Theatre Studies

Entry requirements

Students will need 5 subjects at level 4 GCSE, or equivalent, including English. It is preferable for them to have taken one of the following : BTEC Level 2 Acting, GCSE Drama or AQA Technical Award in Performing Arts (however not essential). Where candidates don't have a qualification in the above courses they will need to either attend a live audition or produce a digital show reel/audition. 

What will I study

This course has a unique blend of acting and theatre production arts, and students may choose one of these routes. The qualification will provide you with the opportunity to practically explore different styles and methods of acting.

It will provide you with the necessary knowledge and understanding to proceed onto university to further study acting or to pursue a career in drama in education. The course will give you experience in creating your own original work, along with scripted plays and the process of working as part of a theatre company.

Students are able to choose from a range of theatrical practices, including performing, lighting, sound, costume, set design, puppet creation or directing.This course has a unique blend of acting and theatre production arts, and students may choose one of these routes. The qualification will provide you with the opportunity to practically explore different styles and methods of acting.

The course is composed of three components

Component 1: Drama and theatre (written examination)

Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre.

Study of two set plays.

Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

Component 2: Creating Original Drama (Practical )

You will learn about the process of creating devised drama

Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner

Component 3: Making Theatre (Practical )

Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts , each taken from a different play Extract 3 is performed as a final assessed piece. Students may contribute as performer, designer or director

How will I be assessed?

Component 1: Drama and theatre

Written exam: 3 hours Open book

40% of A-level

Component Two: Creating Original Drama (Practical)

Working notebook (40 marks) Devised performance (20 marks) 30% of A-level

Students may contribute to their performance of the devise piece as performer, designer or director

Component 3: Making theatre (Practical)

Reflective report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts Performance of Extract 3 (40 marks)

Reflective report (20 marks) 30% of A-level

Is this subject for me?

This course will appeal to anyone with a strong interest in drama/acting but also if you have a desire to develop and increase your confidence and teamwork skills.

Due to the performance and collaborative nature of the course there will be a requirement for commitment to after school rehearsals and events.

Where can this lead me?

The qualification will provide you with a broad foundation of acting and Production Arts skills which will help enable them to proceed further into acting training or education. This could include a range of drama related degree courses at university or vocational courses at drama schools. You could also consider employment in the performing arts industry through a Production Arts pathway. The course will also enable you to develop vital employment skills such as cognitive and problem-solving skills, intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills (such as self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development).

There are a range of jobs and careers that this course can lead to:

Actor/Actress

Theatre In Education Performer

Drama Arts Officer and Events Organiser Drama Education Specialist/Examiner Drama Therapist

Drama Lecturer/ Academic Researcher Drama Teacher

Public Service professions such as Police, Social Work, Counsellor

Lighting /Sound/costume Designers or technicians/constructors 

Stage Management 

What else is there?

There are numerous high profile performance opportunities which include the National Theatre Connections programme in which you will have the opportunity to work with new scripts and to perform both in The Alan Strong Theatre and at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester.

Participation in performing arts productions in December, February and July.

We also run the annual Performing Arts Tour which takes students overseas to perform in a wide range of venues. 

In addition we run a number of trips and work with guest speakers and participate in a wide array of workshops. These include working with the Chichester Festival Theatre, West End shows and industry professionals.