Ratcliffe College - Sixth Form Handbook

DRAMA & THEATRE
STUDIES
Why choose Drama?
You will learn about a range of
Theatre styles and practitioners
with an emphasis on creating and
re-interpreting theatre from the
point of view of Actor, Director
or Designer. As well as exploring
the dramatic impact of texts
through writing, you will be given
opportunities to explore texts
in practical workshop sessions
and devise performances of your
own. The qualification as a whole
will represent a range of social,
historical and cultural contexts.
There will be opportunities to
develop skills in improvisation,
with an emphasis on small group
work. Consequently, A Level
Drama is a great opportunity
to develop your own personal
confidence, as well as teamwork
skills - both greatly in demand in
the world after school.
Related Subjects
The following subjects may well
compliment your study of Drama;
English would complement the
essay style nature of the written
element, History may help with
social, historical and political
context of plays, whilst visual and
creative subjects like Media, Art,
Design & Technology and Music
have a very strong link with Drama
and Theatre Studies.
Course Requirements
Ideally students will have studied
GCSE Drama and gained a B/6
or above in GCSE Drama and
English. While experience of GCSE
Drama and/or stage performance
will obviously be helpful, many
students have succeeded in A Level
Drama without such previous
experience. Clearly, a degree of
self-confidence is required because
you will be performing in front of
large audiences on a number of
occasions. You should also have a
genuine enjoyment of visiting the
theatre and be open to learning
about different styles of drama.
Further Important Information
Students should be imaginative
thinkers who can develop creative
ideas from the point of view
of actor, director and designer.
They should be able to research
independently and write evaluative
essay style responses. Articulate
expression, good organisational
skills and commitment to rehearsal
schedules are crucial, too.
However, most important of all, is
a great deal of enthusiasm and a
passion for the subject!
Higher Education and Careers
Options
As with any other subject at ‘A’
Level, success in Drama will
open up opportunities in Further
Education. The skills required
for Drama (teamwork, selfdiscipline,
ability to set targets
independently and to meet them,
presentational skills, analytical
and evaluative skills) are exactly
those which employers are looking
for more and more. Candidates
have successfully applied to top
Universities, including Oxford
and Cambridge as well as gaining
places at top Drama Schools such
as, Guilford School of Acting and go
on to study courses such as; Acting,
Theatre studies, Stage/costume
design, creative producing, writing,
directing, technical theatre courses
amongst many others.
Study of drama can lead to a wide
range of careers, due to the wealth
of social skills gained, some of
which may include; Acting for stage
or screen, presenting, journalism,
theatre criticism, designer, costume
maker, light/sound technician,
creative producing, theatre or
events management, Law,
Marketing and Teaching.
-32-