4th and 5th Form Studies Guide - Aiglon College

Drama(drama@aiglon.ch) www.aiglon.ch/dramaGCSE Specification: AQA 3241Why Drama?To study Drama is to study what it is to be human. It is a subject which helps students to understand themselves,and the world in which they live, better. Another excellent reason for studying Drama is that it is enormous funand it offers fantastic challenges and life-changing experiences. Students will get to put on productions of playsand devised work and also visit the theatre to see wonderful performances.Drama at GCSE can also provide a much needed break from lessons in which most of the time is spent sat behinda desk. Sometimes it’s good to get up and do something!How is Drama taught?Drama is taught in three periods each week, by two full-time Drama specialists. Practical classes are taught inExeter Hall and the Drama Studio. There is very close working relationship shared between the staff and students.Those who choose to study Drama are very proud and happy to do so at Aiglon.Drama is hard work. Students will be pushed to excel in all of the areas of the course. Your use of language willbe enhanced, your literacy and ability to read and write an essay will be improved and above all, your confidencein solving problems and making things happen will be transcended.Some of the lessons in Drama will be in the classroom but most of the time we work practically. To cope with thedemands in the course, students need to have a real enthusiasm for theatre and must be willing to activelyparticipate in all practical sessions.It is an essential part of studying Drama that one visits the theatre and the department organises visits to Londonto see some of the best Theatre in some of the most exciting performance places in the world.The department also plans to arrange future trips to Broadway, New York, the Edinburgh Festival and the NationalStudent Drama Festival in Scarborough.Who takes Drama?“Not everyone is going to be an actor, even at the G.C.S.E. level, but nowadays everyone needs drama skills inone form or another. This is the age of the 'presentation' where products and ideas are sold in a competitivemarket-place by the strength of the presenter and his powers of delivery. The scientist, the businessman, theengineer, the bank manager, the retail executive, the designer, none are exempt.”Jeni Whittaker, Teacher.Drama offers training in essential skills in what is an age of presentation, where products and ideas are sold in themarket place by the strength of presentation and the power of delivery and execution. Drama trains, develops andnurtures these very skillsThe Department has a tradition of producing excellent productions and training student skills in physical and vocalperformance to a very sophisticated level.The Department has strong links with both the Music and Dance Departments and Drama students areencouraged and expected to participate in and learn about all performance arts.The Aiglon Drama Department is committed to producing students who are well trained in using their voice andphysicality to communicate successfully. It is also a great concern that students learn to write clearly, intellectuallyand analytically; a life skill that will help all students in whatever they do in the future.In short, Drama is a subject suitable for anyone who is interested in what it means to be human.Aiglon 4th and 5th Form Studies Guide 2013-14 17