Examination Board : Edexcel
Link to Specification : http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCE New GCE/spec-gce-drama.pdf
Units Taken : See Below

The course is rooted to the practical application of dramatic theories in relation to acting, designer, devising and directing. From Stanislavksi to Brecht, Berkoff to Brook, Kane to Artaud: you will exploit the ideas and concepts of key players in theatrical history to make and develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of Drama and Theatre Studies.

AS Unit 1 Exploration of Drama and Theatre - explore two plays and review a play
AS Unit 2 Theatre Text in Performance - perform as an ensemble in a play
A2 Unit 3 Devising Theatre - create a play
A2 Unit 4 Theatre Text in Context - direct a play and respond to historical context of a play

As an Actor, you will develop the vocal and movement skills that impact on the range of characters you are able to perform. As a Designer, you will root your ideas about set, lighting and costume firmly in a concept that communicates the impact of the plays social, cultural, historical and political context. As a Director, you will lead your actors through a series of rehearsals based on your own vision of a set text, as well as compare the performance of a Shakespeare play with its original performance conditions.

The work you will undertake challenges you physically, emotionally and intellectually. You will develop as a reflective practitioner to understand more deeply the impact on dramatic in our society in a local, national and international context.

Entry Requirements (all A2 subjects carry a minimum requirement of a D-grade AS level)

The school offer for entry is 5 GCSEs at B Grade and above with English Language or Literature and Mathematics at A* - C grade.

We require GCSE Drama A* - B.

Entry Suggestions

Passion. Energy. Determination. Discipline. Creativity. Collaboration.

If you are made an offer and meet the required grade, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:


Task 1 Monologues: Prepare a Shakespearean and contemporary monologue lasting 2 minutes each. Write 500 words about what you want to communicate about the character to the audience.

Task 2 Write a 1000 word theatre review on a piece of live theatre you have seen. Not a copy of a GCSE theatre review.

Task 3 Write 500 words each about the following five practitioners, focusing on how each practitioner has had an impact on contemporary theatre practice and/or performance: Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud, Berkoff, Brook.

Resources needed for this course (Books, Field-trips etc)

AS Drama and Theatre Studies Liverpool Residential £140.

Contact the Drama and Theatre Studies Department and we will email you the reading list.