Drama GCSE (Production Arts)

What is the main aim of the course?

Do you love designing? Are you interested in Lighting, Set, Costume, Prop making? Do you like working as part of a group, sharing and creating ideas together? If the answer is yes then this is the course for you.

GCSE Drama (Production Arts) will allow you to practically explore and develop your design and making skills in all aspects of the production of theatre. You will also have the opportunity to work with actors to create the Production elements for them to perform some of the key moments of texts to small studio audiences. You will work as part of production companies to create your own new and exciting pieces of work based on different themes and stimuli which you will then perform. 

During your GCSE Drama (Production Arts) course we will study plays with themes such as families, relationships, witchcraft, betrayal, friendship, trust and hope. You will have the chance to express your creativity through practical workshops on design and construction in Lighting , Sound, Set , Prop, Costume . You will also have the opportunity of watching live theatre and experiencing the world class theatre of the West End and Glyndebourne Opera House and to meet industry professionals and see backstage. 

What will you learn?

During the course you will learn:
How to devise and create new and exciting work developing design skills.
Develop skills in design and operation/construction of: Costume, Lighting, Set, Props, Sound
How to interpret text and bring a script to life, developing all the necessary skills for bringing the page to the stage.

Develop group work and communication skills working in small production companies with the Performing arts students in order to understand all the aspects of putting on your own show.
Understand the motivation of characters and why they behave in particular ways and how this can be expressed through Production Arts elements. 

Develop analytical writing skills which you can then use in other subjects and for A level.
Learn how to reflect and evaluate live performance.

(Please note if you have a preference for a particular job role you can specialise in that job role for all components) 

How is the course assessed?

The course is separated into 3 Components:

Component 1: Devising (40%). You will be working as part of a small group where you will be given a stimuli to create a new performance piece. You will choose the Production Arts job role that you would like to have for the project. You will be assessed by completing a portfolio of evidence of your rehearsal process and a final performance of the piece itself which will be filmed. 

Component 2: Performance from text (20%). You will study a set text and as part of a small group you will perform 2 key extracts from that text. You will choose the Production Arts job role that you wish to have for this project. 

Component 3: Theatre makers in practice (40%) One 1hr 45 written examination. Section 3A a choice of questions based on a set text. Section 3B an extended answer question based on a piece of Live Theatre that you have seen. 

How does this course connect to the world of work and allow students to reach ambitious destinations?

Production Arts is a key subject for many interesting and high attaining jobs. Alongside industry jobs such as: Lighting Technician and design, Sound Technician and designer, Costume Technician and designer, Properties Management, Stage Management, TV/film production, Set design and construction, Front of House, Directing, it is also a subject which can give you very valuable transferable skills such as : Confidence, team work skills, analytical writing, compromise, understanding people’s behaviour, empathy, time management, creative thinking that are essential for many jobs such as: 
- Lawyer 
- Teacher 
- Public services 
- Social work 
- Medical professions 
- Customer service 
- Recruitment
- Management

Who do you need to contact if you have any further questions about this course?

Miss Venn, avenn@srwa.co.uk.