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GCSE Drama

GCSE Drama inspires creativity, personal growth, self-confidence, communication and analytical skills through the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding and the exercise of the imagination.

The Eduqas GCSE in Drama is an engaging and practical course. At St Edmund’s, GCSE Drama promotes involvement in and enjoyment of drama, as performers and/or designers.

Additionally, this GCSE provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop skills as informed and thoughtful audience members.

GCSE Drama offers a broad and coherent course of study that develops skills in:

  • Applying knowledge and understanding when making, performing and responding to drama.
  • Exploring performance texts, understanding their social, cultural and historical context including the theatrical conventions of the period in which they were created.
  • Developing a range of theatrical skills and apply them to create performances.
  • Working collaboratively to generate, develop and communicate ideas.
  • Developing as creative, effective, independent and reflective learners able to make informed choices in process and performance.
  • Contributing as an individual to a theatrical performance.
  • Reflecting on and evaluating work produced and the work of others.
  • Developing an awareness and understanding of the roles and processes undertaken in contemporary professional theatre practice.
  • Adopting safe working practices.

Students who enjoy this course enjoy thinking creatively about a broad range of subjects. Drama provides the opportunity to capitalise upon many areas of interest and use these to enhance the work of the performer. There are opportunities to develop leadership skills, manage projects and excel in one or two particular areas of expertise.

 

Head of Department Mrs N Schiff
Syllabus Eduqas GCSE (9-1) in Drama

Course structure

 

Component 1: Devising theatre (40%)

Learners will be assessed on either acting or design.

Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre using either the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or a genre, in response to a stimulus set by Eduqas. Learners must produce:

  • a realisation of their piece of devised theatre.
  • a portfolio of supporting evidence.
  • an evaluation of the final performance or design.
Component 2: Performing from a text (20%)
  • Learners will be assessed on either acting or design.
  • Learners study two extracts from the same performance text.
  • Learners participate in one performance using sections of text from both extracts.
Component 3: Interpreting theatre (40%)

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

Section A: Set Text

A series of questions on one set text from a choice of five:

  1. The Tempest, William Shakespeare
  2. The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Bertolt Brecht
  3. Hard to Swallow, Mark Wheeller
  4. War Horse, Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford
  5. DNA, Dennis Kelly

Section B: Live Theatre Review

One question, from a choice of two, requiring analysis and evaluation of a given aspect of a live theatre production seen during the course

Students who enjoy this course enjoy thinking creatively about a broad range of subjects. Drama provides the opportunity to capitalise upon many areas of interest and use these to enhance the work of the performer.

Future paths

This course prepares students for A Level Drama, whilst building a breadth of academic skills and developing confidence, collaboration and public speaking skills.

Drama opens up pathways into careers across the creative industry, which generates +£91 billion a year in the UK economy. Future options span everything from media and fashion to design and management, not to mention careers in acting, stage management, or theatre administration and production.

Creative life at St Ed's