Theatre Studies - A Level

Theatre Studies offers you the opportunity to explore and develop your individual interests within the context of theatre. To realise this you will study an extensive range of subjects and skills which make up the world of theatre. These include a variety of acting techniques, exploration of texts, analysis of live theatre, and the study of significant actors, actresses and directors. The course is extremely comprehensive with a mixture of practical and theory based work.

Lansdowne is equipped with a large theatre space, staging, full lighting rig, and regularly hosts student productions.

What will I study in Theatre Studies?

AS Units 1, 2 and 3
Live Theatre Production Seen. You will respond to various aspects of live theatre seen on the course. Productions viewed will include a range of different styles: for example, set text plays performed by professional and fringe companies, physical theatre, etc. You are expected to communicate your understanding of how performers, designers and directors communicate meaning to an audience through detailed consideration of how aspects of the presentation contributed to the total effect of the production seen.

Prescribed Play. You will study one set play in terms of interpretation from a performance perspective. You will assess the play’s potential effectiveness for an audience, taking into account its genre and historical, social and cultural context. You will give consideration to the practical realisation of the themes and issues raised by the play and show understanding of how style, form, dramatic structure and characterisation can be interpreted and realised in performance to create specific effects for an audience.

Presentation of an Extract from a Play. You will work in a group to present for an audience an extract of a published play of your choice. Each group is to be self-contained and totally responsible for all aspects of the presented extract, which should realise clear dramatic intentions for the audience. Most students elect acting as their chosen skill but you could choose a design or technical skill instead.

A2 Units 4, 5 and 6
Further Prescribed Plays including Pre-Twentieth Century: You will study two set texts and interpret these plays from a performance perspective, demonstrating a creative overview of the drama as a whole. You will be required to refer to relevant research into the play, from design ideas to cast direction.

Presentation of a Devised Drama: You will be required to work in a group to present to an audience a devised drama performed in a theatrical style of your choice. Each group is to be self-contained and totally responsible for all aspects of the work, which should realise clear dramatic intentions for an audience. You must nominate for assessment a specific theatre skill: from acting to directing to theatre design.

How will I be assessed?

Practical work will be assessed in relation to acting or other theatre skills criteria. Practical work is internally assessed and externally moderated. The theory is assessed by essay based papers – 1 in the AS year and 1 in the A2 year.

Do I need to have studied Theatre Studies before?

No, but you should be broadly interested in different aspects of drama, have a good imagination, enjoy performing and working as part of a group.

Who will teach me?

Nick Huntington is a BA (Hons) graduate from The University of Lincoln with a PGCE from The University of Buckingham. Nick is also a professional actor, singer and writer having trained at The Actors Company. He has enjoyed a fruitful career performing on stage as well as having success with one of his own plays when it was produced at The King's Head Theatre in London.

Which subjects complement Theatre Studies?

Theatre Studies sits well with all ‘Arts’ subjects, in particular English Literature, Media and Film studies.

Which careers can Theatre Studies lead to?

Theatre Studies is suitable for students planning to enter a wide range of careers such as acting and all other aspects of theatre work. It is also suitable for careers where good communication skills are important.