Drama

Head of Drama - Mr G Ball 

GCSE DRAMA

“With confidence, you have won before you have started.”  Marcus Garvey

GCSE Drama at Tarleton Academy is viewed as a highly skills-based field of study that demands strong discipline and commitment. Students will initially explore differing forms of improvisation to help build class dynamics and performance confidence. The course then progresses through study of various theatre practitioners to deepen students’ knowledge and practical application of their own performance work. Scripted work is also studied and performed.   Numerous practical assessment units will be completed with the strongest two chosen for final submission. There will also be an opportunity for at least one live theatre production to be seen.

Examination Specification and Details
Year 10 and 11: AQA GCSE Drama Syllabus 4240.

Practical Coursework 60%:
Presentation and Process. Two units can be chosen for completion on the course including:
Acting, Devised Thematic Work, Improvisation and Theatre in Education.

Written Examination 40%:
Section A: Practical work completed during the course(compulsory question).

THEN EITHER
Section B: Questions based upon the study and performance of a scripted play.

OR

Section C: Questions based upon the study of a live performance seen during the course.

Year 9

The Year 9 syllabus serves as a wide-ranging introduction to the study and performance of theatre and drama. Through performance tasks and mini projects, key performance skills are developed.

• Voice
• Facial Expression
• Movement
• Use of Space
• Gesture/body language

Key concepts and stylistic features are explored through a range of themed topics such as.

Naturalism/Non-naturalism
Theatre of the Absurd
Brecht/Stanislavski techniques

In addition, technical elements are introduced

• Sound
• Lighting
• Properties
• Make-up