are just a few top tips to help you along…
Stay on top of deadlines! If you miss a key deadline there are sanctions – please keep open communication with us if you are struggling.
Throw yourself into every lesson – sometimes things might seem a bit scary, but that’s good!
Talk to your teachers if you are struggling or unhappy.
Use and check SMHW regularly!
Support each other – you’re all here for many reasons, but a love of drama is something you all have in common.
See as much theatre as you can! We will run trips but there is loads of local stuff on too. We will keep you updated if anything exciting is on.
Read plays… There is so much amazing stuff out there, get reading and expand your knowledge!
Don’t fear theatre of the past…!

10. Practitioners in Practise
The first assessment is a devising performance which has been inspired by two practitioners.
We spend the first few weeks exploring familiar practitioners in more detail as well as learning about new ones.
As well as creating your devised performance you will also need to submit a research report about your practitioners so understanding the theory behind their work is really important

11. Today
Create a performance based on the theatre company DV8

12. Can We Talk About This? 2011

13. Research
Read the information given to you and pick out 5 key things

14. Technique
Inside on the Outside
Flocking

15. Grenfell DV8 specialise in Verbatim Theatre
Therefore I’m not giving you a script, but a transcript from the Grenfell Tower enquiry
You need to perform this script in the style of DV8 using the technique I have taught you, techniques you saw in the video as well as the research you have been given.